Agenda
Agenda details are subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates and speaker additions.
Each General Session or Breakout Discussion are eligible for (1) CPE credit.
All listed times are Mountain Time Zone (MT).
monday, JANUARY 20, 2025
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM | The AM&AA Open Golf Tournament Conference attendees are invited to play in The AM&AA Open golf tournament on Monday prior to the Winter Conference. Players will be paired up based on provided preferences, ensuring valuable new connections and potential business opportunities. Don't miss this event designed for prime networking at a beautiful course in the #1 golf city in the country! Reserve your spot by selecting the add-on to purchase during registration or when modifying registration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM | AM&AA Advisory Council Meeting The AM&AA Advisory Council will discuss the organization's initiatives & strategies. |
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025
7:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 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. Breakfast served at 7:30 a.m. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM | Registration & Exhibits Open Conference registration begins at 10:00 a.m. 1:1 Meetings open at 10:30 a.m. to begin scheduling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Welcome Luncheon Kick off the 26th annual Winter 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | AM&AA Deal Connect presented by UHY 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! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM | General Session #1 – Market Update: New Year, Brighter Future for M&A Hear from industry experts in middle market M&A and private equity as they discuss current market characteristics, including data on completed transactions. The discussion will include a current market assessment on valuation, deal structuring and leverage. It will conclude with a view toward where M&A is headed in 2025, taking into consideration the improved marketplace fundamentals of lower interest rates and significant levels of un-invested capital that has been committed by institutional Limited Partners. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge PRESENTED BY Graeme Frazier, President | Private Capital Research, LLC Allan Siposs, Managing Director | Keystone Capital Markets Andrew Tomat, Managing Director | Four Pillars, Inc. Sharon Heaton, CEO | sbLiftOff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM | General Session #2 – Navigating the World of Continuation Vehicles Join this panel for valuable insights into the expanding continuation vehicle market, which can provide an attractive solution for liquidity in a challenging market. Panelists will explore the pros and cons of continuation vehicles for general partners, limited partners, and secondary investors. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge Charles Cox, Partner & Head of Business Development | LongueVue Capital Michael Blume, Partner | Tail End Capital Partners Ulrich Erasmus, Vice President | Kian Capital Partners Noam Hirschberger, Partner | PKF O'Connor Davies Tom Marking, Director | William Blair Jamie Smith, Partner | Forvis Mazars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4:20 PM - 5:00 PM | Perfume & Prosecco: A Reception Hosted by the Women of AM&AA Immerse yourself in an empowering afternoon of connection, creativity, and camaraderie. Enjoy prosecco (or your drink of choice) while crafting your own signature dealmaking scent. Hosted by the Women of AM&AA to celebrate and strengthen female networks within our community, this event warmly welcomes gentlemen who wish to join in the experience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4:20 PM - 5:10 PM | Breakout Uncover new opportunities and expand your professional network during this dynamic session of speed networking. Participants will rotate through designated tables during timed sessions prompting rapid yet meaningful interactions to exchange information, share insights, and explore potential synergies. All attendees are welcome to join, with a designated area reserved exclusively for AM&AA YoPro Members to foster connections and build relationships within their professional cohort. | Breakout Join the International Exit Planning Association’s Membership Committee Co-Chairs, Bruce Beickman and John Carter, for a dynamic table talk on the vital role of exit planning advisors in M&A success. Discover how collaboration between advisors, business owners, and transaction professionals can maximize value, streamline transitions, and achieve optimal outcomes. This interactive session offers practical insights, best practices, and an opportunity to connect with peers in an intimate setting. Perfect for M&A professionals and other senior level advisors looking to enhance their strategies, this session will provide actionable ideas to support successful transactions and lasting partnerships. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge PRESENTED BY
Bruce Beickman, Manager | Beickman Advisory John Carter, Principal Advisor of Business Exit Planning Solutions | BeReady Business Exit Solutions John Leonetti, President & CEO | Beacon Hill Equity Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Opening Reception Make the most of this opportunity to forge connections with industry power players and potential new partners! |
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Networking Get fueled for the day with a delicious breakfast. Maximize your meeting time and invite a colleague to join you! | CM&AA Reunion Breakfast Members of CM&AA are invited to a special breakfast recognizing their achievements. Invitation only for CM&AA instructors and recipients of the CM&AA designation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Registration & Exhibit Hall 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Breakout See detailed results of the 2025 Winter AM&AA Market Report with data reported on over 2,000 deals. Analysis includes:
for deals closed in Q2 & Q3 in 2024, 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 Q1 & Q2 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 | Breakout As lower middle market deal activity grows, aligning service value with deal size has become increasingly important. To meet these demands, it’s essential to adjust the scope and deliverables of diligence to match the needs of each transaction. Many deals require both legal and accounting diligence, but concerns around fees and services persist. This session will explore practical strategies and levers for tailoring diligence to better fit deal sizes, ensuring value without compromising quality. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge PRESENTED BY Christine Hollinden, Principal | Hollinden | inbound + strategists Michael Landers, Partner | UHY LLP Darryl Mazow, Partner | Shackelford McKinley & Norton, LLP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | AM&AA Deal Connect presented by UHY 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! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:10 AM - 11:00 AM | General Session #3 – Foundations of Success: Pre-LOI Due Diligence Essentials Join us for an insightful panel discussion on pre-Letter of Intent (LOI) due diligence in mergers and acquisitions. Our expert panelists will explore the strategies, challenges, and best practices for conducting thorough due diligence before formal commitments are made. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge Lindsey Wendler, Managing Director | 414 Capital Joe Basilico, Principal | Doeren Mayhew Jeff Michelson, Partner, Transaction Advisory | CohnReznick Robert Schroeder, Partner | BakerHostetler Eric Weiner, Partner | Blue Sage Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:20 AM - 12:10 PM | General Session #4 – Accelerating Success: Proven Strategies to Shorten Deal Timelines In today’s competitive market, speed is often the difference between a successful deal and a missed opportunity. This panel brings together experienced dealmakers to share actionable strategies that reduce the time from initial engagement to closing. From streamlining due diligence and fostering better communication to leveraging technology and optimizing negotiation processes, panelists will offer insights on how to overcome common delays and ensure faster, more efficient transactions. Whether you're an advisor, investment banker, or private equity professional, these practical techniques will help you close deals more quickly and capitalize on market opportunities. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge Lamar Stanley, Director | Highland Rim Capital Bobby Kingsbury, Managing Director | MCM Capital Partners LP Tim McCormack, Partner, Private Equity Services | RubinBrown Robert Rough, Managing Director | Telos Capital Advisors, LLC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Awards Presentation Continue connecting with your peers over lunch and help us recognize the recipients of the Thought Leader of the Year Award, presented by EisnerAmper, and Chapter Leader of the Year Award!
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1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | AM&AA Deal Connect presented by UHY 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:20 PM - 2:10 PM | Breakout The rise of AI in M&A brings both excitement and uncertainty. While risk management concerns persist, the potential for AI to streamline processes and create efficiencies in M&A deals is undeniable. But how can you harness AI’s power while maintaining 100% accuracy and control? CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge PRESENTED BY | Breakout Our table talk leaders will guide discussions on the latest leanings in M&A. Tables will be separated by topic to discuss these four key drivers in mergers and acquisitions:
This is a great opportunity to learn from fellow M&A professionals, while gaining insights, new referral sources, and building your network. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM | General Session #5 – Trends in Financing You Should Know About In discussing current trends in financing, this panel will share insights across debt capital markets; specifically addressing how changes in interest rates, inflation, and growth trends within middle market companies have impacted M&A transactions. Our panelists will also share their experiences in accessing financing options and what lender or capital source preference changes they’ve encountered when negotiating deal structures. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge Amanda Foyt, VP, Middle Market | Comerica Bank Todd Morrissey, Founding Partner | Hidden River Strategic Capital Stefan Shaffer, Managing Partner | SPP Capital Partners, LLC Kenneth Saffold, Managing Partner | o15 Capital Partners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:40 PM - 4:30 PM | General Session #6 – Post-Election Tax Changes: Impact on M&A Deals This panel will discuss the expected impact of post-election tax reforms on mergers and acquisitions based on the President Elect’s proposed tax plan. Experts will explore how changes in corporate taxes, capital gains, and international tax policies may affect deal structures, valuations, and market activity. Attendees will gain key insights into adapting M&A strategies in response to evolving tax regulations. CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge Eric Heath, Managing Director | Bluejay Advisors Jon Fotzler, Partner | Armanino Olga Loy, Partner | Chair, Tax Practice | Winston & Strawn LLP Richard Weiner, CPA | AAFCPAs Gregory Wilder, Senior Managing Director: Tax Strategies | Exemplar Companies, PBC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Closing Reception This event marks the pinnacle of the conference, offering unparalleled networking that you don't want to miss! |