Agenda

Agenda details are subject to change—please check back often for updates and new speaker announcements.

Each General Session and Breakout Discussion is eligible for (1) CPE credit.

All times are listed in Central Time (CT).

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

7:00 AM - 6:30 PM

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. 

 
 
8:00 AM - 10:30 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.
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.

 
 
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 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:

 
 
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Exhibit Hall

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

 
 
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

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:

 
Himanshu Chaudhry
11:40 AM - 12:45 PM

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. 

 
 
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

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

Explore detailed information and transaction data on completed lower middle market M&A deals; get a fresh look at the AMAA Member survey data on market sentiment; and hear senior industry professionals discuss their views on the drivers of current M&A Market conditions. The program will finish up with a look at how the M&A Market is shaping up for the 2nd half of 2026.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge
 
Graeme Frazier Bill McCalpin
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

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

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the competitive landscape—and the way deals are evaluated. This session examines how AI is influencing cybersecurity risk, corporate strategy, and transaction dynamics in the middle market, along with the key questions dealmakers should be asking management teams, diligence providers, and investors as AI becomes a defining factor in business value.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge
 
Dr. Sean Saunders
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Breakout Session: M&A Market Survey 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

 
Bill McCalpin
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

AM&AA New Member Happy Hour

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

Join us for our New Member Happy Hour — 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 members. 

 
 
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, JuNE 10, 2026

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

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. 

 
 
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Breakfast & Chapter Networking

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

 
 
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

 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:

 
 
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

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

 
Sri Geedipalli Joaquin Contreras
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Breakout Session
More details to come!

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

 
 

Breakout: Strategic and Balanced - AI in M&A: Redefining the Deal Process
This roundtable brings together leading dealmakers to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the M&A landscape. Participants will discuss how AI is being applied to deal sourcing, due diligence, valuation, and integration—along with the strategic, legal, and ethical considerations shaping its adoption across the deal ecosystem.

Forward-Looking and Dynamic - The AI Advantage: How Technology Is Changing M&A Strategy and Execution
From accelerating due diligence to enhancing predictive insights, AI is reshaping every stage of the M&A process. This conversation brings together lawyers, private equity professionals, and investment bankers to examine real-world applications, evolving best practices, and emerging risks.

Putting It into Practice - Dealmakers + AI: Crafting Smarter Prompts & GPTs for Smarter Transactions
This hands-on session guides participants through creating and refining prompts that unlock ChatGPT’s value across the deal lifecycle. You’ll explore how AI can enhance diligence, valuation, deal structuring, and negotiation support—helping advisors work faster and deliver sharper insights. Please bring a laptop to participate in real-time practice and actionable, take-home AI skills."
 

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

 
John Cohan Matthew Bain Christine Hollinden Dr. Sean Saunders
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Awards Luncheon

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

 
 
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

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

 
Gina Luna Stuart Noel
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

AM&AA Executive Education

By Invite Only - Exclusive to AM&AA Members

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

 
 

Women of AM&AA: Table Talks
More details to come!

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

 
Lindsey Wendler Gina Luna
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

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

In this market, competing for investor attention requires more than a great deal, it takes a well-crafted story and the right strategy. This panel will dive into the art and science of connecting with potential buyers, from crafting standout pitch books and marketing materials to leveraging CRM systems, deal platforms, data intelligence, and AI. Panelists will also share how one-on-one meetings and thought leadership through articles, podcasts, webinars are key components to finding the best buyer. Join us to learn how to keep your firm top of mind in a competitive market.

CPE Credit: 1 - Specialized Knowledge

 

 
Lindsey Wendler Jennifer Marrinucci
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Closing Reception

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