More than 300 company leaders will gather to focus on innovative growth strategies at the ReINVENT Summit 26 from 1 to 5 pm, followed by hosted networking and an expo from 5 to 7 pm, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at UC Irvine’s The Cove at Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Ave, Irvine, CA 92617.
The summit aims to offer transformational strategies as the economy remains chaotic amid the aftermath of the government shutdown, fluctuating tariff policies, and stubborn inflation. The purpose of the event is to help Southern California business leaders transform their leadership and organizations so they can grow in 2026.
A featured speaker is Dr. Noel Hacegaba, COO of the Port of Long Beach. Hacegaba has more than 26 years of public and private sector experience spanning a variety of industries. Prior to joining the Port, he managed $200 million in contracts for a Fortune 500 company.
Hacegaba is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned degrees in economics (BA and MA), business administration (BS) and urban planning (MPL). He earned his doctorate in public administration at the University of La Verne, where he continues to serve on the faculty of the school’s College of Business and Public Management.
“The event will provide inflection points for tech, talent, and markets in 2026,” said Scott Hamilton, president and founder of the Executive Next Practices Institute (ENP), the host of the event. “Despite a chaotic economy, company CEOs are still working hard to grow their companies.”
Other speakers exploring the next era of business evolution include CEO Pranav Dalal of Office Beacon, Dean Ian O. Williamson of the UCI Paul Merage School of Business, CEO John Driver of Lynx Technology, and Chief HR Officer Ramona Agrela of UC Irvine. A full lineup of speakers is available on the event page.
The cost to attend the event is $78 for those who register before December 29, 2025, and $110 for those who register after December 30, 2025.
This will be ENP's 550th such forum, and features partner organizations such as UCI Corporate Ed, NHRA OC and the Private Directors Association.
The mission of the Executive Next Practices Institute is to help business leaders connect, collaborate, and innovate.
“Business leaders can connect with CEOs, CHROs, COOs, CIOs, CFOs and key executives from leading companies,” said Hamilton. “Through visionary keynotes and interactive panels, attendees can develop actionable insights to lead their organizations through complexity and toward sustainable growth.”
--Henry DeVries is the author of 20 books and is the publisher/partner of Indie Books International in Oceanside, California.
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