AGA NLT 2026

W101: Opening Plenary Session: Make the Hard Stuff Easy: Accelerate Collaboration to Transform Challenges into Competitive Advantage (Room Atrium Hall)

18 Feb 26
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Tracks: FOS: PD (Personal Development)

Speaker(s): Gabe Karp, Renowned Productive Conflict Expert & Bestselling Author;

Moderator(s): Ann Ebberts, CEO, AGA; Mark Mitchell, AGA 2025-2026 National President

Conflict is often unavoidable, but when handled well, it can become the catalyst for stronger partnerships, accelerated collaboration and lasting competitive advantage. Speaker Gabe Karp reframes “the hard stuff” as a tool for collaborative growth rather than something to fear. Attendees will learn practical, easy-to-apply strategies to detox unhealthy interactions, transform uncomfortable situations into opportunities for growth and build cultures of psychological safety that fuel collaboration and performance.