Strategic Communications SKO 2026: Building Momentum for a Record-Breaking Year
Every year, our Sales Kick-Off is a chance to reset, realign, and recommit. But SKO 2026 in Louisville was different. With over 40 sales professionals, executive leadership, and key vendor partners in one room, this wasn't just a planning meeting — it was a declaration of intent.
Over three days at Hotel Distil on Louisville's historic Whiskey Row, our team came together around a shared mission: make 2026 the most successful year in Strategic Communications history.
Partners at the Center
Strong customer solutions don't happen in isolation — they're built on strong partnerships. That's why this year's SKO featured a record number of vendor partners, and why we designed the event to put real, meaningful collaboration at the forefront.
The centerpiece was our Partner Showcase, where face-to-face conversations replaced slide decks and small talk. A passport incentive system kept engagement high and ensured every attendee connected with new solutions and familiar partners alike.
The energy peaked during our "Shark Tank"-style pitch competition, where partners presented their products and services to our sales team in a fast-paced, competitive format. Three awards were given:
One Direction, Every Department
Partnerships fuel our pipeline, but internal alignment is what converts opportunity into results. A significant portion of SKO 2026 was dedicated to making sure every corner of the organization — engineering, marketing, sales, and support — is moving in the same direction.
Departmental sessions helped teams clarify measurable goals for the year, refine operational processes, and identify cross-functional synergies that often get lost in the day-to-day. Structured networking time between departments gave people the chance to build the relationships that make those synergies real.
Our Chief Revenue Officer, Chris Mills, anchored the executive vision sessions with a clear message: double down on what's working, invest in becoming subject matter experts, and align sales strategy to go-to-market priorities from day one. The goal isn't just to react to the market — it's to lead conversations that shape it.
Giving Back in Record Time
Some of the most memorable moments at SKO 2026 had nothing to do with revenue targets.
We partnered with SPARC Hope, a Louisville ministry serving single parents and families facing economic hardship, with a goal of packing 300 feminine and children's hygiene kits for Metro Louisville families. Our team finished in 19 minutes.
The energy in the room said everything about who we are as a company. Beyond the clock, we contributed over $3,600 in materials and sponsorship — and we're already looking for ways to deepen our support for SPARC Hope in the year ahead.
Louisville Set the Stage
Hotel Distil, anchored on historic Whiskey Row, gave the event a sense of place and purpose that a generic conference hotel simply can't replicate. Attendees stayed at the connected Moxy Louisville, making the flow between sessions and downtime seamless. When the day wrapped, the revitalized downtown district — including Repeal Steakhouse and The Last Refuge — gave the team space to decompress and connect.
What Comes Next
The strategies are set. The partnerships are strengthened. The momentum is real.
For our partners who joined us this year — thank you. Your presence, whether as a Platinum, Gold, or Silver sponsor, directly shapes our pipeline and how we go to market. For those who missed SKO 2026, planning for 2027 is already underway. Sponsorship spots fill early, and we'd love to have you there.
2026 is ours to win. Let's get to work.
