If professional development is on your agenda for August, Nashville is where you want to be. ASCEND 2026, Solver's annual conference for customers and partners runs August 17–20 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville, just steps from Broadway and Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville earned the name Music City because it's where people come to create something together. That's the spirit behind ASCEND. This year's event brings together the people who actually use the platform every day, the teams who build it, and the partners who deploy it, across four days of hands-on workshops, product roadmap previews, and sessions that address the problems finance teams are working through right now.

With 52 sessions, 7 tracks, 50+ speakers, and room for 300 attendees, ASCEND 2026 is structured for every experience level, from first-year users to power users and administrators. Here's what to know before you plan your schedule.

What Makes ASCEND Worth Four Days Away From the Office

What makes ASCEND different is who shows up. Every person in the room is a Solver user, partner, or implementer. That shared context means sessions stay focused, conversations go deeper, and the people sitting next to you already understand your challenges. 

Here's the practical case for attending:

• Strengthen your skills with training calibrated to your experience level, from foundational to advanced.
• Get a first look at the product roadmap, including upcoming features and AI enhancements.
• Earn up to 28.5 CPE credits across four days of qualifying sessions to maintain your CPA certification.
• Book 1:1 time with consultants, drop by the Guru Bar, or stop by the action stations for direct technical guidance.
• Network with hundreds of users and partners who understand your day-to-day challenges.
• Attend workshops exclusively available at ASCEND, which you won't find through any other training channel.

Keynotes and Must-Attend Sessions

ASCEND 2026 kicks off Monday, August 17, with training and partner programming running Monday and Tuesday before the full customer conference begins Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to day-long, hands-on training workshops covering Solver's features and functions at every level, alongside the Partner Implementer Roundtable. Partner programming continues on Tuesday leading with the Partner Keynote where Solver leadership covers strategy, industry focus, and the product roadmap.

Wednesday morning's main Keynote (8:00–9:45 AM) features Solver executives sharing the latest on AI innovations, platform enhancements, and where the xFP&A category is heading.

Sessions fill quickly and seating is limited. Review the full agenda before you arrive. Some of the most-anticipated sessions for 2026 include:

If reporting or planning are priorities for your team this year, these sessions are worth anchoring your schedule around. The AI-focused session in particular reflects where the finance profession is heading, and how the platform is keeping pace.

Hands-On Training Workshops

Monday and Tuesday (August 17–18) are dedicated to full-day intensive workshops organized by skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. These are structured, applied sessions, not passive lectures. You'll leave with techniques you can put to work the following week.

Attendees can bring their own laptop or rent one on-site for a nominal fee. If you plan to bring your own, a tech check to confirm access to the required programs will be needed in advance.

Three workshops are available exclusively at ASCEND and cannot be accessed through any other training channel:

• Load & Maintain Data in Solver
• Charts, Graphs and Formatting
• Advanced Planning

The full training catalog spans reporting, planning, data warehouse administration, and more. Review the full agenda and secure your workshop seat before sessions fill.

Partner Programming

ASCEND 2026 offers an extensive two-day Partner Program covering both the technical and business sides of the practice.

Monday, August 17

The Partner Implementer Roundtable brings partners together for a full day of collaborative discussion on implementation scenarios and best practices. 

Tuesday, August 18

Partner Day opens with a keynote from Solver leadership and continues with sessions on sales strategy, marketing tactics and partner success. The day closes with a Partner Awards along with a celebratory Partner Happy Hour before transitioning to the Welcome Honky Tonk reception for all ASCEND attendees.

Connecting with the Solver Team

Throughout the conference, Solver action stations give attendees direct access to the product, consulting, and development teams. These are structured touchpoints, not passive booth experiences.

• Schedule a 1:1 consulting session to work through a specific challenge.
• Stop by the Guru Bar for technical guidance and quick troubleshooting.
• Share a video testimonial or submit a review.
• Join a product development discussion and have a direct voice in the roadmap.

Action stations are available throughout the conference. Book an appointment in advance or stop by when your schedule allows.

Building the Case to Attend

Getting approval for a four-day conference comes down to the numbers: up to 28.5 CPE credits, hands-on workshops unavailable anywhere else, and direct access to the product roadmap. For most teams, that's enough to justify the time away.

Use the pre-written email below to make your case. Add your current projects where indicated, then send it to your manager. It covers the value of attending, from sharper data-driven decisions to new ways to use Solver beyond finance.

Registration and Hotel Details

Seating in several sessions is limited to maintain the quality of the learning experience. Room reservations at the ASCEND conference rate of $299 per night are available through July 30, 2026. Access the booking link through your ASCEND registration confirmation email. Group discounts are available.