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HeadWaters 25th Anniversary
Call for Speakers
Upstream Academy is celebrating 25 years of leadership development for top accounting firms. 
We invite you to be part of this milestone event.  We are currently seeking engaging, experienced speakers
to share insights that inspire and equip accounting leaders for the next 25 years.
Speaker Application Form

Last year’s conference brochure

HeadWaters Conference

25th Anniversary Event

Legacy in Motion: Charting the Next 25 Years of Leadership


July 16-17, 2026 at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Widely regarded as one of the best firm management conferences, HeadWaters is held each July and draws partners and others in leadership positions from firms across the United States and Canada.    

Information on this Speaking Opportunity

Location Information

📅 July 16–17, 2026

📍 Chicago, IL

🎤 Hosted by Upstream Academy

Who will Attend?

HeadWaters is attended by managing partners, shareholders, firm administrators, and current and future leaders.

Ideal Speaker Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in or with the accounting profession
  • A unique topic that fits well with the conference theme
  • Proven experience speaking in front of audiences
  • Passion for developing leaders and advancing the profession

Presentation Opportunities

Selected speakers will receive:

  • Exposure to firm leaders from the US and Canada
  • Complimentary conference registration

Possible Topics

Possible topic areas include (but are not limited to):

  • Future trends in accounting and firm leadership
  • Building sustainable firm cultures
  • Innovation, technology, and our evolving profession
  • Leadership lessons from the past with a view toward the future
  • Developing the next generation of leaders

Speaker Benefits

Selected speakers will receive:

  • Exposure to firm leaders from the US and Canada
  • Complimentary conference registration

 

Please Note: This is not a paid speaking engagement

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
  • Speakers Informed of Decisions: November 3, 2025 
  • Conference Dates: July 16–17, 2026

Questions

Email questions to [email protected].

Speaker Application Form

Past Conference Brochures

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2025

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2024

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2023

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2022

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2019

HeadWaters Leadership Conference 2018