Leadership Accelerators
Chicagoland Professionals
Accelerators
Our in-person accelerator groups enable up-and-coming, managing, and leading partners in the Milwaukee and Chicagoland areas to address common challenges, explore professional trends, and build meaningful, valuable relationships. Guest speakers and facilitators further extend opportunities for information, networking, and connection. Each group has a deep roster, enabling lively, valuable interaction at every meeting.
We currently maintain five area groups: the Chicago NextGen Accelerator, the Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator, the Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator, the CAAS Accelerator and the Human Capital Accelerator. Each group meets frequently between May and February, with meetings alternating between virtual and in-person at the Renaissance North Shore, 933 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062.
2026-2027 Calendars & Topics
Chicago NextGen Partner Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago NextGen Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 7
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2026 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 11
8:30 – 11:30am
“Strategic Options for Independence”
Brian Blaha
Managing Director, Winding River Consulting
July 9
8:30 – 11:30am
“Transforming Your Firm for the Future”
Ron Baker and Ed Kless
Co-Founders, Threshold.
August 6
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
September 24
8:30 – 11:30am
In person at the THG Office
Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“2026 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
November 5
8:30 – 11:30am
“Benefits Survey & Trends Discussion”
Art Kuesel
December 3
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Accounting Student Panel – Northern Illinois University”
Art Kuesel and Brad Cripe
January 14, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
TBD
February 4, 2027
8:30 – 10:00am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel with Guest Facilitator TBA
May 6, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2027 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 6
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2026 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 10
8:30 – 11:30am
“Managing Partner Series & Lessons Learned from 30 Years in Leadership in the CPA Profession”
Larry Taylor, CPA
Chief Practice Officer – Southwest, CLA
July 8
8:30 – 11:30am
In person at
CJBS Office
Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Business Model Innovation for the Local CPA Firm”
Ron Baker and Ed Kless
Co-Founders, Threshold
August 5
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Engaging your Staff in the Metrics That Drive Margin”
Kristen Rampe, CPA
Managing Partner, Rosenberg Associates
September 23
8:30 – 11:30am
In person at the THG Office
Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“2026 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
November 11
8:30 – 11:30am
“How to Leverage a Meaningful Mission & Vision to Move Your Firm Forward and Accomplish Goals: Lessons Learned from Sorren”
Josh Tyree, CPA, CEO, Sorren
December 2
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Employee Benefits Survey Discussion”
Art Kuesel
January 13, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
TBD
February 3, 2027
8:30 – 10:00am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel
May 5, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2027 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
Chicago Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 5
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2026 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 9
8:30 – 11:30am
“Succession Planning for the Small Firm and Introduction to Franklin Alliance”
Steve Schein
Co-Founder, Franklin Alliance
July 7
8:30 – 11:30am
“Avoiding Burnout in a Small Firm Environment”
Randy Crabtree, CPA
Co-Founder & Partner, Tri-Merit
October 20
8:30 – 11:30am
“2026 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
November 10
8:30 – 11:30am
“SALT Update”
Scott Brawdy, CPA
Partner, Honkamp
December 1
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Small Firms in 2027: Navigating Pressure and Finding Opportunity”
Stephanie Otero, CPA
Vice President/Small Firm Advocate AICPA-CIMA
January 12, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
“Trends in Employee Benefits Through the Lens of the Large Local Firm”
Art Kuesel
February 2, 2027
8:30 – 10:00am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel
May 18, 2027
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2027 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
Fees & Credits
Fees: Chicago Managing Partner and Chicago Next Generation: $5,000 per person, per year
Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator: $3,500 per person, per year.
Join anytime, we will prorate your membership.
CPE Credits: Chicago Managing Partner and Chicago Next Generation: 24
Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator: 21
Facilitators
Art Kuesel will guide accelerator groups through each session, providing insights from leading professionals and maximizing both individual benefits and group engagement.