The AM&AA Open Golf Tournament

In partnership with AM&AA’s Midwest Chapter, The AM&AA Open will be held the Monday before the Summer Conference.
This exclusive golf tournament invites conference attendees to connect in a relaxed, high-value networking setting. Player pairings will be based on preferences to spark meaningful new relationships and deal-making potential. Don’t miss this premier opportunity to network at the scenic Wilmette Golf Club on Chicago’s North Shore!

Reserve your spot by selecting the add-on to purchase during registration or when modifying registration.

Shotgun start: 1:30 PM
Dinner served post-tournament.
Roundtrip transportation will be provided between the hotel and course.
Shuttle departs hotel: 12:00 PM (Meet in lobby at 11:45 AM)
Shuttle departs golf course: 7:30 PM

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AM&AA Advisory Council Meeting

The AM&AA Advisory Council will discuss the organization's initiatives & strategies.

Invitation only to AM&AA Advisory Council Members.

AM&AA Chapter Executive Committee Members Workshop

This interactive workshop is designed for Executive Committee Members to identify and implement chapter growth strategies through multiple outlets, such as events, sponsorships and resources.
Please note: This workshop is held prior to the start of the conference. 

Breakfast served at 7:30 a.m.
Invitation only for AM&AA Chapter Executive Committee Members.

Registration & Exhibits Open

Conference registration begins at 10:00 a.m. 
The AM&AA Registration & Hospitality Desk will be located on the second floor to welcome and check you into the conference as you arrive on Tuesday. Visit with exhibitors and learn how their services can take your deal to the next level!

1:1 Meetings open at 10:30 a.m. to begin scheduling. 

Welcome Luncheon

Kick off the 27th annual Summer Conference by joining us for a lunch that offers prime opportunities to connect with M&A professionals before heading into an afternoon filled with meetings and valuable content. 

Women of AM&AA Luncheon

The Women of AM&AA are hosting a special luncheon to celebrate and strengthen the network of women within our community. This event will feature intimate networking and an engaging speaker offering valuable takeaways. All are welcome to join, but seating is limited and an RSVP will be required closer to the conference.

AM&AA Deal Connect presented by Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

The exclusive and highly anticipated Deal Connect allows private equity professionals to request meetings with middle market intermediaries and investment bankers holding various transaction opportunities at hosted tables. Stop by to make the most of your conference experience with this valuable opportunity! 

General Session #1 - Market Update: Uncertainty Amid Positive Cycle Trends – M&A in 2025 

Hear from middle market M&A executives with deep private equity and strategic transactional experience as they discuss market dynamics that bring us to where we stand currently in the M&A cycle, including data on closed deals. The discussion will include current market characteristics and statistics, including deal volume, valuation and leverage dynamics, as well as trends under way that will shape the next 6 months of deal activity. Uncertainty is the new hallmark in US business environment, particularly as relates to tariffs and changes in the regulatory landscape, but interest rates continue to trend downward, there continues to be record un-invested (yet committed) capital availability, and there could be a record number of sellers coming to market, given the pent-up supply of private-equity owned portfolio companies needing an exit, and the continuation of the demographic wave.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Breakout
ESOP Transactions Can Deliver Closing Successes on Challenging M&A Transactions

Join us for an engaging session on ESOP transactions and why they’re a valuable alternative for select Sell-Side M&A deals. Learn how ESOPs offer a competitive edge for Sell-Side Advisors and help business owners navigate ownership transitions. Explore the benefits of ESOPs for owners seeking an exit, especially in hard-to-finance industries, offering tax advantages and preserving company legacies and employee opportunities. We’ll discuss how this structure benefits selling shareholders, businesses, and employees, and when to consider it as an alternative to M&A sales. Panelists will also share how a failed private equity deal was successfully transformed into an ESOP transaction, with insights from Morgan Stanley’s Senior Wealth Management and Estate Planning Professionals.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

PRESENTED BY

 

Breakout
Table Talk: Turning Risk into Value: A Framework for M&A Advisors

In M&A, unmanaged risk is a deal killer. This session offers a discussion on how to identify and mitigate personal, business, legal, and transition risks that threaten enterprise value. Designed for deal professionals, this discussion equips you with tools to turn risk into a higher certainty of closing, preparing business owners for more successful and higher valued exits. Learn how to partner with exit planners to de-risk the business before taking the business out to market.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

PRESENTED BY

General Session #2 – Second Time’s the Charm: How to Close the Deal After a Failed Exit

Failed deals represent costly sunk time - until they become valuable learning opportunities. This panel examines why processes collapse (valuation gaps, diligence surprises, structural issues) and how to reposition assets for successful relaunch. Deal veterans will share hard-won insights on retooling investment theses, rebuilding buyer momentum, and structuring around previous sticking points to maximize second-attempt success. Panelists will address today's complex dynamics and how these factors create both obstacles and opportunities for re-marketed deals.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Opening Reception

Make the most of this opportunity to forge connections with industry power players and potential new partners!

AM&AA New Member Breakfast

Want to learn how to make the most out of your membership and conference?

Join us for our New Member Breakfast — a perfect opportunity to get to know fellow members, meet our leadership team, and learn how to get value from the start. Enjoy an exclusive breakfast, with networking, and a brief orientation to introduce you to the conference, members, and benefits available to you.

Invitation only for new members. 

Breakfast & Networking

Get fueled for the day with a delicious breakfast. Maximize your meeting time and invite a colleague to join you! 

Registration & Exhibits Open

The AM&AA Registration & Hospitality Desk will be located in the Ballroom Foyer on Wednesday and will remain open throughout the day to assist with any questions you may have. Be sure to connect with exhibitors to learn how their services can help your business. 

Exhibits open at 8:00 a.m.

Breakout
 

Breakout
M&A Market Survey Report

See detailed results of the 2025 AM&AA Summer Market Report with data reported on over 2,000 deals. Analysis includes:

• Deal volume in the market
• Sale multiples
• Composition of consideration
• Target company financial performance
• Deal exports by industry

for deals closed in Q1 & Q2 in 2025, as well as deals under LOI in the current M&A pipeline. Additionally, detail on factors required to get deals under LOI and closed in today's current M&A climate will also be presented, along with how those factors have been changing over time. Data on the outlook for M&A for Q3 & Q4 in 2025 will also be presented, as well as the headwinds and tailwinds driving the forecast for the M&A market.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

AM&AA Deal Connect presented by Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Looking for a deal? Stop by Deal Connect to meet with middle market intermediaries and investment bankers bearing transaction opportunities stationed at designated tables. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity for private equity professionals!

General Session #3 – Tariffs, Taxes, and Transactions 

Tax and tariff policies play critical roles in shaping financial transactions, corporate strategies, and investment decisions. From changing corporate tax rates to evolving regulations on cross-border deals, businesses must navigate an increasingly complex landscape. This panel will bring together leading middle market experts to discuss the latest tax developments, their impact on mergers and acquisitions, and strategies for optimizing deal structures in a shifting regulatory environment.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

General Session #4 – Emerging Role of Operating Partners in Private Equity

Learn how private equity firms utilize operating partners to create value during the life cycle of an investment, including sourcing, diligence, execution, and strategic oversight, to differentiate in a competitive market. 

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Lunch & Awards Presentation

Continue connecting with your peers over lunch and help us recognize esteemed industry leaders for their achievements during a special presentation. 


 

AM&AA Deal Connect presented by Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Calling all private equity professionals! This is the last opportunity of the conference to schedule 1:1 meetings or drop by stationed middle-market intermediaries and investment bankers with open transaction opportunities. 

Breakout
 

Breakout
Intellectual Property Valuation – Best Practices in Understanding IP Portfolios

As intellectual property (IP) becomes increasingly vital in transactions, understanding IP portfolios and their true value is crucial for thorough commercial diligence and successful corporate deals. This session will explore best practices and innovative technology tools for evaluating technology portfolios and all aspects of IP—patents, trademarks, trade secrets, licenses, and copyrights. We will also share lessons learned from recent transactions, providing insights for companies involved in IP-driven deals.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

PRESENTED BY 


 

General Session #5 – AI in M&A: Way Beyond ChatGPT

While everyone focuses on Large Language Models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, for document generation, there are many types of AI and Machine Learning (ML) that drive value in diverse ways across the M&A lifecycle. Learn which deal phases pose the greatest opportunities and challenges, which deal processes are ripe for automation, and the types of AI/ML that are most suited to bring improvements to them. Also, learn why business development is one of the lowest-hanging fruits for AI in M&A.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

General Session #6 – What’s Next in the Evolution of Independent Sponsors

This panel will provide an overview on the rise and growth trends within the independent sponsor community and the advantages and disadvantages these firms face when breaking away from traditional private equity models. Trends show that more and more LP investors consider allocating capital to independent sponsor deals that present higher yield potential without the management fees and pooled investing restrictions that apply to fund offerings. While fundless sponsor models are gaining popularity and interest from broader capital markets, independent sponsors often face higher scrutiny to make up for the lack of committed capital and dry powder managed funds have at their disposal. Our panelists will share how the top independent sponsors across AM&AA’s network have overcome competitive adversities and best positioned themselves for long term success.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Closing Reception at Flight Club

Join us for happy hour down the block at nearby Flight Club to round out the conference. This event marks the pinnacle of the conference, offering unparalleled networking that you don't want to miss! 

Meet in the hotel lobby at 4:50 p.m. to walk to Flight Club two blocks from the hotel (3-min walk).