An Insider’s View of What Comes Next.
After the election, legal and compliance leaders will face a new political and regulatory landscape. Join DSA in Washington for timely insight into the developments most likely to affect direct selling—and practical guidance your company can put to work.
Explore emerging enforcement priorities, litigation trends, independent-work policy, AI, social commerce, claims, compensation, and cross-border issues involving Canada and Mexico.
Tuesday morning features a live broadcast with Rachael Bade, Dan Turrentine, and Sean Spicer examining the personalities, power shifts, and political calculations behind Washington’s emerging agenda.
November 16 – 17, 2026 – Washington, DC
Venable LLP
600 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
All times Eastern. Speakers and elected officials to be announced.
| 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. |
Registration Open
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| 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. |
Opening Reception (Sponsored by Venable)
Welcome reception and networking for conference attendees.
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| 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. |
Registration, Networking Breakfast
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| 8:15 – 8:25 a.m. |
Welcome and Introduction
A brief introduction connecting the conference’s legal and regulatory discussions with the post-election political environment taking shape in Washington.
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| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. |
Live Broadcast: The Huddle
Two weeks after the 2026 elections, The Huddle examines what voters decided, how Washington’s balance of power is taking shape, and what the results could mean for the policy environment ahead. This conversation will move beyond the headlines to explore the personalities, power shifts, legislative calculations and political dynamics influencing Washington’s next chapter. Combining journalistic, Democratic and Republican perspectives, the live program will give attendees a candid insider’s assessment of what changed, and what business leaders should watch next.
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| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. |
Networking Break
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| 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. |
Inside the Amway–FTC Settlement: What the Industry Needs to Know
In a candid, talk-show-style conversation, Amway leaders Andrew Schmidt and Jon Sherk join moderator John Villafranco to discuss the recently announced settlement involving Amway, the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Washington. The panel will examine the events leading to the resolution, the operational changes required under the proposed order and the broader implications for earnings claims, customer-sales verification, distributor training, compliance oversight and regulatory risk across direct selling.
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| 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. |
From Election Results to Regulatory Reality (Sponsored by Winston & Taylor)
Political, legal and government affairs experts translate the election results into practical implications for congressional oversight, agency leadership, enforcement priorities and the operating environment for direct-selling companies.
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| 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
Beyond the Border: What’s Next in Canada and Mexico
An examination of the legal, regulatory, trade and compliance developments affecting direct-selling operations in two of the industry’s most important international markets. Topics will include consumer protection, product and earnings claims, distributor classification, privacy, digital marketing, labeling, customs and cross-border commerce.
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| Noon – 1:00 p.m. |
Networking Lunch and Washington Perspective (Sponsored by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP)
A concise, moderated conversation with elected officials and policy experts about independent work, entrepreneurship, consumer protection and the congressional priorities likely to affect the channel.
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| 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. |
Claims Under Pressure: Earnings, Products and the Evidence Behind Them
A practical review of earnings claims, product claims, testimonials, income disclosures, substantiation and retail-sales validation. Panelists will discuss where companies remain vulnerable and what legal and compliance teams should be testing now.
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| 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. |
Guidance and Independent Contractor Classification
What happens when states keep rewriting the rules faster than businesses can adapt? This session takes a national view of independent contractor standards, from California’s PAGA pressure to activity emerging in New Jersey, Delaware and other states. Panelists will compare the most significant trends across jurisdictions, explain how those shifts intersect with federal efforts like H.R. 3495, and offer guidance for companies navigating a classification landscape that now changes state by state. |
| 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. |
Networking Break
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| 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. |
Breaking AI Policy: What Legal and Compliance Leaders Need to Know Now
Generative AI, social commerce, affiliates, influencers and livestream selling are expanding the boundaries of company oversight. Legal, marketing and technology leaders will examine emerging federal and state AI policies and explore how companies can encourage innovation while maintaining effective monitoring and accountability. The discussion will address AI-generated marketing and claims, distributor use of AI, privacy, disclosures, vendor governance and practical corporate guardrails.
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| 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. |
The State Regulatory Map: Where Risk Is Moving Next
A forward-looking review of legislative, regulatory, attorney general and litigation activity across key states. Topics will include classification standards, consumer disclosures, telemarketing, privacy, automatic renewal and other requirements affecting national operations.
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| 4:00 – 4:40 p.m. |
Innovation Meets Accountability: Turning Compliance and Technology into Growth Drivers
As innovation accelerates, direct selling companies are redefining how they communicate, monitor and grow. From new AI tools to social and influencer marketing, marketing potential and oversight must evolve together. This session brings together experts who bridge legal, marketing and compliance to show how responsible innovation protects consumers and drives performance. Learn how companies are using technology, collaboration and transparent practices to strengthen trust, reduce risk and fuel sustainable growth across the channel. |
| 4:40 – 5:25 p.m. |
General Counsel Roundtable: Turning Foresight into Business Strategy
Senior legal executives discuss how they advise leadership when the law is unsettled, balance compliance with growth, allocate resources across competing risks and ensure regulatory intelligence reaches business decision-makers. |
| 5:25 – 5:30 p.m. |
Closing: What Comes Next
DSA concludes the conference with the principal risks, opportunities and action items attendees should carry back to their companies.
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| 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. |
Closing Reception
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