Triad Partners Taps A-Rod, AI to Build Advisor Legacies in 2026

LAWRENCE, Kan. – January 07, 2026 – Financial services organization Triad Partners is set to blend star power, high-performance psychology, and artificial intelligence at its upcoming annual kickoff experience, ‘Launch 2026’. The event, scheduled for January 14-16 in Tucson, Arizona, aims to equip financial advisors with the tools to build lasting personal and professional legacies, featuring headline conversations with business mogul Alex Rodriguez and the launch of a new AI-focused mastermind group.

Under the theme “Legacy Begins Here,” the three-day gathering at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort will bring together founders, strategic partners, and their families for what the company describes as an immersive learning and networking experience. The event underscores Triad's core philosophy, which challenges advisors to pursue a more holistic definition of success that balances business growth with personal fulfillment.

Redefining Success Beyond the Balance Sheet

Since its founding in 2020, Triad Partners has built its platform on a distinct "DO BUSINESS. DO LIFE.™" mentality. This philosophy moves beyond traditional metrics of assets under management and revenue, encouraging financial advisors to design a life aligned with their values and aspirations. The firm, which functions as a field marketing organization (FMO), provides a suite of resources including investment management, compliance support, and practice management solutions designed to give advisors more freedom and control over their time.

“Over the past five years, we have created a movement that allows elite advisors to grow their businesses while realizing more freedom, happiness and significance, both in and out of the office,” said Shawn Sparks, co-founder of Triad Partners, in a recent announcement. “Our ‘DO BUSINESS. DO LIFE.’ philosophy has guided us since day one, and as we enter our next chapter, we remain focused on providing the resources and connections advisors need for long-term success across their lives.”

This ethos will be celebrated at the event’s awards gala, “A Night to Remember,” emceed by NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson. The gala will honor top leaders with accolades such as the Scholar Award for commitment to growth, the Run as a Pack Award for peer support, and the capstone DO BUSINESS. DO LIFE.™ Award, which recognizes leaders who exemplify the balance between professional excellence and personal fulfillment. The event is the latest in a series of founder-focused experiences, following the firm's five-year anniversary and recent 'Triad Lab' immersive trainings focused on sales and scalable systems.

From Champion Mindsets to Unconventional Growth

A major draw for ‘Launch 2026’ is its lineup of high-profile speakers, chosen to translate success from other demanding fields into actionable strategies for financial advisors. Headlining the event is three-time MLB MVP Alex Rodriguez, who will participate in a live keynote conversation on building the “Mindset of a Champion.”

Far more than a retired athlete, Rodriguez has built a formidable second career as the Chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm he founded that has deployed billions in capital across real estate, technology, and wellness. His experience as an investor, a guest on ABC's Shark Tank, and an educator at the Stanford Graduate School of Business provides a unique and credible foundation for his principles of finding strengths, working hard, and maintaining focus. His session is expected to bridge the gap between the discipline required in elite sports and the strategic thinking necessary to build an influential business.

Joining him is bestselling author Alex Banayan, whose book The Third Door chronicles his journey interviewing some of the world's most successful people to uncover their unconventional paths to the top. Banayan’s session, titled “What’s Possible: The Third Door to an Unforgettable Legacy,” will focus on cultivating persistence and bold thinking to drive growth, a message particularly resonant for advisors navigating competitive markets and external challenges. His work, which has been presented to leadership at companies like Bank of America, offers a framework for breaking through perceived barriers.

The AI Edge: Leveraging Technology for a Better Life

Perhaps the most forward-looking component of ‘Launch 2026’ is the formal launch of the 2026 AI Advisor Lab Mastermind group. This initiative signals Triad’s commitment to positioning its members at the forefront of technological change within the financial services industry. The company is moving beyond simply providing tools, instead creating a dedicated learning environment to help advisors strategically integrate artificial intelligence into their practices.

A panel titled “Inside the AI Mastermind: Where Legacy Meets Leverage” will feature Triad co-founder Brad Johnson, Chief Technology Officer Quin Kilgore, and renowned leadership expert Michael Hyatt. Following the panel, Hyatt will lead an exclusive Mastermind for members, designed to teach them how to "leverage AI and scale smarter, adapt faster and lead with clarity." This focus on AI is not merely about operational efficiency; it directly supports the "DO BUSINESS. DO LIFE." philosophy by providing a pathway for advisors to automate routine tasks, reclaim valuable time, and focus on higher-value client relationships and personal priorities.

The initiative reflects a broader industry trend where specialized knowledge in evaluating and integrating AI is becoming a critical skill set. By offering a structured, expert-led program, Triad aims to demystify AI and empower its community to use it as a competitive advantage.

“Launch 2026 is our signature experience, uniting top leaders with world-class speakers who have excelled in sports, business and beyond,” stated co-founder Brad Johnson. “Our goal is to help founders clarify their vision, overcome challenges and create lasting success in every area of their lives. This promises to be one of our most impactful experiences yet, offering founders a chance to kick off 2026 with renewed purpose, perspective and actionable strategies for the year ahead.”

As Triad Partners and its affiliate, Triad Wealth Partners—which recently surpassed $1 billion in assets under management—continue to grow, this blend of high-performance coaching, community building, and technological adoption defines their approach. By creating experiences that address both the strategic and personal dimensions of an advisor's career, the organization is actively shaping a future where success is measured not just in wealth managed, but in a life well-lived.