Invite Only

How does the current mergers and acquisitions environment in Alberta recalibrate when the Energy sector continues to look for upward momentum? How does the current cycle impact business owners that are thinking of transitioning in the coming years?  How will financial markets, interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact potential transition outcomes and your ability to sell some or all of your business in the short term or long term? How does today’s market environment affect details like terms and multiples?

What trends are set to impact the biggest transaction of your life?

Recurring revenue is the holy grail for an acquirer and the secret sauce for driving up the value of your business. If you can demonstrate that your sales will continue long after you’re gone, an acquirer will pay more to buy your business today.

In this ground-breaking session, John Warrillow, the Author of The Automatic Customer and Founder of The Value Builder System™ will reveal:

• The surprising impact recurring revenue has on the value of your business
• The three hidden benefits of creating recurring revenue
• The 9 subscription models you can choose from to create recurring revenue in any industry
• The one ratio that will determine if your company is sellable and how much a buyer will pay

If you’re keen to maximize the value for your business, don’t miss this unique opportunity to see how you can create automatic customers no matter what industry you’re in.

You’re contemplating ways to turn years of hard work into cash, but what are your options?  Should you look to your senior management team as potential investors, assuming they are interested and able to invest in your business?  Should you look outside your firm for strategic buyers?  Could private equity, traditional and non-traditional lenders or other entities provide liquidity opportunities?  In this session a panel of experts will help you learn what distinguishes different classes of buyers, depending on your size of business, and what other options are available to you to generate capital.  A variety of scenarios will be specifically addressed, including the pros and cons of options to “go liquid.”

• Strategic buyers
• Private equity
• Going public
• Buying out partners
• Management buyouts
• Other recapitalization options

If you have been a beneficiary, trustee or creator of a family trust – or have been thinking about putting a family trust in place – you likely have found your experiences and discussions about family trusts to create more confusion than clarity. Family trusts often hold a significant amount of a family’s wealth – especially if the trust owns (or owned) shares of a family business. Yet the beneficiaries may be (or may be perceived to be) ill prepared to receive vast amounts of wealth. This situation, as explored through real life examples, can have unintended outcomes. In this session, the speaker will provide an introduction to family trusts in the context of family businesses and share examples where things can go sideways. Against this background, thought leadership in trust governance will be explored to illustrate how trusts can prepare the rising generation to further your family’s financial, social and personal goals in the context of a family business.

This session runs at the same time as Session A2.

While the idea of providing unfettered access to confidential information pertaining to your business may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure when it comes to transitioning your business to an outsider.  While you will only go through this process with a buyer who is qualified, committed and has agreed in writing to keep the information confidential, many deals collapse at the due diligence stage.  The buyer will be on the lookout for red flags or trouble spots or try and grind value. This is your opportunity to learn about the major deal-breakers so that you can prepare for them, protect your price and maintain momentum during this crucial phase.

This session runs at the same time as Session A1.

Join Conference Chairman Cody Church in a “fireside” chat with Jeff  Polovick, as they discuss the unique sale of DRIVING FORCE, one of Canada’s largest independent vehicle rentals, sales and leasing companies, which Jeff founded in 1978.

When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. Your tax obligations could be complicated by many factors such as: tax obligations in more than one jurisdiction; the desire to use certain exemptions or rollovers; a plan to gift shares; a sale of assets versus shares; the tax attributes of your company; owning passive investment assets in your corporation; cross-border activity; and much more!  Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities to reduce or even eliminate tax, with the right preparation and enough time to implement.  The moral of the story?  Establish your structure and get your “tax ducks in a row” well in advance of a potential sale or transfer of your business and reap the benefits.  The presenters will discuss real-world examples of proper versus improper planning related to the transition of your business so you can avoid pitfalls.

This session runs at the same time as Session B2.

You’ve spent all your time and energy on building and selling your business and now it’s time for the hard part.  That is, ensuring your family, legacy and financial success remains intact and continues to prosper. Our assembled panel has worked with business owners and family offices around the globe and will share positive experiences, some common challenges, your endless options, and immediately actionable best practices one must undertake before and after selling their life’s work.

This session runs at the same time as Session B1.

It’s often possible to sell your business for much more if you do everything right. Unlike selling shares on the stock exchange, or a home in the residential real estate market, the market for selling your business is described as “inefficient” by economists. In an inefficient market, the price you receive can be significantly affected by the selling process. Plan and execute the process well and you could increase the price of your company by as much as 50%.

You’ll learn why:

• Companies should be sold – not bought
• It’s critically important to have multiple bidders

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.  Different sizes and types of organizations will require different specialized advisors.

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

How does the current economic trend in Alberta impact the biggest transaction of your life? How will financial markets, interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact deal terms and multiples? This macro view of the economy and the M&A environment in Alberta will put things into perspective so that you can plan for a successful transition.

The process of selling or transitioning a business is complicated and uncertain. This session provides a bird’s-eye view of the transition process so that you can build your own roadmap when the time is right to exit your business. You will learn where to start, and what areas of the process provide the most opportunity and risk so you can successfully exit your business with confidence.

Do you really know what your business is worth? Many business owners are disappointed when they don’t receive the valuations they expect.  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. This session will outline key value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the saleability and value of your business. 

It took years to build your business and now you are ready to turn your hard work into cash, but what are your options? Should you look to your senior management team as potential investors? Should you look outside your firm for strategic buyers? What is the best option for you and your business? In this session, a panel of experts will discuss a variety of liquidity options and what distinguishes different classes of buyers based on your type and size of business. This session will help attendees prioritize which of the following breakouts to attend (A1, A2, A3).

• Strategic buyers
• Private equity
• Buying out partners
• Management buyouts
• Other recapitalization options

There are many reasons to look outside the ranks of your firm or family to find a potential suitor for your business.  Depending on the size and type of business you operate and your own personal circumstances – marketing your company to strategic, financial or other buyers, including private equity, might be your most lucrative exit strategy.  

That said, the values discussed in any potential offer for your business will vary significantly depending on the type of potential third party buyers approached; and even moreso, by how potential buyers are approached.

The panel will elaborate on best practices that will help you optimize and strategize a 3rd party transition – with the goal of ultimately finding and securing a buyer at a fair price. Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:

• Which types of third party buyers are potential suitors
• Why companies should be sold, not bought
• How to decide on the breadth and nature of a sale process
• Why timing and deal tension matters, and how to create it
• Which terms have an impact on price, and which do not
• The roles an advisor can play through the sale process

While a transition within the senior ranks of your business or to a business partner may be the best option, there are risks and potential missteps to avoid.  The panel will identify opportunities that could impact your successful MBO, as well as diverse ways to finance the transaction. They will cover:

• Management Buyout (MBO) and Leveraged Management Buyout (LMBO)
• What buyers will need to ensure that the venture is profitable
• The impact and strategies to increase cash flow
• Different types of financing
• Strategies for partner buyouts
• Opportunities and risks

Transitioning a business can be a complicated process – especially when family is involved.  The Melton Family’s diverse business interests span 4 generations of family history.  In this session, you will hear first-hand experiences related to the growth and evolution of this family enterprise. The family members will share their unique perspectives on how to successfully plan for family business transition.

Join conference chairman Harold Kunik in a “fireside” chat with Claude Cloutier, President, Ambassador Mechanical

When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the sale price in your pocket. Fortunately, with the right preparation and enough time to implement, there are a number of opportunities to limit or even eliminate tax. However, you need to consider more than just the tax bill when planning a restructure. We will look at how to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization, including real life examples. This session will also review in detail the new proposed tax regulations that will impact all private businesses.

The sale process of a business involves many complicated moving parts. To successfully sell or transition your company, you need the right team of professionals to get the best price, terms and peace of mind.

After attending this session, you will understand the benefits of having an exit team, how to select the best advisors for your business, what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid. Post-transition plans will also be addressed. 

Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through a transition with their businesses and now have the opportunity to reflect on the process in the rear view mirror. What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Would they negotiate differently? Would they identify different strategic consultants or would they second guess their decision to sell? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.

Many deals collapse at the structuring or due diligence stage. Buyers and Sellers often have differing needs and objectives. And while the idea of providing unfettered access to your confidential business information may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure once a letter of intent is signed. This panel discussion will highlight key areas of tension and risk for sellers. You’ll learn ways to maintain control of the sale process without impeding success.

You will hear first-hand stories that outline what owners and advisors have experienced during the transition journey.  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 to ensure you maintain deal momentum during your transaction.

• Structuring your business for sale on your terms while maintaining its attraction for prospective purchasers
• Disagreements over calculation of purchase price and timing for payment of purchase price, whether there’s a holdback or not
• Dealing with issues that come up during due diligence (e.g. fixing historic issues)
• Understanding how to have your employees and customers on side and when to advise key staff on the pending changes
• Sharing risk in the deal (including limitations on claims that can be brought by purchaser), and
• Working capital issues/adjustments – how owners can avoid getting hammered on this subject.

*The conference has been approved for the following continuing education credits:
– 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.
– FEA designates may earn 7 hours of CE for the entire conference.
– CPAs may include this content as verifiable CPD credits.

Introduction by Matthew Kellow, Vice President, Growth and Transition Capital, BDC Capital

The decisions you make today will ultimately impact your business in the future. What are the current economic conditions and market trends that business owners need to consider when thinking about transition? How will the current political climate impact the economy? How will interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact Canadian businesses? This macro view of the economy and the M&A environment will put things into perspective so that you can plan for the biggest transaction of your life.

Performance, leadership and culture are key factors to consider in order to increase the valuation of your business. Understanding how strength in these areas drive value is critical. This session will outline a number of factors that require attention in order to maximize growth, professionalization and saleability, even if you have no plans to sell.

There are different types of buyers: strategic, private equity, management and family among them. Understanding your potential buyer universe will help clarify your objectives for selling and what you want success to look like. In learning about the different classes of buyers and capitalization options, you will quickly see that it isn’t a one size fits all game. It’s about the best fit for your type and size of business. In this session you will hear from different buyers and what influences their purchasing decisions. This session will help attendees prioritize which of the following breakouts to attend (A1, A2, A3).

There are many reasons involved in looking outside the ranks of your firm or family to find a potential suitor for your business. Depending on the size and type of business that you operate and your own personal circumstances, positioning your company to strategic, financial or other types of buyers including private equity, might be your most lucrative exit strategy. This session will dive into the mechanisms of selling your business to a third party for the best price and terms.

Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:

• Which types of third party buyers are potential suitors
• How to decide on the breadth and nature of a sale process
• Why timing and creating deal tension matters
• Terms that affect price and those that don’t
• How to prepare your management team for transition
• Building and managing an advisory team

When considering a Management Buyout (MBO), how do you equip your management team to become a potential purchaser for the business? How is your leadership team positioned to perform? Have you effectively replaced yourself with the right skill sets and integrated your best people into the company’s operations, so they are prepared to become owners? Is the team aware of the risks and opportunities involved?

This session will cover:

• When should you begin your succession planning
• How to prepare your management team for transition and the shift in leadership roles
• How to ensure your management team has the right guidance and independent advice
• Strategies for partner buyouts
• Different types of financing and strategies to increase cash flow
• ESOP
• Implementing your post-closing transition plan

If intergenerational transition is right for your business how are you professionalizing a family owned and operated firm? How are you supporting this shift in leadership? How are you putting governance in place? Perhaps one of the most complicated change-over options emotionally, as it often involves tough conversations. Building capacity in the next generation needs to begin early on, and you may also need to consider outside, non-family executives.

In this session presenters will share their unique tools and perspectives so that you can successfully plan for your own family business transition.

Bring your burning transition questions to our group of experts. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of exit-strategy.

Tyler and Jeff have been through many business transitions over their careers, as buyers, sellers, owners and management.  Each transition presents its own challenges, particularly in managing human emotions, vendor’s remorse and balancing the needs of different ownership groups.  In this session, we will hear from two seasoned veterans in some of the strategies they have used in, and lessons learned from, past business transitions including the recent investment by TriWest in Lithion.

When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the purchase price in your pocket. Fortunately, with the right preparation and enough time to implement, there are a number of opportunities to limit or even eliminate tax.

This session will look at real-world examples:

• How to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization
• Help you consider all of your business options to reap the benefits and avoid pitfall
• Tactics to avoid major post-sale surprises
• Options for how to manage your what are no longer business expenses in your life post-transition

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 session, 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.

Long-term thinking about your business is an enormous endeavor, the process of a sale can throw that thinking into chaos. One of the most important elements that gets lost is what happens after the deal is signed. Having a post-closing plan to ensure that team, customers, vendors and operational systems are integrated into the new regime is essential so as not to disrupt the company’s performance and integrity.

Through an interactive discussion you’ll gain:

• Expert insights on operational change management
• Best practices for transitioning culture
• Strategies for communicating to customers and vendors about change in ownership
• Suggestions on how to plan for significant shifts in personal wealth

Join Lynne Fisher, Senior Manager, MNP as she sits down with an entrepreneur that has experienced the ups, downs and complexities of a business transition.

Hear from a panel of business owners and experts who have gone through transition with their businesses and now have the opportunity to reflect on the process in the rear view mirror. The panel will share insights on what they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and key learnings they have taken into their next endeavours. What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.

Bring your burning transition questions to our group of experts. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of exit-strategy.

“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.)

• 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.

• How to protect yourself from unexpected business risk prior to a transaction
• How to prepare your company (and you personally) for a successful sale.
• Learn what risks should be addressed, including subtleties of legal agreements, non-compete clauses, wills that misalign with shareholder’s agreements, powers of attorney and more
• There are several ways to structure the sale your company (including how and when you get paid). What are your options?
• Learn how to manage confidentiality and protect yourself against rogue competitors, suppliers, employees or customers.
• Tactics to avoid major post-sale surprises
• Shrewd buyer tactics that you need to know about

*The conference has been approved for the following continuing education credits:

• 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.
• FEA designates may earn 7 hours of CE for the entire conference.

Introduction by Kristi Miller, Founder and National Managing Director, First West Capital

The decisions you make today will ultimately impact your business in the future. What are the current economic conditions and market trends that business owners need to consider when thinking about your business? How might these trends impact your business? This session will provide insights into both a macro view of the economy, as well as provide insights on regional and industry sector differences. You will also get an understanding of the current M&A environment and factors which might impact it in the future.

Whether the sale of your business is on the horizon or many years away, most experts agree that it can take years to optimally structure a company to increase the probability of a successful sale. Who’s to know if and when there may come a knock on your door? What exactly should you be doing now in order to get your business ready? 

This session will provide you with an understanding of the extensiveness of the process and how much advanced planning is required so that you can build your own roadmap with exactly what you need for a successful transition.

• A step-by-step overview of the mechanics of selling and/or transitioning a business
• At what stage should you be considering hiring advisors or other transition experts 
• How to mitigate risk to maximize reward and successfully exit your business with confidence

What do buyers look for when assessing a potential acquisition? Growth prospects, financial health, management team and strategic fit are just a few of the considerations.

In this panel strategic buyers and private equity purchasers will discuss the metrics that matter most to them, lessons they have learned along the way and what to consider if you are just looking for liquidity options (ie, you just want to take some cash off the table).

Negotiating the sale of your business can vary significantly, not only between bidders but also with any particular potential buyer. The process selected and terms dictated by the seller in a transaction will impact the “price” paid. It is fundamental to understand how the selling process will impact what you receive for your company.

The panel will discuss and elaborate on best practices, industry myths and misconceptions, and alternatives for consideration in designing a process to structure your transaction for a fair price.  Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:

• Why companies should be sold, not bought
• How to decide on the breadth and nature of a sale process
• Why timing and deal tension matters, and how to create it
• Which terms have an impact on price, and which do not
• The roles an advisor can play through the sale process, and when and how to manage them

In order to attract a wide range of financial and/or strategic buyers, you must identify the areas of risk within your business well in advance. Potential buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots once an offer is on the table; this is your chance to learn about “deal breakers” that work within your business so that you and your advisors can prepare. Common challenges that will be discussed include:

• Working capital and tax structure issues
• Declining company or economic performance during the process
• Unsophisticated legal counsel
• Delays in obtaining third-party consents
• Tactics to avoid major post-sale surprises
• “Deal fatigue”

Family businesses are unique in that transitioning them to the next generation is a complex, often deeply emotional, endeavour. How do you prepare for a generational business that is resilient, while keeping the legacy you have built 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 presenters will share their unique tools and perspectives so that you can successfully plan for your own family business transition.

Bring your burning transition questions to our group of experts. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of transition-strategy.

In this Fireside Chat, you will hear the stories from a business owner who has gone through a transition of their business and now has the opportunity to reflect on the deal. How has the transition affected their personal and professional life?  What would they change if they were to do it all again? Would they negotiate differently, work with different strategic advisors or would they second guess their decision to exit?

A management buyout can be an excellent succession strategy and an opportunity for senior managers to become owners. When considering a Management Buyout (MBO), how do you equip your management team to become a credible bidder for the business?  How is your leadership team positioned to perform? Have you effectively replaced yourself with the right skill sets and integrated your best people into the company’s operations, so they are prepared to become owners? Is the team aware of the risks and opportunities involved? 

This session will cover:

• When should you begin your succession planning
• How to prepare your senior management team for transition and the shift in leadership roles
• How to ensure your management team is well-advised and independently advised.
• Strategies for partner buyouts
• Different types of financing and strategies to increase cash flow
• Implementing your post-closing transition plan

When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the purchase price in your pocket. Fortunately, with the right preparation and enough time to implement, there are a number of opportunities to limit or even eliminate tax.

This session will look at real-world examples:

• How to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization
• Help you consider all of your business options to reap the benefits and avoid pitfalls
• Tactics to avoid major post-sale surprises
• Options for how to manage what are no longer business expenses in your life post-transition

Putting an emphasis on systematically growing your business could be your trojan horse to attracting the right type of buyer for your business. Increasing revenues, market share or scaling operations will help make your business that much more attractive to potential acquirers.

This session will explore the necessary steps to maximizing business value before you engage the sales process including strategies, tactics, and metrics you can put to work right away that will have both immediate impact as well as set your company up for greater future success.

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.

Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through transition with their business and now have the opportunity to reflect on the process in the rear view mirror.  This panel will share insights on what they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and their key learnings for their next endeavours. What would they change, if anything, if they were to do it all again? These business owners will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches. 

Bring your burning transition questions to our group of experts. This is your opportunity to meet and obtain advice from Canada’s leading and most reputable experts on the subject of transition-strategy.

“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.)

• 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.

• How to protect yourself from unexpected business risk prior to a transaction
• How to prepare your company (and you personally) for a successful sale.
• Learn what risks should be addressed, including subtleties of legal agreements, non-compete clauses, wills that misalign with shareholder’s agreements, powers of attorney and more
• There are several ways to structure the sale your company (including how and when you get paid). What are your options?
• Learn how to manage confidentiality and protect yourself against rogue competitors, suppliers, employees or customers.
• Tactics to avoid major post-sale surprises
• Shrewd buyer tactics that you need to know about

The business decisions you make now during the COVID transition period will ultimately impact your business tomorrow and into the future.  This opening session will provide real insights into a macro view of the economy while better understanding economic impact from this pandemic, how organizations can prepare for the future and how to mitigate risk.  This session will also address the expected timeline for different sectors to recover.

Which critical steps should you take to achieve maximum value? With the global economy devastated by COVID-19 and related lockdowns, valuations are generally on a downward trajectory. However, not all businesses and industries are created equal. Widespread panic in markets can, more than ever, yield “gems” to the GP that “does their homework”. Modelling of the probable recovery of specific industries, lining up flexible lenders, detailed analysis of synergies, and forecasting possible “retooling” opportunities, amongst other things, can lead to returns that far outstrip what was possible in the previous bull market.

How has the role of an investment banker, lawyer and accountant changed post COVID? Will your advisory team help you streamline your business prior to selling and ultimately gain a bigger selling price at the finish line? This session will help you better understand the role each advisor plays and where they can make the difference as you look to transition.

A management buy-out can be an excellent succession strategy and likely a more common approach to succession post COVID. When considering a Management Buyout (MBO), how do you equip your management team to become a credible bidder for the business? How is your leadership positioned to perform going forward and engage in a potential MBO? When should you start looking at senior management team for potential transition?

 How will the new normal post COVID work environment permanently affect how you run your business? This discussion will look at key considerations for optimizing your leadership, team, and business environment both today and in the future.   

Private Equity, institutional and private money, is currently sitting on $1.2 trillion and looking to invest over the next 6 to 24 months.   What is investment looking for today when looking for businesses to acquire and how does this compare to private or institutional investment?

COVID-19 has not just changed the world but also the DNA of our workplace ecosystem in many ways. What are the key steps you need to take to effectively adjust, re-build, and grow your team and business? How open and transparent have you been with your team during the pandemic? This session will address numerous questions that entrepreneurs are asking themselves today and provide practical and proven approaches for how they can be effective leading their teams to renewed success.

In this Fireside Chat, you will hear the stories from a business owner that has gone through a transition of their business and now has the opportunity to reflect on the deal.  Nancy MacKay will join Darcy Kernaghan in discussion on how the sale affected their personal and professional life?  What would Darcy change if he were to do it all again?  Would he negotiate differently, work with different strategic advisors or have they second guessed the decision to sell?

While COVID-19 caused a dramatic slowdown to the deal making boom of the last several years as many businesses were forced to put transactions on hold and instead focus on shoring up operations, we expect to see a resurgence in M&A activity as dry-powder from financial sponsors searches for returns and strategic buyers look for opportunities to adapt, take market-share and take advantage of a new perspective on future prospects.  How do buyers get comfortable completing deals in a non- face-to-face environment?  How is due diligence being conducted?  How are deals being financed?  What technologies and solutions are being used to overcome logistical obstacles?  This panel discussion will consider these questions and more on how to get a deal done during COVID-19.

How has the pandemic affected family business and what strategies has your family initiated to manage the heightened emotional rollercoaster? Family businesses can be challenging to manage at the best of times. Some see these difficult times to make the necessary structural changes to allow the business to prosper for many years to come. This session will discuss many strategies that should be considered to effectively position your business post COVID.

Negotiating the sale of your business can vary significantly, not only between bidders but also with any particular potential buyer. The process selected and terms dictated by the seller in a transaction will impact the “price” paid. It is fundamental to understand how the selling process will impact what you receive for your company. The panel will discuss and elaborate on best practices, industry myths and misconceptions, and alternatives for consideration in designing a process to structure your transaction for a fair price.

Hear from a panel of business owners who have experienced COVID -19 but also previous business downturns including GFC and 9/11. The group will share real life experiences from the trenches and how they navigated through different market downturns. The panel will also share the personal side of how they managed themselves through COVID-19.