Leading a lab today means navigating tighter budgets, higher expectations, and rapidly changing technology. The 2026 Lab Manager Leadership Summit is your chance to step away from daily pressures and find the solutions, tools, and strategies to meet those challenges head-on.
The Leadership Summit returns April 20–22, 2026, at the Gila River Resorts & Casinos—Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Arizona. Now in its sixth year, the in-person Summit stands as the premier event for laboratory managers, directors, and senior leaders who want to strengthen their leadership skills, connect with peers, and return to their organizations with strategies that deliver real impact.
For 20 years, Lab Manager has been producing content and events specifically designed to support lab managers in every stage of their career. Building on that legacy, the 2026 Leadership Summit delivers a program that is more dynamic, interactive, and actionable than ever before.
What’s new in 2026
The Leadership Summit has always been about practical insights and peer-to-peer learning. This year, several exciting enhancements make the program even more valuable for attendees:
Diverse, interactive sessions
The 2026 Summit introduces a new level of variety to the program. Attendees will engage in expert-led presentations, collaborative roundtables, lively panels, and new breakout sessions that foster small-group discussion and hands-on activities. This mix of formats ensures you are not just listening but actively participating—leaving with deeper insights and strategies you can put into practice immediately.
More workshop offerings
By popular demand, the Summit now features an expanded lineup of workshops to kick off the first day. Covering a range of topics—management, safety, technical operations, and more—these sessions provide practical, skills-based learning opportunities tailored to your needs. Whether you are a new manager or a seasoned leader, there is a workshop designed for you.
A resort-style experience
Professional development should also be energizing. This year’s Summit venue—the Gila River Resorts & Casinos—Wild Horse Pass—offers attendees the chance to recharge in a resort-style setting. Enjoy stunning desert views, poolside relaxation, and on-site amenities, creating the perfect balance of retreat and intensive learning.
Content for senior leaders
The program also introduces advanced content designed specifically for experienced leaders. These sessions focus on the complex challenges facing today’s senior lab managers and directors, including multi-site operations, strategic decision-making, and navigating economic and regulatory pressures. You’ll gain insights that speak directly to the realities of high-level leadership.
Why you should attend
Laboratory leadership today requires more than technical expertise. It demands strong communication skills, a business mindset, and the ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty. The Leadership Summit is built to equip you with exactly that.
Current managers will find strategies to tackle pressing issues like staffing, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. Senior leaders will benefit from advanced discussions on cost efficiency, business-minded decision-making, scalable capital planning, and protecting sensitive scientific data. Aspiring leaders will gain early exposure to leadership frameworks and tools that accelerate their growth.
Attendees leave the Leadership Summit not just with inspiration, but with concrete takeaways:
- Actionable strategies for managing people, processes, and resources
- Peer-tested solutions to common challenges faced by labs across industries
- Fresh perspectives from expert speakers and fellow leaders
- Networking connections that extend beyond the event
Building on a strong foundation
The Leadership Summit reflects two decades of Lab Manager’s dedication to the laboratory leadership community. For 20 years, we have produced trusted editorial content, training resources, and events specifically for lab managers. The Summit, now entering its sixth year, represents the pinnacle of that commitment—an immersive, in-person experience designed to empower leaders at every stage of their journey.
Advanced Lab Management Certificate
The Advanced Lab Management certificate is more than training—it’s a professional advantage.
Gain critical skills and IACET-approved CEUs that make a measurable difference.
Invest in yourself and your team
We know how demanding your role can be, and how difficult it is to step away from the lab. But investing this time will pay dividends, equipping you with fresh strategies, actionable tools, and renewed energy to return to your team ready to elevate performance and productivity.
Join us in Phoenix this April for the 2026 Leadership Summit, and experience firsthand why this event has become the go-to gathering for lab leaders nationwide. For more information and to register, visit: summit.labmanager.com/leadership
