Registration 

Conference registration begins at 7:00 a.m. 
The AM&AA Registration will be located on the second floor to welcome and check you into the conference as you arrive on Tuesday. 

Deal Connect Meetings open at 8:00 a.m. to begin scheduling. 

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 8:00 a.m.
Invitation only for AM&AA Chapter Executive Committee Members.

 AM&AA Deal Connect 

The exclusive and highly anticipated Deal Connect allows M&A professionals to request meetings with table hosts who are focused deal makers. Stop by to make the most of your conference experience with this valuable opportunity!

Presented by:

Exhibit Hall

Visit with exhibitors and learn how their services can take your deal to the next level!

Breakout Session: Quarterbacking Tax-Efficient ESOP Transactions 
ESOPs are increasingly competing with private equity and strategic buyers, but complexities often determine success. This session focuses on how ESOP transactions are structured and led in real-world M&A processes, including feasibility analysis, valuation dynamics, financing and stakeholder alignment. We’ll explore how ESOPs can be positioned in competitive situations, when they deliver superior after-tax outcomes, and where deals commonly break down. You will gain practical insights into “quarterbacking” ESOP deals, from initial evaluation through closing. Come learn how to effectively advise clients considering ESOPs alongside traditional exit alternatives.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Presented by:

Welcome Luncheon

Kick off the 28th 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. 

General Session #1 - Market Update:  Current M&A Market Conditions and a Look Forward

General Session #2 - The AI Inflection Point:  Risk, Opportunity & the Deal Economy

Breakout Session: M&A Market Report

See detailed results of the 2026 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 2026, 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 2026 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 New & Legacy Member Happy Hour

Join us for 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 happy hour, with networking, and a brief orientation to introduce you to the conference, members, and benefits available to you.

Invitation only for new & legacy members. 

Opening Reception

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

Registration & Exhibit Hall

The AM&AA Registration Desk 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. 

Breakfast & Chapter Networking

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

 AM&AA Deal Connect 

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!

Presented by:

General Session #3 - The New Paradigm For Cross-Border M&A Transactions

The world has changed dramatically over the last few years. Companies seeking to achieve global growth mandates need to revise their playbooks to navigate shifting geopolitics, regulatory changes and technological advancements. Change creates opportunities and new avenues to achieve scale across borders. The panel will share their experiences closing such complex transactions and techniques to get ready for a new era of international transactions. 

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Breakout Session: The Family Office: What Gets a Meeting and a Deal Done

Family offices have become one of the most active buyer classes in the middle market.  Unfortunately, most M&A advisors lack a reliable way to identify them, qualify their mandates, or structure a pitch that gets traction. This session cuts through the noise with a practitioner's perspective. Ira J. Perlmuter, CIO at IJP Family Partners and investment officer for several billionaire families, will share how family office capital is actually deployed. Join him to find out what drives acquisition criteria, how deal flow reaches the right desk, and what separates the opportunities that move forward.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Presented By: 

Breakout: Strategic and Balanced - AI in Action
This dynamic hybrid session reimagines the traditional roundtable format by blending panel-style discussion with collaborative table conversations. Industry leaders will introduce timely AI topics, share real-world experiences, and demonstrate live how focused prompt engineering can dramatically impact. Attendees will engage directly with peers at their tables, exchange practical insights and contribute perspectives as the conversation evolves in real time. Designed to be highly participatory, this session encourages open dialogue around the opportunities, challenges, and everyday applications of AI across the industry.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Award Luncheon

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

General Session #4 - Sourcing, Competition & the Path to Liquidity

Private equity firms are holding longer and competing harder. This reality requires creativity, patience, and new approaches to value creation. This panel will explore the forces driving extended hold periods, partnering with independent sponsors to source deals, and how intensifying competition is reshaping investment strategies. Panelists will also examine emerging avenues to liquidity and what they mean for navigating a more complex and crowded deal environment.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

AM&AA Executive Education: The Practical Realities of Closing a Lower Middle-Market Deal

What legal issues keep M&A deals moving and what kills them? In this member-exclusive session, an experienced M&A attorney will walk through the key legal considerations that arise throughout the lifecycle of a lower middle market transaction, from LOI negotiations and due diligence to definitive agreements, closing, and post-closing obligations. Attendees will gain practical insights into identifying risks, overcoming common legal hurdles, and helping transactions reach a successful close.

By Invite Only - Exclusive to AM&AA Members

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

Women of AM&AA: Fireside & Table Talks: Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies

Join the Women of AM&AA for an engaging fireside chat with Gina Luna, Managing Partner of Genesis Park. In this candid conversation, Gina will share insights from her distinguished career in M&A, reflecting on the leadership lessons and strategic decisions that shaped her journey in a competitive and evolving industry.
 

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

General Session #5 - Intermediary Go-To-Market Playbook

Closing Reception

Wrap up an incredible week at the AMAA Summer Conference with our Closing Reception at AceBounce — just a short walk from the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel.

 Presented by: