Kick off the year with the Denver Chapter of the Exit Planning Institute, AM&AA and WoMAN as we explore the 2024 M&A landscape and look ahead to what 2025 has in store. Our panel of seasoned experts—George Helock, Carolyn Ryan, Brenda Spencer, and Bill Conway—will break down the trends, challenges, and opportunities that defined 2024 and share actionable insights for navigating the M&A market in 2025. Gain an insider’s perspective on what business owners need to know to maximize value and position their companies for a successful sale.
Learning Objectives:
- Review key trends and developments in M&A activity from 2024
- Analyze the projected outlook for M&A in 2025, including anticipated market shifts
- Identify critical factors business owners should consider when preparing to sell in 2025
- Discuss how external economic conditions may influence deal structures and valuations
- Understand strategies to mitigate risks and enhance business value ahead of a sale
About the Presenters:
Hear from industry experts, George Helock, Carolyn Ryan, Brenda Spencer, and Bill Conway
Thank you to our Sponsors
Event Location
Event Details
Who Should Attend?
-
Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
-
CPAs/Accountants
Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.
-
Wealth Managers
You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.
-
Financial Advisors
One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.
-
Valuation Analysts
Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.
-
Investment Bankers
Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.
-
Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
-
Strategic Consultants
One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.
-
Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
-
Commercial Lenders
One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.
-
Mergers & Acquisition Advisors
Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.
-
Family Business Advisors
More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.
-
Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
-
Private Business Owners
-
Members of Family Business Boards
-
Professional Advisors
-
Business Consultants
-
Other Business Professionals
-
Business Owners
-
Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
An energetic, collaborative professional leveraging multiple skillsets and experiences to help middle market companies, SMBs, and investors achieve their transaction goals from pre-sale preparation through post-acquisition integration. In his current role, George is assisting LCG in their expansion to the West by creating a western HQ in Denver, along with building a client base across the region. George enjoys building teams, relationships, and connecting other professionals throughout the Colorado community and beyond.
With a passion for golf and youth, George currently serves as the treasurer of The First Tee of Colorado Rocky Mountains ("CRM"), which is an organization serving over 10,000 kids throughout Colorado! The mission of The First Tee of CRM is to educate and inspire youth academically, socially, and physically through the game of golf. In addition to on-course programming and weekly tournaments, The First Tee of CRM operates in more than 30 schools, provides up to 5 $10,000 college scholarships, peer mentoring, and job opportunities for HS students, which includes professional development training.
I tell the stories of a select group of great companies and entrepreneurs that result in successful outcomes. I enjoy working with high energy and motivated executives and lead them in executing an M&A transaction, raising capital or a corporate finance matter, evolving from a well vetted strategy.
I participate with executive management teams in shaping business strategy and being a voice of reason regarding what is possible and, equally important, what is not possible, in setting and managing expectations.
My dynamic and diverse network (local, regional and national) of seasoned executive and service professionals often serve as resources (legal, tax, banking, institutional capital and family offices) in solving problems or capitalizing on opportunities. I have significant experience in energy, utilities, infrastructure and healthcare.
Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $11 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network as well as the #1 Sell-side Exclusive M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook’s Global League Tables.