The 2026 State of the Institute Address
Delivered by Exit Planning Institute President Scott Snider, this annual broadcast outlines the year’s priorities in exit planning. Scott will highlight the progress, innovations, and initiatives shaping the future of EPI and the advisor community. He’ll share key updates from the past year and discuss how the industry continues to evolve to meet the needs of CEPAs, advisors, and business owners worldwide.
Attendees will gain insight into where we’re headed next as an organization and as a community. We’ll look at findings from the Generational State of Owner Readiness reports, take a first look at the 2026 Exit Planning Summit, explore how new EPI Academy programs help advisors put education into action, and see how DriveValue.com continues to connect our growing community in new and meaningful ways.
It’s all part of a bigger vision: helping advisors do better work, helping owners build stronger companies, and continuing to move this industry forward.
Learning Objectives:
-
Examine how exit planning continues to evolve
-
Identify key trends from the Generational State of Owner Readiness
-
Preview what’s next for EPI, the 2026 Summit, and the future of exit planning
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Scott Snider is the President of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI) and the Operating Partner of Snider Premier Growth, a small family investment company. Scott is a nationally recognized industry leader, growth specialist, and lifetime entrepreneur. He launched his first business at the age of 17. At 24, he sold to a strategic buyer (his first “exit”) and joined his father’s, Chris Snider, private exit planning and M&A firm Aspire Management. At the time, the firm was looking to dominate Northeast Ohio’s exit planning space.
With their passion for business strategy and serving owners and advisors alike, Scott and his father Chris purchased the Exit Planning Institute (EPI), introduced the Value Acceleration Methodology, wrote an award-winning book called Walking to Destiny, and effectively increased the business size by 10x.
As an exited business owner himself, Scott’s passion is helping business owners create significant companies while aligning their personal financial plans and helping the owner find and tap their personal purpose. He and his EPI team achieve this through educating professional advisors who surround the business owner during this journey. Creating not only significant companies but significant teams and outcomes.
Outside of business, Scott is active inside of the Northeast Ohio community. He serves on various boards including America SCORES Cleveland and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program at St. Edward High School. Scott is a former professional indoor soccer player and team owner in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).