Prices increase on July 14 at 12PM Eastern
The Conference for Small Business Operations Leaders
September 16-18, 2026 | Moshulu, Philadelphia, USA
Presented By
in Partnership with
MEET PEOPLE WHO "GET" YOU
Meet your peers who think in systems and process. This is your crew, to push your thinking forward long after Ops Ahoy ends.
FRAMEWORKS FOR MONDAY
Every breakout session is built around proven systems from operators who run businesses like yours — no MBA bloat, no untested theory.
BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Be an innovator and a thought leader for your team by joining the first gathering to redefine small business operations.
Wed, Sept 16
3P Registration Opens
5P Welcome Dinner (VIPs)
6P Dinner Meetups (Main Deck)
Thurs, Sept 17
7A - 9:30A Peer-Led Meetups
9:30A Opening Keynote
10A Breakout Sessions
12P Lunch (provided)
1P Breakout Sessions
2P mastermind sessions
4P Closing Remarks
6P Peer Dinner Meetups (All)
Fri, Sept 18
7A - 9:30A Peer-Led Meetups
9:30A Opening Remarks
10A Breakout Sessions
12P Lunch (provided)
1P Breakout Sessions
2P mastermind sessions
4P Closing keynote
5P Closing Party (all)
Attendees can host their own meetups or dinner events during Ops Ahoy to keep the conversation going around Philadelphia. Already have your ticket? We'll be sharing more information about this opportunity soon!
MEET YOUR CAPTAINS
Small business leaders like you are stepping up as Ops Ahoy Captains to share the top secret operations practices inside their companies (that aren't talked about anywhere else).
Le-an Lai Lacaba
JOE CASABONA
Derrick Mains
Theron Lalla
Monica Rysavy
Barbara Caraballo
More captains announced soon!
breakout SESSIONS THAT MAKE WAVES
Practical sessions that connect you with a small group of peers who are solving the same challenges.
How We Use Process Mapping to Remove Inefficiency & Miscommunication
Hosted by: Derrick Mains (The Process Fixer)
Most organizations look at productivity as a personal tool - one task at a time, within the limits of individual discretion. For operations to scale, it needs structure, and for structures to work, you need clear communication, plus shared understanding. Without visible inputs, handoffs, decisions, outputs, and outcomes, you're not improving productivity — you're accelerating chaos. In this session, you'll learn how Derrick uses process decomposition as a method for solving operational problems and implement it within your team.
How Implementing an AI Chief of Staff Changed My Business
Hosted by: Monica Rysavy (Systematic You)
Most small business owners are already using AI tools, but still feel like they're the ones holding everything together. In this session, Monica will show you the AI chief of staff system she's built for herself, her team, and other small businesses to handle things like morning briefings, content creation, analytics, and project management. Whether you're solo or running a team, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's possible and how to get started.
Your 2nd Brain Virtual Assistant (What to Delegate, How to Start, and When To Automate Instead)
Hosted by: Le-An Lai Lacaba (2X You)
Most founders think of a virtual assistant as someone who handles tasks. Inbox, calendar, admin. And that version exists. But there is a different kind of virtual assistant: one who understands your business well enough to make decisions, manage your AI tools, and scale what you build. In this session, you'll learn Le-An's practical framework for building a 2nd Brain VA that reduces bottlenecks by identifying what to delegate, what to hand off to a human, and what to automate instead.
How I created boundaries in my inbox to help my daughter become a top Girl-Scout Cookie seller instead
Hosted by: Joe Casabona (The Streamlined Solopreneur)
Checking your email is one of things that feels productive, but quickly leads to prioritizing other people's tasks over your own. And, we know that auto-responders saying you only check your email once per day or having an LLM write responses for you, doesn't solve the problem either. In this session, you'll learn how Joe built boundaries and reset expectations in his inbox so he can be present for things that matter most, and work as a group to brainstorm similar implementation tactics that work for you and your team.
How to Find Your Business Bottleneck
In this dedicated breakout, all attendees will learn facilitator best-practices to help prepare for our daily mastermind sessions.
ADDITIONAL SESSIONS Dropping SOON!
PEER MASTERMINDS
Each afternoon of Ops Ahoy includes a 2-hour mastermind for problem-solving in small groups. Bring your toughest operational challenges. You'll leave with real solutions from operators in the trenches.
MAIN DECK MASTERMINDS
Exclusive to Main Deck ticket holders.
Tackle your operational challenges with a focused peer group in this extended working session.
UPPER DECK MASTERMINDS
Exclusive to Upper Deck ticket holders.
Work through ops challenges in an exclusive smaller group, alongside other Upper Deck ticket holders and Captains.
& BUSINESS BOOK EXCHANGE
Bring 1 gently used business book you'd like to pass forward and leave with 2+ to add to your reading list! The library is already filling with new books (many signed by the authors!) including, but not limited to:
THIS IS NOT A SALES FUNNEL
The Mission of Ops Ahoy
Ops Ahoy was created by the operators of small teams who were tired of learning what works through trial-and-error. After years of looking around for a conference for small business operation, we decided to host one.
This event is pitch-free. There's no upsell or business strategy behind-the-scenes. It isn’t tied to one methodology, book, or framework. We're creating this space for candid conversations that will shape the future of small business operations industry. We'd love to see you there!
Here's what attendees say about our other events:
GRAB YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKET TODAY!
UPPER DECK
$1,990
Get VIP Ticket
Best for leaders of small teams on track to generate
$1M+ in annual revenue.
Prices increase on July 14 at 12PM Eastern. That's in:
Travel & Accommodations
Is the venue really a docked historic sailing ship?!
When should I book my flight/hotel?
What's the closest airport?
Which hotel(s) do you recommend?
I have dietary restrictions and/or acessibility needs. Will you be able to accommodate them?
Event SChedule & Registration
Can I attend virtually?
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What's the difference between the masterminds?
SESSIONS & NETWORKING
Will there be opportunities to get to know other attendees?
Who should attend this?
Is there a dress code for the event or specific sessions?
Is this event about a certain ops method (EOS, eMyth, etc.) ?
What will I learn in the sessions?
PAYMENTS, REFUNDS, & CANCELLATIONS
What is the refund policy if I'm unable to attend?
Is there a deadline for registration or can I buy tickets at the door?
OTHER INFORMATION
Is this event accessible?
How can my company become a sponsor?
Who can I contact if I still have questions?
