Conference Program - Business Transitions Forum : Business Transitions Forum

Conference Program — DRAFT

2024 CONFERENCE CHAIR

Todd Millar

President & CEO, TEC Canada

Welcome to the 8th annual Business Transitions Forum in Alberta

"Join us this Spring at the Hyatt Regency Calgary as we unite entrepreneurs and experts to share invaluable insights and stories on the journey of business growth and transition. Whether you're in the early phases of consideration or well-advanced through the process, you'll have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and connect with like-minded peers who can provide valuable guidance for your transition strategy."

Enjoy the conference!

Alberta lawyers may consider including this course as a CPD learning activity in your mandatory annual Continuing Professional Development Plan as required by the Law Society of Alberta.

This conference is also recognized by the Family Enterprise Canada for 7 hours of professional development for FEA designations.

All Days VIP Welcome Reception Conference Entrepreneur Workshop

April 30, 2024 | VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

May 1, 2024 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM

7:15AM - 8:00AM

Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast

8:00AM – 8:10AM

Forum Overview by Conference Chair

Chair: Todd Millar, President & CEO, TEC Canada

8:10AM - 8:40AM

Economic Outlook and Impacts for Entrepreneurs

The decisions you make today will ultimately impact your business in the future. This session will provide insights into both a macro view of the economy, as well as cast a lens on regional and industry sector differences. You will walk away with:

An overview of the current economic conditions and market trends that business owners need to consider when thinking about your business.
An understanding of how these trends impact your business.
Insights into the current M&A environment, such as industry consolidations, leading acquirers and other factors which might affect the future of your business.

8:40AM – 9:10AM

You Gotta Let Me Know: Should I Sell or Should I Grow

Factors business owner should consider for the best long-term value for their business

As a business owner, it is important to have a plan to maximize the overall return you achieve on the capital, time and energy you invest in your business. Deciding whether and when to sell all or a portion of your business will help determine your success. Key considerations include (i) the number of years you are willing to commit to the future management of the business; (ii) the depth of your management team; (iii) your personal appetite for risk; and (iv) the marketability and scalability of your business. During this session we will explore each of these topics and review:

Alternative transaction structures and approaches, including sales to a strategic buyer, management buy-outs and private equity sponsored deals
Tips for increasing financial sustainability for the long term (for you or a future buyer) through diversification, greater market share, potential synergies and cost reductions
Red flags that will set potential investors or partners running
How the current environment (economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, talent shortages, high interest rates, etc.) might affect your analysis and the potential timing of each alternative transaction structure.

9:10AM – 10:00AM

Growth or Exit Strategies that Provide the Greatest ROI

Strategies to Quickly Expand Your Business

The best time start growing your company was yesterday. Every entrepreneur has dreams and ideas to expand their business, but the big question is knowing the right time to jump… where and how high? 

Business growth plans such as developing new products or services, expanding customer markets, increasing sales initiatives, opening new locations, increasing revenue streams, automating work processes and acquisitions are all exciting plans.  Before rushing into expansion, however, business owners need to assess if they are ready for growth. When business starts to scale up, systems can begin to crack under the pressure. Weaknesses can be exposed that can’t always fix them once the journey’s started.   

This session will: 

Compare different “textbook” growth strategies and help you surface which ones are the best and most practical for you
Help you understand the difference between business growth and scaling
Help you create objectives as part of developing a strategy for growth

10:00AM – 10:45AM

Networking & Coffee Break

10:45AM – 11:45AM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions on Business Growth

Taking (Some) Chips Off the Table: Exploring Alternative Options

This session will address Management Buyouts and Partnerships with Minority Investors

The pandemic has prompted a surge in non-traditional M&A deal structures, accelerated deals and rapid changes in business needs and opportunities. After this rollercoaster ride – perhaps you want to re-risk your business, while still maintaining control?

There are a number of transition options that aren’t reliant on a large amount of cash, and can take a variety of different forms, such as a management buyout or buy-in (MBO/MBI), acquiring minority stakes or entering cooperative arrangements through joint ventures, alliances, or partnerships as a success strategy. 

This session will cover topics such as:

Strategies for MBO/MBI or investors
Different types of financing options to increase cash flow and growth opportunities
Factors to consider in an alternate financing structure can help you grow
Trends in alternative deal structures that don’t require a total sale of your business

Growth By Acquisition: What You Need to Know Before Buying a Business

Considerations For Acquisitive Entrepreneurs

Implementing an outbound M&A strategy at your company is a high-value, high stakes game. How can you establish your M&A Mindset? The M&A process is intensive, with many steps – it can often take many months to identify acquisition targets, initiate and close transactions – all while you’re still operating your business. Learn how to operate and run your business while embedding process that will improve M&A outcomes.

Identifying and comparing acquisition strategies for your business
Financing acquisitions
Examples of successful and failed acquisitions

Can Your Business Run Without You?

Whether you want to sell some or all of your business, or simply step away from day-to-day business activities – you should be asking if your company can run by itself. Furthermore, is it time to step aside to hire a CEO to replace yourself?

Why would you want to do this? Understanding your strengths (and weaknesses) is the key to the success of your business. This session will help you better understand the steps to ensuring your team and business can run by itself, and if it’s time to consider stepping out of the way of a new CEO to position your business for greater growth, a longer legacy and/or a more successful transition.

Pro-tip: A business that can run by itself is usually more appealing to acquirers.

11:45AM – 12:45PM

Networking Lunch

12:45PM – 1:15PM

The 90 Year Old Princess – Growing and Transitioning an Iconic Family Business

Join Bob Tallman, Former Owner and CEO of Princess Auto discuss the growth, transition and success of Canada’s leading auto retailer. He will share specific details about some of their missteps and failures, along with the difficult challenges of running a family business. Bob will also explain in simple terms how the people are the core of everything at Princess.

1:25PM – 2:15PM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions on Planning for Transition

DETERMINING THE VALUE OF YOUR COMPANY AND HOW TO INCREASE IT

Every business owner should be building to maximize the value of the business. Most, however, spend too little time considering the true drivers of long-term value creation while operating in the firefighting day-to-day. Do you really know what your business is worth? What do buyers or investors look for when considering a deal? Where can you add the most value to your organization? What areas of growth will provide the greatest return? Every successful business will experience a transition of ownership at some point and most business owners don’t get nearly what they should because they weren’t prepared. As a business owner, it’s imperative to focus on the specific areas of your business that drive value, even if you have no immediate intention of selling.

In this session you will learn:

Common (and uncommon) value drivers
How the most successful companies plan for growth
Understanding why future growth strategies impact valuations more than past sales

Structuring Your Business to Sell: Are You Ready?

Knowing if you can afford to sell, and when you are ready to take the leap is the most difficult decision for many business owners. In addition to building a comprehensive succession plan and ensuring your organizational structure will not leave you with a giant tax bill, it is important to address the other factors to ensure a happy and prosperous life after the close. Have you considered what life looks like after the close? The ability to shift from an entrepreneurial mindset to a capital management position requires planning and the right preparation and time to implement appropriate strategies. There are a number of opportunities to maximize the money in your pocket and ensure your financial success long after the close.

This session will look at real-world examples:

How to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization
What options to consider to reap the benefits and avoid pitfalls
Tactics to avoid common post-sale surprises (… and unexpected tax bills)
Wealth management tips and managing former business expenses post-transition
Preparing for the emotional rollercoaster of transition

LESSONS LEARNED FROM TRANSITIONING A FAMILY BUSINESS

Lessons learned from a second generation perspective

Family businesses are unique in that transitioning them to the next generation is a complex, often deeply emotional, endeavor. As a young family owner, aspiring to one day take the reins, how do you prepare for such a monumental responsibility. As an exiting parent (or other family member), how do you impart years of experience and knowledge and ensure younger family members are successful, yet able to chart their own path? For all parties, the goal is to create a business that is resilient, while keeping the legacy intact. Building capacity in the next generation needs to begin early on, and you may also need to consider outside, non-family executives.

What measures do you need to be taking to professionalize your family owned and operated firm?
How are you supporting a shift in leadership?
How do you ensure you have the right governance in place?
In this session second generation business owners will share their recent experiences and perspectives in taking over the family business.

2:15PM - 2:45PM

Afternoon Networking & Coffee Break

2:45PM – 3:15PM

What’s Your Company Really Worth – How Do You Value Your Business?

Do you really know what your business is worth? Most business owners don’t get nearly what they should because they weren’t prepared, and this can gravely affect the value of your company. As a business owner, it’s imperative to focus on the specific areas of your business that drive value, even if you have no immediate intention of selling. Furthermore, a successful sale for your shareholders can be very different from what you, the business owner, defines as a success. From the get-go you should understand the levers you need to “push or pull” in order to optimize the results you are looking for.

This session will explore key value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the saleability of your business.

3:15PM - 4:00PM

Transition Stories – The Good, The Bad & The Different

Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through transition with their business and now have the opportunity to share their tales from the trenches. This panel will share insights on:

What they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and what would they have done differently
Did they get the price they asked for based on timing and deal terms
Key learnings they have brought into their next endeavours
The personal side of post-transition

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Cocktails & Conversation Networking Reception

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice

May 2, 2024 | ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP (ADD-ON OPTIONAL)

Masterclass Workshop – A Deeper Dive

(add-on, half day workshop for entrepreneurs)

“How to Maximize The Selling Price of Your Business and Protect Yourself In The Process”

A not-to-be-missed educational workshop for business owners who are serious about maximizing the proceeds of an eventual sale.

In this two-part, half-day workshop we’ll take a deep dive into operational and financial engineering that can take years to execute – guaranteed to increase the value of your business and improve the probability of finding buyers when the time is right.  We’ll show you which areas of your business buyers value most (and why), and explain how to manage personal and corporate risk.

(Only 50 seats available. Business owners only. Workshop is an additional charge.)

8:00AM - 8:30AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30AM – 9:15AM

Creating & Working Through the Transition Checklist

The secret to succession planning success is to be ready to sell, even if your business is not for sale. By being proactive, you’ll maximize the value of your business when the time, buyer and terms are right. Selling or otherwise exiting a business is, by far, the most complex transaction that most entrepreneurs will ever undertake. Detailed planning is instrumental and ideally begins long before any decision to sell. Starting your transition checklist is key to the end result.

Some general key points to include:

Define overarching goals – Self-assessment of primary reasons for transition: When is the right time to transition or otherwise exit?
Plan for successors
Explore tax opportunities and maximize retirement income
Effectively communicate your succession plan
Build a contingency plan

9:15AM – 10:00AM

Value Creation for your Business

Value assessment: What is your company worth? Common methods of assessing value will be addressed.
Operational and financial bootcamp. What areas of your business should you focus on to increase value + surprising areas of your business that can destroy value.
What buyers are looking for and why some businesses are considerably more attractive than other businesses.
The competitive sale process: Learn how a competitive sale process works, and why it is the best way to maximize price and terms of an eventual sale.

10:00AM – 10:30AM

Refreshment Break – Network With Other Business Owners

10:30AM – 11:15AM

Do I need an Exit Team and Why?

The successful sale of a business involves many moving parts, making it the largest and possibly most complicated transaction of your life. You can’t do this alone. You will need a team of professionals to help you successfully sell your company. The right team will get you the best price, terms and most importantly, ensure that the transaction closes.

After attending this workshop, you will understand what the ideal exit team looks like and how to select the best advisors for your business. You’ll also learn what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid.

11:15AM – 12:00 PM

The Due Diligence Process & Why Sellers Should Care

While the idea of providing unfettered access to the confidential information pertaining to your business may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure when it comes to transitioning your business to an outsider. Learn about ways to maintain control of process without impeding success. While you may only go through the process with a buyer who you believe is qualified and fully committed to completion, many deals collapse at the due diligence stage. Buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots. This is your opportunity to learn about common “deal breakers” so that you and your advisors can prepare for them and maintain momentum during this crucial phase.

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice

May 1, 2024 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM

7:15AM - 8:00AM

Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast

8:00AM – 8:10AM

Forum Overview by Conference Chair

Chair: Todd Millar, President & CEO, TEC Canada

8:10AM - 8:40AM

Economic Outlook and Impacts for Entrepreneurs

An overview of the current economic conditions and market trends that business owners need to consider when thinking about your business.
An understanding of how these trends impact your business.
Insights into the current M&A environment, such as industry consolidations, leading acquirers and other factors which might affect the future of your business.

8:40AM – 9:10AM

You Gotta Let Me Know: Should I Sell or Should I Grow

Factors business owner should consider for the best long-term value for their business

Alternative transaction structures and approaches, including sales to a strategic buyer, management buy-outs and private equity sponsored deals
Tips for increasing financial sustainability for the long term (for you or a future buyer) through diversification, greater market share, potential synergies and cost reductions
Red flags that will set potential investors or partners running
How the current environment (economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, talent shortages, high interest rates, etc.) might affect your analysis and the potential timing of each alternative transaction structure.

9:10AM – 10:00AM

Growth or Exit Strategies that Provide the Greatest ROI

Strategies to Quickly Expand Your Business

The best time start growing your company was yesterday. Every entrepreneur has dreams and ideas to expand their business, but the big question is knowing the right time to jump… where and how high? 

This session will: 

Compare different “textbook” growth strategies and help you surface which ones are the best and most practical for you
Help you understand the difference between business growth and scaling
Help you create objectives as part of developing a strategy for growth

10:00AM – 10:45AM

Networking & Coffee Break

10:45AM – 11:45AM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions on Business Growth

Taking (Some) Chips Off the Table: Exploring Alternative Options

This session will address Management Buyouts and Partnerships with Minority Investors

This session will cover topics such as:

Strategies for MBO/MBI or investors
Different types of financing options to increase cash flow and growth opportunities
Factors to consider in an alternate financing structure can help you grow
Trends in alternative deal structures that don’t require a total sale of your business

Growth By Acquisition: What You Need to Know Before Buying a Business

Considerations For Acquisitive Entrepreneurs

Identifying and comparing acquisition strategies for your business
Financing acquisitions
Examples of successful and failed acquisitions

Can Your Business Run Without You?

Pro-tip: A business that can run by itself is usually more appealing to acquirers.

11:45AM – 12:45PM

Networking Lunch

12:45PM – 1:15PM

The 90 Year Old Princess – Growing and Transitioning an Iconic Family Business

1:25PM – 2:15PM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions on Planning for Transition

DETERMINING THE VALUE OF YOUR COMPANY AND HOW TO INCREASE IT

In this session you will learn:

Common (and uncommon) value drivers
How the most successful companies plan for growth
Understanding why future growth strategies impact valuations more than past sales

Structuring Your Business to Sell: Are You Ready?

This session will look at real-world examples:

How to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization
What options to consider to reap the benefits and avoid pitfalls
Tactics to avoid common post-sale surprises (… and unexpected tax bills)
Wealth management tips and managing former business expenses post-transition
Preparing for the emotional rollercoaster of transition

LESSONS LEARNED FROM TRANSITIONING A FAMILY BUSINESS

Lessons learned from a second generation perspective

What measures do you need to be taking to professionalize your family owned and operated firm?
How are you supporting a shift in leadership?
How do you ensure you have the right governance in place?
In this session second generation business owners will share their recent experiences and perspectives in taking over the family business.

2:15PM - 2:45PM

Afternoon Networking & Coffee Break

2:45PM – 3:15PM

What’s Your Company Really Worth – How Do You Value Your Business?

This session will explore key value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the saleability of your business.

3:15PM - 4:00PM

Transition Stories – The Good, The Bad & The Different

Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through transition with their business and now have the opportunity to share their tales from the trenches. This panel will share insights on:

What they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and what would they have done differently
Did they get the price they asked for based on timing and deal terms
Key learnings they have brought into their next endeavours
The personal side of post-transition

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Cocktails & Conversation Networking Reception

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice

May 2, 2024 | ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP (ADD-ON OPTIONAL)

Masterclass Workshop – A Deeper Dive

(add-on, half day workshop for entrepreneurs)

“How to Maximize The Selling Price of Your Business and Protect Yourself In The Process”

A not-to-be-missed educational workshop for business owners who are serious about maximizing the proceeds of an eventual sale.

(Only 50 seats available. Business owners only. Workshop is an additional charge.)

8:00AM - 8:30AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30AM – 9:15AM

Creating & Working Through the Transition Checklist

Some general key points to include:

Define overarching goals – Self-assessment of primary reasons for transition: When is the right time to transition or otherwise exit?
Plan for successors
Explore tax opportunities and maximize retirement income
Effectively communicate your succession plan
Build a contingency plan

9:15AM – 10:00AM

Value Creation for your Business

Value assessment: What is your company worth? Common methods of assessing value will be addressed.
Operational and financial bootcamp. What areas of your business should you focus on to increase value + surprising areas of your business that can destroy value.
What buyers are looking for and why some businesses are considerably more attractive than other businesses.
The competitive sale process: Learn how a competitive sale process works, and why it is the best way to maximize price and terms of an eventual sale.

10:00AM – 10:30AM

Refreshment Break – Network With Other Business Owners

10:30AM – 11:15AM

Do I need an Exit Team and Why?

11:15AM – 12:00 PM

The Due Diligence Process & Why Sellers Should Care

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice

Conference Program — DRAFT

Pierre Cléroux

Kelly R. Ford

Georgia Grundmanis

Constantine Hatzipanayis

Mark Brodkin

Alan Chettiar

Wilson Acton

Julie Afanasiff

Darren Benson

Andrew Burt

Cody Church

Tabreez Lila

Scarlett Crockatt

Pamela Draper

Anne Evamy

John Evans

Shauna Feth

Ryan Giles

Cheryl Grant

Kristi Miller

Don Montgomery

Jonathan Herman

Jalal Jetha

Matthew Kellow

Matt Knight

Rob Normandeau

Meghan Bell

Dean Koeller

Axel Christiansen

Debby Carreau

Randy Koroluk

Jim Crooks

Chris LaBossiere

Steve Chen

Tom Kramer

Dino Deluca

Shane Dunn

Jeff Litster

Matt Flynn

Andrew Ramsay

Grant Kook

Andrew Kemper

BDC | PRESENTING

True North | Venture

Paul Barbeau

Mike McIsaac

STS Capital Partners | Edm22 Cocktails & Conversations

Rob Bertram

Lesley Bowman

Cheryl Lockhart

Ted Bradshaw

Shannon Chmelyk

Eric Colberg

Chad Danard

Kristin Delwo

Geoff Devereux

Darrell Friesen

Allison Maher

Brad Gaulin

Dena Gillies

Kira Gregson

Mick MacBean

Ceilidh Hemmati

Ashley Hoffer

Ray Yue

Brian Jones

Julia Loney

Jerry Koonar

Tina Di Vito

Adam Mallon

Josh Matthews

David Laycraft

Tyler Armstrong

Todd Millar

Mackenzie Regent

Kevin Campbell

Jerry Koonar

Kleo Landucci

Diana Noble