More than 200 attendees gathered in San Diego, California for TazWorks LIVE! 2026—bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of background screening and consumer reporting agencies.
Across all of the keynotes, product workshops, partner demos, and conversations throughout the week, one message came through clearly: TazWorks is helping CRAs grow, scale, and serve more effectively through smarter, more connected screening technology.
We’ve made it easy to revisit some of this year’s biggest moments with a curated selection of session presentations available for download.
Keynotes
State of TazWorks
MeridianLink Chief Product & Strategy Officer Troy Coggiola set the tone with a look at the strategy, innovation, and direction shaping the future of TazWorks.
TazWorks Director of Product Management Jacob Shapiro built on that foundation with key updates across the business, highlighting recent innovations and how the product vision continues to evolve alongside customer needs and industry change. Sr. Software Engineer JaNeal LaVanway added to those point, speaking to how AI is being applied across the TazWorks platform
Bringing a customer-focused perspective to the discussion, TazWorks Director of Customer Success Management Tom Pilkington shared insights grounded in more than 50 years of combined industry experience across the team.
And we closed it all out with a fireside Q&A featuring Sr. Director of Client Support Kathy Olsen.
Cerebrum: AI in background screening
The Founder and CEO of Cerebrum led a forward-looking keynote focused on the current state of AI in background screening, what effective implementation looks like for CRAs, and the outcomes organizations can achieve when it’s designed with intent and industry context.
Attendees also had the ability to see a live demonstration of the Cerebrum Synapse integration within the TazWorks platform.
How to turn storytelling into a superpower
Harvard Executive Education instructor Carmine Gallo delivered a standout keynote on the power of storytelling in leadership. He shared practical techniques for strengthening communication, capturing attention, and building trust—especially in a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation. His session highlighted how clarity, narrative, and human connection remain essential skills for effective leadership.
Compliance in 2026 and beyond
We were thrilled to have Seyfarth Shaw LLP Labor and Employment Partner Pam Devata return to TazWorks LIVE! with a timely keynote on the evolving compliance landscape. She unpacked key regulatory shifts and emerging litigation trends impacting the background screening industry, and what CRAs should be preparing for as the industry continues to evolve.
General sessions & trainings
From AI innovation and automation to workflow optimization and configuration best practices, these tracks focused on how CRAs can get more out of the TazWorks platform they use every day. Using examples from customers, each sessions explored ways to expand services, improve workflows, and handle higher volumes with greater speed, accuracy, and compliance—while keeping the experience seamless for both clients and candidates
Networking & special events
Of course, the week wasn’t all work.
As always, TazWorks LIVE! built in plenty of time to connect, unwind, and celebrate together. From the welcome reception for new and returning attendees, to an unforgettable evening aboard the USS Midway, and our closing Customer Appreciation Night, each event gave attendees time to spend with peers, partners, and the TazWorks team outside of sessions.
Those moments of connection are a big part of what makes the TazWorks community special, and this year was no exception.
Thank you
A big thank you to all of our customers, partner sponsors, speakers, and attendees who made TazWorks LIVE! 2026 such a memorable experience. We can’t wait to do it all again next year in Orlando, FL!