EPIC Impact Society, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing creative leadership, social innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, wil hold its 2026 EPIC International Summit, April 27-29 at Rancho Tajiguas Preserve along California’s Gaviota Coast.
Now in its fifth year, the EPIC International Summit convenes an intimate, invitation-driven gathering of global leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, creatives and changemakers for three days of programming designed to spark innovation, foster collaboration, and explore new approaches to solving complex challenges.
The 2026 Summit theme Collective Exploration reflects EPIC’s belief that the most meaningful breakthroughs emerge when diverse voices and disciplines come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and build solutions collaboratively, organizers said.
EPIC Impact Society has announced that Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated producer Bill Gerber will receive the 2026 EPIC Impact Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to storytelling and the cultural impact of film and television.
Gerber is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished producers and executives. As president of Production at Warner Bros. Pictures, he helped oversee some of the most iconic films of the past several decades, including “L.A. Confidential,” “JFK,” Heat,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “Twister,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Three Kings,” and entries in the globally celebrated “Harry Potter” film series.
He later founded Gerber Pictures, producing such acclaimed films as “Gran Torino,” “A Very Long Engagement,” Grudge Match,” and “Moonage Daydream.”
In 2019, Gerber received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and a Golden Globe nomination for “A Star Is Born.” Earlier, “A Very Long Engagement” earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
“Gerber’s career exemplifies EPIC’s belief in the transformative power of storytelling to shape culture, challenge perspectives, and inspire new ways of thinking,” the organization said.
The 2026 Summit will also celebrate several leaders whose work embodies creativity, service, and meaningful community engagement:
EPIC Artist Award – Chris Bangle Former chief designer for BMW Group, Bangle is widely recognized as one of the most influential automotive designers of his generation. His work reshaped the design language of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce and continues to influence global design thinking.
EPIC Inspiration Award – Barbara Edelston Peterson Founder of the Whole Champion Foundation, Peterson is a psychologist, author, and world-renowned endurance athlete whose work empowers young people through education, emotional intelligence, and environmental stewardship.
EPIC Community Engagement Award – Longer Tables Tim Jones, founder of Longer Tables, will be recognized for his innovative approach to strengthening communities through shared meals and civic dialogue. Longer Tables initiatives have brought neighbors, leaders, and strangers together across communities to foster connection and understanding.
The EPIC International Summit is known for its curated format. It has previously been recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Meetings in North America by BizBash and has welcomed speakers and honorees from organizations including NASA/JPL, Walt Disney Imagineering, Lionsgate, and Creative Visions Foundation.
For more about the 2026 EPIC International Summit, including speakers, sponsorship opportunities, or attendance, visit www.epicsummit.com.