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?
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Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
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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.
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Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
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Private Business Owners
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Members of Family Business Boards
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Professional Advisors
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Business Consultants
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Other Business Professionals
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Business Owners
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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.
About
Brenda has a strong drive to succeed that is rooted in being competitive, and she continually strives for personal growth. Prior to joining Benchmark International, Brenda owned and operated various businesses. She has been in our clients’ shoes before, as she sold her own business and understands the importance of feeling that you have a team who shares your goals and is there to guide and support you every step of the way.
Experience
Brenda started her career with Benchmark International as a Transaction Director. She successfully led a deal team consisting of analysts and dealmakers. Brenda and her team have helped guide many clients through each stage of Benchmark’s Fingerprint process. She has experience in a wide range of industries, including, but not limited to, automotive, healthcare, insurance, architecture & engineering, home services, logistics, and niche manufacturing. Brenda knows firsthand what it is like to start a business, work tirelessly to grow it, and make the decision that it is time to sell it.
As a Strategic Partnership Director, Brenda works closely with advisors and their clients to assess the business owner’s needs for going to market and transaction goals. When Brenda is not meeting with advisors and their clients, she is in one of our Transaction offices working closely with the team to keep her finger on the pulse of the M&A market. She thrives working in a fast-paced environment and has a talent for being able to understand each client’s unique opportunity.
Passion
Brenda is passionate about helping clients as they take the next steps in their exit and growth strategy. Whether the client is seeking a full exit or looking for a strategic partner, Brenda is passionate about guiding clients to achieve their goals while always keeping the client’s interests at the forefront.
When Brenda is away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs that were shelter rescues. They have a daughter who is a recent college graduate that they enjoy spending time. Brenda enjoys Pilates, cooking, traveling, reading, and being active in her community.