Designed exclusively for current ACE Peer Group members and alumni, this three-day event is a rare opportunity to take a deep dive into a particular topic and to network with an incredible group of leaders who’ll dramatically broaden your perspective.
In addition to interactive educational sessions led by McFarlin Stanford and the Grow Group executive coaches, we’ll learn directly from hotel staff !
2025 ACE connect: Deatils to Come!
See below for what we did in 2024!
"When I first signed up to go to the ACE Summit, I thought it would be a nice mini-vacation. It was that and a lot more. The time I got to spend with other ACEs was just as valuable as the presentations.”
Brian Strathmeyer, Strathmeyer Landscape, Dover, PA
2024 ace summit
agenda
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2024
1:00 P.M. Please plan for flight arrivals before 1:00 P.M. to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) or any day prior.
3:00 P.M.
All: Registration Opens
4:00 P.M.
All: All Aboard
Marty Grunder, President and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co.
Chris Psencik, Partner & Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
5:00 P.M.
All: New Orleans and Intro to Speakers & Our Sponsors
Jim Cali and Jason New, Founding Principals, McFarlin Stanford
5:20 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
All: State of the ACEs: Past, Present, and Future
Power of Group in the Room – and Prospective ACE’s
Vince Torchia, Vice President, The Grow Group
6:30 P.M.
Welcome Reception, Dinner & Awards – Four Seasons New Orleans
Spouses and guests included
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024
8:00 A.M.
All attendees: Getting Buy-In while Using your teams Strengths – A Case Study of Hidden Creek
Tracy Wallingford & Megan Parker, Executive Leadership Coaches, McFarlin Stanford
9:30 A.M.
Breakout Room 1
All attendees: Phantom Stock - What to know before you Ghost your team
Jennifer Murray, Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 2
All attendees: Crew Leadership in 2025: 10 Must Have operational skills for construction and maintenance
Jason New, Founding Principal, McFarlin Stanford
Tommy Cole, Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 3
All attendees: How to set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Barrett Chow, Executive Coach, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 4
All attendees: Finding the Funny in Winning: How to lead with Confidence and a Swagger
Michael Bosco and Kevin Keim, Executive Coaches, McFarlin Stanford
10:30 A.M.
For Owners and CEOs only: ACEs by the Numbers: Where Do You Stand?
Plimsoll Ballroom
Liz Helton, CFO, McFarlin Stanford
Steven Allie, Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 2
All attendees: Case Study: What you can learn from an award-winning facility
Tommy Cole, Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 3
All attendees: Effective Onboarding for New Team Members
Barrett Chow, Executive Coach, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 4
All attendees: Active Pest Management in Landscapes
Michael Bosco & Dauphin Ewart, Executive Coaches, McFarlin Stanford
11:30 A.M.
Group Photo
Stairwell from street Level up to Vue New Orleans
Spouses and guests included
11:50 A.M.
All - Enjoy New Orleans on your own
Noon
VIP Event (Separate Ticketed Event – See Registration Form for Costs)
National World War II Museum
4:00 P.M. VIP - First Bus returns from Museum
4:45 P.M. VIP - Final bus returns from Museum
6:30 P.M.
Second Line to Dinner
7:00 P.M.
Creole Queen Departs
9:30 P.M.
Creole Queen Returns
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024
8:00 A.M.
Breakout Room 1
All attendees: Tales from the “Dark” Side: Lessons from those who have sold their business
Jennifer Murray, Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 2
All attendees: Everyday I’m Hustlin: How to be proactive on relationship building and sales
Chris Psencik, Partner & Vice President, McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 3
All attendees: Marketing Agency Red Flags: How to avoid costly mistakes
John Dalton, CMO McFarlin Stanford
Breakout Room 4
All attendees: Imposter Syndrome - A Big Hairy Aggressive GORILLA Getting in his own way
Megan Parker & Tracy Wallingford, Executive Coaches, McFarlin Stanford
9:00 A.M.
All: Working Better Across Generations: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
Plimsoll Ballroom
Moderated by Vince Torchia with Gen X Tommy Cole, Millennial Barrett Chow, and Gen Z Paul Myers
9:30 A.M.
All: The Four Seasons New Orleans Hotel Team
Comparative Anatomy – A five star hotel: How we learn lessons from the best and bring those learnings to our teams
11:00 AM
All: Best Practices Panel: From our 2024 Award Winners, ACE Team Initiatives That Delivered Results
Jim Cali & Jason New, Founding Principals, McFarlin Stanford
11:30 A.M.
All: The Wrap-Up & Take-A-Ways
Marty Grunder, President and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co.
NOON
Departure
2:00 P.M. Please plan for flight departures after 2:00 P.M. from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) or anytime over the weekend – Four Seasons Room Rate good through Monday, November 18th.
2024 event details:
Registration Fees:
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Current ACE Members: The registration fee is included in your annual ACE membership, but you still need to sign up for the event so we can plan accordingly. Hotel and travel costs are not included.
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ACE Alumni: $1,695 per person
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Leadership Team Members: $1,695 per person
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Spouse or Guest: US$995 per person
Registration includes the welcome reception, dinner both nights, and breakfast both mornings. Hotel, travel, and other meals are not included. There are not refunds available for tickets.
Hotel arrangements:
The event will be held at The Montage in Park City, UT.
We will reserve your room for you when we receive your registration.
You will receive a room confirmation once the accommodation list is finalized.
Questions?
We’re always happy to answer them. E-mail peer.groups@mcfarlinstanford.com