Key Takeaways
- • ADISA named seven award winners during its 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show (Oct. 5–7 in Las Vegas), including recipients in four newly created award categories designed to recognize excellence across the alternative investments sector.
- • The Bowman Law Firm received the inaugural Difference Maker of the Year award, recognizing organizations or individuals whose innovation in structure, technology, or process has meaningfully improved industry operations.
- • MDS Energy Development won Sponsor Champion of the Year for investor stewardship, transparency, and due diligence responsiveness; Concorde Investment Services received the firm Allocator Champion award; and Douglas Blake of Kingswood U.S. received the individual Allocator Champion honor.
- • Sydney Hockaday (Concorde Investment Services) and Katie Shook (Eagle Point Securities) received ADISA's President's Award; Dobbs Ackermann (Ackermann Group) received the Foundation Award for supporting ADISA Foundation scholarships and education initiatives.
- • The conference attracted approximately 1,000 professionals from the alternative investments industry, reinforcing ADISA's position as the nation's largest alternative investment securities association.
Summary
The Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA) announced its 2026 award winners during its annual conference in Las Vegas, recognizing outstanding contributions across the alternative investments sector. The prestigious awards program introduced four new categories this year, expanding recognition beyond ADISA's longstanding accolades to honor emerging leaders and transformative contributions to industry practices.
The Bowman Law Firm was selected as the inaugural Difference Maker of the Year, marking the first presentation of this award designed to recognize organizations or individuals whose innovative ideas, structures, technology platforms, or operational processes have created meaningful positive change for the industry. MDS Energy Development earned Sponsor Champion of the Year honors, reflecting demonstrated excellence in investor stewardship, transparency practices, due diligence responsiveness, and industry education efforts.
Concorde Investment Services received recognition in the firm category as Allocator Champion for its work in alternative investment due diligence, advisor education, and industry engagement. Douglas Blake of Kingswood U.S. was honored with the individual Allocator Champion award in recognition of his advocacy, educational contributions, industry involvement, and mentorship within the alternative investments space. The President's Award, ADISA's longstanding honor, was presented to Sydney Hockaday of Concorde Investment Services and Katie Shook of Eagle Point Securities, selected by the ADISA board president based on professional contributions and service to the association. Dobbs Ackermann of Ackermann Group received the Foundation Award for his philanthropic support of the ADISA Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds educational scholarships and projects advancing knowledge in the alternative and direct investment sector.
The conference drew approximately 1,000 industry professionals, underscoring ADISA's role as a central gathering point for sponsors, analysts, marketers, distributors, and advisors engaged in alternative investments. The event reinforced the association's mission to advance professional standards and recognition within the sector.
The Bowman Law Firm was selected as the inaugural Difference Maker of the Year, marking the first presentation of this award designed to recognize organizations or individuals whose innovative ideas, structures, technology platforms, or operational processes have created meaningful positive change for the industry. MDS Energy Development earned Sponsor Champion of the Year honors, reflecting demonstrated excellence in investor stewardship, transparency practices, due diligence responsiveness, and industry education efforts.
Concorde Investment Services received recognition in the firm category as Allocator Champion for its work in alternative investment due diligence, advisor education, and industry engagement. Douglas Blake of Kingswood U.S. was honored with the individual Allocator Champion award in recognition of his advocacy, educational contributions, industry involvement, and mentorship within the alternative investments space. The President's Award, ADISA's longstanding honor, was presented to Sydney Hockaday of Concorde Investment Services and Katie Shook of Eagle Point Securities, selected by the ADISA board president based on professional contributions and service to the association. Dobbs Ackermann of Ackermann Group received the Foundation Award for his philanthropic support of the ADISA Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds educational scholarships and projects advancing knowledge in the alternative and direct investment sector.
The conference drew approximately 1,000 industry professionals, underscoring ADISA's role as a central gathering point for sponsors, analysts, marketers, distributors, and advisors engaged in alternative investments. The event reinforced the association's mission to advance professional standards and recognition within the sector.
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