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Financial Executives International and Media Financial Management Association Announce Co-Location and Co-Branding of 2026 Annual Conference

Financial Executives International (FEI) and the Media Financial Management Association (MFM) announced that their 2026 Annual Conference will be co-located and co-branded. The landmark event, scheduled for May 17-20, 2026, will bring together financial leaders from all industries.

The 2026 co-branded event will feature joint general sessions, networking events, and breakout sessions, as well as business meetings and recognition activities tailored to each association. An expanded Expo Hall will showcase innovative solutions and services from sponsors and exhibitors, offering unparalleled exposure to key financial decision-makers and fostering lasting business relationships.

The partnership between FEI and MFM underscores both organizations’ dedication to providing exceptional educational and networking opportunities while delivering increased value to sponsors and exhibitors through access to a broader, more engaged audience.

For details about the 2026 Annual Conference, please visit the official announcement on  Financial Executives International website

President’s Corner - May

Thank you for being patient for the May newsletter. I intentionally delayed the newsletter until after attending the 2026 FEI Annual Summit so I could share several important themes and developments emerging from this year’s event.

One topic continues to dominate nearly every conversation in the financial and business community:



Artificial Intelligence.

AI has rapidly evolved from an emerging technology into a central strategic issue for organizations of every size. What was especially notable at this year’s summit was not simply the continued emphasis on AI, but how dramatically the conversation has shifted.

A Brief Look at the Evolution of AI Focus

May 2023 – ChatGPT was introduced to the mainstream market through broad public accessibility.

May 2024 – AI emerged as a major discussion topic at the FEI Summit.

May 2025 – AI became the central focus of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and vendor solutions. One keynote speaker summarized the moment well with the statement:

“AI will not replace people, but people who do not understand or utilize AI will be replaced by people who do.”

The Shift in 2026: From Adoption to Governance

This year’s summit marked a significant turning point.

The emphasis has shifted:

FROM: Understanding and implementing AI
TO: Governing AI and ensuring regulatory readiness

Organizations are now focused on establishing controls, policies, and governance structures surrounding the use of AI technologies.

The discussion is no longer centered solely on how to use AI effectively. It is now equally focused on:

• Protecting sensitive company information,
• Preventing inadvertent data exposure,
• Validating AI-generated outputs,
• Documenting AI-assisted processes, and
• Maintaining audit-ready transparency.

Several sessions emphasized that companies must be able to demonstrate how AI-generated conclusions were reached. If AI assists with complex calculations, forecasting, analysis, or decision-making, organizations must maintain documentation supporting the methodology and must be able to reproduce or validate results independently of the AI tool itself.

This represents a major evolution in internal controls and compliance expectations.

Emerging AI Governance Frameworks

Two major frameworks were referenced during summit discussions:

European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act)

The EU AI Act establishes a risk-based framework for AI applications, including:

• Unacceptable Risk – prohibited AI uses
• High Risk – AI used in hiring, healthcare, banking, and critical infrastructure
• Limited Risk – systems requiring transparency disclosures
• Minimal Risk – lower-risk tools such as basic chatbots and spam filters

The Act is designed to:

• Improve AI safety and transparency,
• Protect privacy and fundamental rights,
• Require disclosure of AI-generated content, and
• Establish compliance obligations for organizations developing or deploying AI systems.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

National Institute of Standards and Technology continues to play an increasingly important role in AI governance within the United States. NIST has published guidance surrounding:

• AI risk assessment,
• Bias mitigation,
• Model governance,
• Transparency, and
• Explainability.

Its frameworks are becoming foundational references for organizations building internal AI policies and controls.

What This Means for Organizations

Many large organizations have already established formal AI Governance Committees or AI Oversight Boards responsible for developing policies, monitoring compliance, and managing organizational risk.

Small and mid-sized organizations may not have the resources of Fortune 500 companies, but the message from this year’s summit was clear:

·        The conversation must move beyond simply “using AI.”

·        Organizations should now begin focusing on “governing AI.”

As financial professionals, we are uniquely positioned to help lead this effort through risk management, internal controls, compliance oversight, documentation standards, and strategic governance.

AI will undoubtedly continue reshaping the business landscape. The organizations that thrive will be those that not only embrace innovation but also implement the discipline and governance necessary to use these tools responsibly and effectively.

Jim Schildt 

President 

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