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Program Archives

Steve Chen

Steve Chen
VP & Head, First West Capital

Steve is passionate about creating long-term relationships with our clients and helping them to overcome barriers to growth. An entrepreneur... Read More

STS Capital Partners | Edm22 Cocktails & Conversations

STS Capital Partners | Edm22 Cocktails & Conversations

Mark Brodkin

Mark Brodkin
Managing Director & Head, Roynat Equity Partners

As Managing Director and Head of Roynat Equity Partners, Mark is responsible for leading all aspects of the investment process,... Read More

Mike McIsaac

Mike McIsaac
CEO & Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance

Mike is an entrepreneur at heart. He has built, acquired and sold his own private businesses and guided 100+ entrepreneurs... Read More

Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn
Managing Director, Roynat Equity Partners

Matt is engaged in a wide variety of investing activities including originating, evaluating, executing, negotiating, and managing investments and prospective... Read More

Cheryl Grant

Cheryl Grant
Director, Transactions, Grant Thornton Corporate Finance Inc.

Cheryl Grant, CFA is Director of Transactions at Grant Thornton, one of Canada’s largest mid-market focused M&A advisors. Cheryl provides... Read More

Pierre Cléroux

Pierre Cléroux
Vice President Research & Chief Economist, BDC

Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012. Pierre leads a team of experts... Read More

Alan Chettiar

Alan Chettiar
Partner, M&A Advisory, FirePower Capital

Alan Chettiar leads FirePower’s M&A  Advisory team and sets its strategic  direction. As a former principal at a  boutique investment... Read More

Ray Yue

Ray Yue
Founder/ CEO - [CARE] Group of Companies

Ray is a healthcare professional and serial entrepreneur passionate about health & wellness, technology and the creation of projects that... Read More

Tabreez Lila

Tabreez Lila
Managing Director, Growth and Transition Capital, BDC Capital

Tabreez Lila is Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital in our Edmonton office. Tabreez has worked in the investment and... Read More

Adam Mallon

Adam Mallon
Managing Director, Transaction Advisory Services, BDO Canada LLP

Located in Edmonton, Adam is a Managing Director with BDO Canada Transaction Advisory Services focusing on Mergers & Acquisitions. In... Read More

Josh Matthews

Josh Matthews
Managing Director, Corporate Finance, PWC Canada

Josh Matthews is a Managing Director with PwC Corporate Finance and leads its Alberta team. He is primarily focused on... Read More

David Laycraft

David Laycraft
Partner, Baker Tilly

David is a Partner with the Calgary office of Baker Tilly, a professional services firm that provides accounting and assurance,... Read More

Tyler Armstrong

Tyler Armstrong
President & CEO, Lithion Power Group

Tyler is the President & CEO of Lithion Power Group.  In the late 1990’s, Tyler started his involvement in the... Read More

Kevin Campbell

Kevin Campbell
Co-Founder & Former CEO, Policy Works Inc.

Kevin Campbell is co-founder and former CEO of Policy Works, Canada’s leading software provider for commercial insurance brokers. Policy Works... Read More

Jerry Koonar

Jerry Koonar
Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd.

Based in Calgary, Jerry joined Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel in June 2011 to expand the practice in Alberta. He is... Read More

Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith
CEO, 360 Energy Liability Management

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Guelph, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics. With... Read More

Don Montgomery

Don Montgomery
President, M&A Advisor, True North Mergers & Acquisitions

Don’s deep and passionate belief that he has the opportunity to positively impact and change people’s lives by providing a... Read More

Cody Church

Cody Church
CEO & President, Clear North Capital

As the CEO and President of Clear North Capital, Cody is extensively involved in creating value for lower mid-market Canadian... Read More

Jim Crooks

Jim Crooks
Managing Director & Partner, PwC

Jim Crooks is a Corporate Finance Partner and Managing Director at PwC Canada working in the Vancouver office. Jim has... Read More

Lynne Fisher

Lynne Fisher
National Team Leader, ExitSmart, MNP

Lynne Fisher, BA Econ., is the National Team Leader of MNP’s ExitSMART™ service. Located in the firm’s Edmonton office and... Read More

True North | VAN 21 Venture

True North | VAN 21 Venture

Leith Wheeler | CAL 21 Venture

Leith Wheeler | CAL 21 Venture

Dave Connolly

Dave Connolly
Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners

Axel Christiansen

Axel Christiansen
Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance

Welcome to the 6th annual Business Transitions Forum in Vancouver. We are excited to be back to in person events and thrilled to have an excellent conference program with over 40 entrepreneurs and experts sharing their insights and stories about companies that have previously sold. You will learn from experts and connect with peer groups who will offer valuable insights to help you with transition strategy – whether you’re just beginning to think about it or well-advanced down the path.

Kristin Delwo

Kristin Delwo
Stacks Founder and VP SaaS Product & Technology Innovation, EBSCO Canada Ltd.

Ms. Delwo is a local small business owner/operator turned startup entrepreneur who’s sold Alberta-made products in 37 countries and counting.... Read More

Jason Ding

Jason Ding
Chief Business Officer, Entos Pharmaceuticals

Jason is a Partner & Senior Managing Director in Deloitte’s Corporate Finance practice and leads the prJason is the Chief... Read More

Shane Dunn

Shane Dunn
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, EY Orenda Corporate Finance

Shane is a Partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice at EY and has over 20 years of experience in... Read More

Rhys Evans

Rhys Evans
Owner, Advanpro Ltd.

Kleo Landucci

Kleo Landucci
CEO & President of CrescentView Investments Ltd. & Former Managing Director of Ashcroft Terminal

Ms. Kleo Landucci is CEO & President of CrescentView Investments Ltd. a family owned investment company. In 2004, Ms. Landucci... Read More

Kelly R. Ford

Kelly R. Ford
Partner, Bennett Jones LLP

Kelly R. Ford advises on private equity transactions, public and private mergers and acquisitions and corporate and securities matters. Kelly... Read More

Iggy Domagalski

Iggy Domagalski
CEO, Tundra Process Solutions

Over the last 10 years Iggy has led the transformation of Tundra into an innovative $140-million industrial equipment integrator with... Read More

Quinten Griffiths

Quinten Griffiths
Partner, Good Capital

Previously led MuniSight as it’s company President, transforming it into one of Alberta’s fastest growing companies, and a leader in its category.... Read More

Chris Hooper

Chris Hooper
Chief Investment Officer, Alberta Indigenous Opportunity Corporation

Chris is responsible for leadership of the investment group within AIOC. The investment group’s function includes evaluating projects presented to... Read More

Shauna Feth

Shauna Feth
Executive Director, Alberta Business Family Institute, University of Alberta

As Executive Director of the Alberta Business Family Institute at the University of Alberta School of Business, Shauna is a... Read More

Mackenzie Regent

Mackenzie Regent
Partner | Transaction Diligence, Kalos LLP

Mackenzie is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Kalos LLP, a transactions and financial due diligence advisory firm headquartered in... Read More

Tina Di Vito

Tina Di Vito
Partner, Family Office Services, MNP

Tina Di Vito, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA, is a Partner and National Leader of Family Office Services, part of... Read More

Jalal Jetha

Jalal Jetha
Managing Partner, Grafton Ventures

Jalal has over 15 years of capital markets and corporate strategy experience in both public and private markets. He began... Read More

Kalos | Journal

Kalos | Journal

Kalos | Venture

Kalos | Venture

ATB Financial | Enterprise

ATB Financial | Enterprise

BDO | ATL 20 Venture

BDO | ATL 20 Venture

BDO | ATL 22 Workshop

BDO | ATL 22 Workshop

BDC | Session

BDC | Session

McMillan | EDM 22 Workshop

McMillan | EDM 22 Workshop

BakerTilly | Enterprise

BakerTilly | Enterprise

Omni | Venture

Omni | Venture

GRANT THORNTON | EDM 22 ENTERPRISE

GRANT THORNTON | EDM 22 ENTERPRISE

GRANT THORNTON | GLOSSARY OF TERMS

GRANT THORNTON | GLOSSARY OF TERMS

FIREPOWER | WORKSHOP

FIREPOWER | WORKSHOP

FIREPOWER | VENTURE

FIREPOWER | VENTURE

MNP | ENDEAVOUR

MNP | ENDEAVOUR

BDC | PRESENTING

BDC | PRESENTING

Roynat/Scotiabank | VAN 21 VENTURE

Roynat/Scotiabank | VAN 21 VENTURE

Roynat/Scotiabank | EDM 22 VENTURE

Roynat/Scotiabank | EDM 22 VENTURE

CFIB | Partner

CFIB | Partner

BDC | Lanyard

BDC | Lanyard

Bennett Jones |Plenary

Bennett Jones |Plenary

Trishi Karan

Trishi Karan
Senior Tax Manager, Grant Thornton LLP

Trishi has over 10 years of public practice and industry taxation experience. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Trishi spent time... Read More

Ilan Jacobson

Ilan Jacobson
Founding Partner & CEO, FirePower Capital

Ilan Jacobson is responsible for leading FirePower Capital in all its endeavours, setting its strategic direction and providing top-level guidance... Read More

FEC | Supporter

FEC | Supporter

Renaissance | Enterprise

Renaissance | Enterprise

CVCA | Partner

CVCA | Partner

Ryan Vestby

Ryan Vestby
CEO, CompuVision

Ryan Vestby is the CEO of CompuVision, one of Canada’s largest IT managed service providers. Ryan started with CompuVision as... Read More

Bryan Haynes

Bryan Haynes
Partner, Bennett Jones LLP

Bryan Haynes has nearly three decades of experience in commercial transactions and business law, with a focus on private mergers... Read More

Jeff Aplin

Jeff Aplin
President & CEO, David Aplin Group

Jeff Aplin is President & CEO of David Aplin Group, a position he has held since 2011. Jeff earned an... Read More

Scott Bodie

Scott Bodie
Partner, Tax, Bennett Jones LLP

Scott Bodie advises on tax issues relating to corporate reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, public market debt and equity transactions,... Read More

Donald Cranston

Donald Cranston
President, Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods

Donald Cranston has over 35 years experience as a businessman and co-owner of Nutter’s Bulk & Natural Foods Inc.  In... Read More

David C. Curtis

David C. Curtis
Chairman and CEO, Longview Aviation Capital

David’s aviation career started with commercial flight training in 1983 during which time he joined Viking. David holds various Pilot... Read More

Bill Darling

Bill Darling
Former President, Big Guns Energy Services

Bill Darling, a native Calgarian, has worked in the oil patch for 41 years.  He has started, grown and sold... Read More

Stefan Erasmus

Stefan Erasmus
President, Werklund Family Office

Mr. Erasmus is the president of the Werklund Family Office (WFO) and Werklund Ventures Ltd. (WVL). Prior to this role,... Read More

Ted Kouri

Ted Kouri
Founder & President, Incite

Ted Kouri is the Founder and President of Incite, an Edmonton-based boutique M&A advisory firm that supports clients with market... Read More

Grant Kook

Grant Kook
President, CEO and Chair, Westcap

Grant J. Kook is Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Westcap. Mr. Kook is the co-founder and President... Read More

Justin Ferrara

Justin Ferrara
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Justin Ferrara’s main practice is in securities law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. Mr. Ferrara has... Read More

Jackie Fimrite

Jackie Fimrite
Vice President, RBC Mid-Market Mergers and Acquisitions

Jackie has worked exclusively in Mid-Market M&A for the past 20 years. Prior to joining RBC in 2016, Jackie began... Read More

Sharon Gray

Sharon Gray
President, RDT Valuations Group Inc.

Sharon Gray CPA CA CBV FEA is the Founder of RDT Valuations Group Inc., a boutique consulting firm focusing on... Read More

Russell Love

Russell Love
CEO, Cask Global Canning Company

I’m an Engineer by background (don’t hold that against me) with the better part of a decade of international experience... Read More

Triwest | Journal

Triwest | Journal

Fasken | Venture

Fasken | Venture

GRANT THORNTON | WORKSHOP

GRANT THORNTON | WORKSHOP

CMC | Partner

CMC | Partner

Kristi Miller

Kristi Miller
Managing Partner, Serial Entrepreneur, NPC Ventures

Kristi has been providing mid-market businesses with relationship-focused, strategic financing for over twenty years. As National Managing Director, Kristi leads First West Capital across Canada and delivers tailored subordinated-debt, mezzanine and equity financing solutions for growth, acquisitions and transitions. Prior to First West Capital, Kristi spent ten years with Vancity Capital, another B.C.-based subordinated debt fund. She has also worked with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Small Enterprise Equity Fund of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Matthew Kellow

Matthew Kellow
Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Western Canada, BDC Capital

Matthew Kellow is the Vice President, Growth and Transition Capital at BDC Capital, and is based in the Calgary office. With more than 10 years’ experience as a senior debt, mezzanine and equity provider, Matthew has structured mezzanine investments, equity infusions and helped manage major transactions in fields such as construction, energy, manufacturing and technology.

FEX | EDM 19 Supporter

FEX | EDM 19 Supporter

CFIB | TOR 19 Partner

CFIB | TOR 19 Partner

ABFI | EDM 19 Partner

ABFI | EDM 19 Partner

Monarch | Edm 19 Session

Monarch | Edm 19 Session

MNP | WORKSHOP

MNP | WORKSHOP

Vern Malcolm

Vern Malcolm
Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital

Mr. Vern Malcolm, CFA is a Director of Growth & Transition for BDC Capital where he is responsible for equity... Read More

CMC | EDM 19 Partner

CMC | EDM 19 Partner

Renaissance | EDM 19 Enterprise

Renaissance | EDM 19 Enterprise

Paul Anderson

Paul Anderson
Principal Consultant, Anderson & Associates

Paul Anderson is a Calgary entrepreneur.  He founded a number of companies included SpeedTheory (bicycle and triathlon retail stores), Ironman... Read More

Jeff Belford

Jeff Belford
Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners

Jeff joined TriWest Capital Partners at the inception of Fund II in 2003 from Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company Inc.,... Read More

Allison Maher

Allison Maher
Co-founder, Family Wealth Coach Planning Services Inc.

Welcome to the 5th annual Business Transitions Forum in Calgary. We are excited to be back to in person events and thrilled to have an excellent conference program with over 40 entrepreneurs and experts sharing their insights and stories about companies that have previously sold. You will learn from experts and connect with peer groups who will offer valuable insights to help you with transition strategy – whether you’re just beginning to think about it or well-advanced down the path.

UBS | EDM 19 Cocktail

UBS | EDM 19 Cocktail

Triwest | EDM 19 Water

Triwest | EDM 19 Water

MNP | EDM 19 Endeavour

MNP | EDM 19 Endeavour

BDC | Edm 19 Lanyard

BDC | Edm 19 Lanyard

Cap West | Edm 19 Journal

Cap West | Edm 19 Journal

BDO | EDM 19 Journal

BDO | EDM 19  Journal

Grant Thornton | Edm 19 Glossary of Terms

Grant Thornton | Edm 19 Glossary of Terms

Jon Spencer

Jon Spencer
Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners

Welcome to the 1st annual Business Transitions Forum in Winnipeg. We are excited to be back to in person events and thrilled to be expanding the conference to Winnipeg! We are bringing together entrepreneurs and experts sharing their insights and stories about the process of selling, growing, and transitioning businesses. You will learn from experts and connect with peer groups who will offer valuable insights to help you with transition strategy – whether you’re just beginning to think about it or well-advanced down the path.

Bennett Jones | EDM 19 Plenary

Bennett Jones | EDM 19 Plenary

Jordan Martel

Jordan Martel
Partner, Corporate Valuations and Financial Opinions Leader, Sequeira Partners

Jordan has over 12 years of client advisory experience in corporate valuations, financial opinions, fair value for IFRS and US... Read More

Dave Mason

Dave Mason
Director, Senior Private Wealth Manager, UBS Bank (Canada)

Dave Mason has been in the investment industry for over 30 years.  His career began in 1988 as an investment... Read More

BDC | 2019 Presenting

BDC | 2019 Presenting

FirePower | EDM 19 Workshop

FirePower | EDM 19 Workshop

ColumnB | EDM 19 Venture

ColumnB | EDM 19 Venture

Sequeira | Edm 19 Badge

Sequeira | Edm 19 Badge

Fasken | EDM 19 Venture

Fasken | EDM 19 Venture

FIRSTWEST CAPITAL | REGISTRATION

FIRSTWEST CAPITAL | REGISTRATION

TEC | Partner

TEC | Partner

FirePower Capital | Edm 19 Venture

FirePower Capital | Edm 19 Venture

Grant Thornton | Edm 19 Venture

Grant Thornton | Edm 19 Venture

PwC | Edm 19 Venture

PwC | Edm 19 Venture

FirstWest | EDM 19 Venture

FirstWest | EDM 19 Venture

EY | EDM 19 Pen

EY | EDM 19 Pen

CVCA | Edm Supporting 18

CVCA | Edm Supporting 18

Craig McDougall

Craig McDougall
Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP

Craig’s practice covers a wide spectrum of indirect tax, income tax, resource tax, personal tax planning, and dispute resolution. In... Read More

Jonathan Piurko

Jonathan Piurko
President & CEO, Monarch Bridge Financial Inc.

Jonathan Piurko is the Co-Founder and CEO of Monarch Bridge Financial Corp.  Mr. Piurko is responsible for all executive functions... Read More

Tracey McVicar

Tracey McVicar
Managing Partner, CAI Capital Partners

Tracey McVicar is Partner at CAI Capital Partners, a mid-market private equity firm. She is a former investment banker (RBC... Read More

Greg McIlwain

Greg McIlwain
Business Law and M&A, McMillan LLP

Greg is a Business Law and M&A Partner at McMillan LLP. His practice focuses on complex transactions including international and... Read More

Alf Sailer

Alf Sailer
Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital

As team leader, Alf always has his focus on you. It’s your merger, your acquisition and your divestiture—it deserves his... Read More

Christopher Wolfenberg

Christopher Wolfenberg
Partner, Fasken

Chris Wolfenberg practises business law, focusing on public and private corporate and securities transactions in energy, mining and technology. He... Read More

Kelly Long

Kelly Long
Co-Founder, Noble Premium Bison

Wild Rose Holdings is the parent company of two operating entities: Uncommon Wine Rooms a company that specializes in the... Read More

Christoffer Mylde

Christoffer Mylde
SVP Corporate Development, Sproule

Christoffer Mylde is Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at Sproule, a leading global independent energy consulting firm. Chris has over... Read More

Jeff Nugent

Jeff Nugent
Chief Strategy & Global Business Development Officer, People 2.0

Andrew Ramsay

Andrew Ramsay
Sr. Vice President and Co-Head of Transaction Risk Solutions, Gallagher Energy Risk Services

Andrew Ramsay is a Senior Vice President and Co-Head of Transaction Risk Solutions at Gallagher, a global insurance and risk management consulting firm. Andrew has 12 years insurance experience with a focus on Private Equity, Asset Managers, Upstream/Midstream Oil and Gas, and Infrastructure. Andrew has worked extensively with both buyers and sellers to utilize Transaction Liability, including Representations and Warranties, Tax, and Environmental to help facilitate deals. Andrew also sits on the Board for Make-A-Wish.

Lorna Johnston

Lorna Johnston
Chair, CEO Group, TEC Canada

When Lorna Johnston leads, transformation follows. For her, business is never just about business – there is always a human... Read More

Katherine Prusinkiewicz

Katherine Prusinkiewicz
Partner, Senior Knowledge Lawyer, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Katherine Prusinkiewicz is the knowledge lawyer for the Calgary office, working to leverage the practice’s collective wisdom to ensure efficiency... Read More

George Coon

George Coon
Regional Director, Prairies, First West Capital

With 30 years’ experience in the financial industry, George provides mid-market businesses in Alberta and Saskatchewan with tailored subordinated debt,... Read More

Kim Moody

Kim Moody
Director, Canadian Tax Advisory, Moody’s Gartner Tax Law

Kim G C Moody FCA, TEP, Director, Canadian Tax Advisory is aChartered Accountant, Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner anda tax... Read More

Jeff Polovick

Jeff Polovick
Founder and Board Member, The Driving Force Inc.

Jeff Polovick is the Founder of TDF Group Inc., which operates DRIVING FORCE, one of Canada’s largest independent vehicle rentals,... Read More

BDC | Edm Presenting 18

BDC | Edm Presenting 18

Greg Abtosway

Greg Abtosway
Vice President, Corporate Development, Tundra Process Solutions Ltd.

Greg Abtosway is Vice President of Corporate Development at Tundra Process Solutions Ltd. Prior to joining Tundra, Greg was COO at... Read More

Harold Kunik

Harold Kunik
President, Mosaic Capital Corporation

Harold Kunik is the President, Director and co-founder of Calgary-based Mosaic Capital Corporation, a publicly traded private equity investment business.... Read More

James Robertson

James Robertson
Director, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital

James Robertson is Director, Growth & Transition Capital in our Edmonton office. James joined BDC in 2014, bringing with him 17 years... Read More

Larry Benke

Larry Benke
Former President & CEO, Colt Companies and Former MD, WorleyParsons Canada

Larry Benke is currently a Director for WorleyParsons Limited, The Calgary Airport Authority and CEDA International. Prior to his retirement in... Read More

Stuart Parnell

Stuart Parnell
Managing Director, Stormont Energy Advisors

Stuart has close to 25 years of financial advisory and investment experience, led the Calgary Corporate Finance group for an... Read More

ATB | Edm Endeavour 18

ATB | Edm Endeavour 18

MNP | Edm Endeavour 18

MNP | Edm Endeavour 18

Deloitte | Edm Venture 18

Deloitte | Edm Venture 18

Capital West | Edm Venture 18

Capital West | Edm Venture 18

Fasken | Edm Venture 18

Fasken | Edm Venture 18

Cindy Radu

Cindy Radu
Partner, Business Transition Services, BDO Canada LLP

As a designated Family Enterprise Advisor, Cindy helps individuals, family enterprises, business owners and family offices navigate the complexities and... Read More

EY | Edm Enterprise

EY | Edm Enterprise

Charles Bougie

Charles Bougie
Managing Partner, Kluane Partners

Charles co-founded Kluane Partners in 2014.  Prior to starting Kluane Partners, Mr. Bougie served as Senior Principal at Alberta Teachers... Read More

Gordon Cameron

Gordon Cameron
Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP

Gordon Cameron is a Partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Business Law Group in Calgary. His practice focuses on corporate finance and... Read More

Todd Coleman

Todd Coleman
Vice President, Business Advisory & Succession Planning, BMO Wealth Management

As Vice President, Business Advisory & Succession Planning, Todd Coleman advises high net worth private business owners in transition with... Read More

Kristi Cawthorn

Kristi Cawthorn
President, Startec Compression & Process

Don Chapman

Don Chapman
President & CEO, Kent Imaging, Inc.

Mr. Donald Chapman is President and CEO of Kent Imaging Inc., a privately held medical device company headquartered in Calgary,... Read More

Claude Cloutier

Claude Cloutier
President, Ambassador Mechanical

Claude started out in the HVAC business in his teenage years, working with his father at Furnaceman in the Sheet... Read More

Jean-Philippe Couture

Jean-Philippe Couture
Partner, PwC Law LLP

Jean-Philippe, LLM, LLB/LLL is a corporate and tax law partner with PwC Law LLP. He regularly provides corporate and tax... Read More

Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds
Managing Director, MNP Corporate Finance

Mike Reynolds, CFA, is a Managing Director of MNP Corporate Finance Inc., in MNP’s Calgary office where he advises on... Read More

Douglas Gray

Douglas Gray
President & Founder, Graycon I.T.

Douglas Gray is the Founder and President of Graycon I.T.  He is a recognized leader in the IT industry and... Read More

Brian Gronberg

Brian Gronberg
President, CanaDream

Brian Gronberg is the CEO of CanaDream, a Canadian company that was recently acquired for over $35 million. From the... Read More

Chad Robinson

Chad Robinson
Managing Director, SCF Partners

Prior to joining SCF, Chad was the Founder and Managing Director of Resource Merchant Capital, a boutique merchant bank focused... Read More

Wayne Henuset

Wayne Henuset
President, Willow Park Wines & Spirits Ltd.

David Hood

David Hood
President & CEO, geoLOGIC systems ltd

Jamie Avey

Jamie Avey
Partner, Financial Advisory Services, Deloitte

Jamie is a Partner in Deloitte’s M&A Advisory group who leads the M&A transaction services practice in Alberta. Jamie has... Read More

Cathie Saroka

Cathie Saroka
President & CEO, Goldray Glass

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the glazing industry, Cathie Saroka has extensive experience in products, operations... Read More

Andrea Lanyi

Andrea Lanyi
Director, Wealth & Tax Planning, BMO Wealth Management

Andrew Major

Andrew Major
Director & District Manager, Roynat

Andrew is the Director & District Manager for Roynat Capital in Southern Alberta and has more than 25 years’ experience... Read More

Renaissance | Edm Enterprise 18

Renaissance | Edm Enterprise 18

Sequiera | Edm Enterprise 17

Sequiera | Edm Enterprise 17

Aroon Sequeira

Aroon Sequeira
Chairman, Sequeira Partners

Aroon Sequeira is the founder and Chairman of Sequeira Partners, one of Western Canada’s leading M&A and Valuation Advisory firms... Read More

Kathy Melton

Kathy Melton
Real Estate Developer & Corporate Director, Cavell Holdings Inc.

Being part of a family business that spans four generations, Kathy offers a wealth of personal insights on the importance of transitional roles for each generation.  Her first-hand experience with evolving responsibilities... Read More

Scotia | Edm Venture 18

Scotia | Edm Venture 18

UBS | Edm 2018 Cocktails

UBS | Edm 2018 Cocktails

BDC | Edm Ind (Lanyard) 18

BDC | Edm Ind (Lanyard) 18

Felesky | Edm Ind Journal 18

Felesky | Edm Ind Journal 18

Chrysalis | Edm Ind Journal 18

Chrysalis | Edm Ind Journal 18

Sequeira | Edm Ind 18

Sequeira | Edm Ind 18

BDC | Edm Session 18

BDC | Edm Session 18

Bennett Jones | Edm Session 18

Bennett Jones | Edm Session 18

First West | Edm Session 18

First West | Edm Session 18

Grant Thornton | Edm Session 18

Grant Thornton | Edm Session 18

Renaissance | Edm Session 18

Renaissance | Edm Session 18

TriWest | Edm Breakout 18

TriWest | Edm Breakout 18

BIE | Supporting Edm 18

BIE | Supporting Edm 18

NACO | Edm Supporting 18

NACO | Edm Supporting 18

EO | Supporting Edm 17

EO | Supporting Edm 17

FEA | Edm Supporting 18

FEA | Edm Supporting 18

FEX | Edm Supporting 17

FEX | Edm Supporting 17

TEC | Edm Supporting 18

TEC | Edm Supporting 18

Mark Stephenson

Mark Stephenson
President & Co-Founder, Cube Business Media

Mark has been a leader in the conference and tradeshow business for over 25 years with a proven track record for success. As a... Read More

Rob Olsen

Rob Olsen
Partner and National Leader, Corporate Finance, Deloitte

Robert is the National Leader of Corporate Finance, the Global Co-Leader of Debt & Capital Advisory and is also on... Read More

Teresa Melton

Teresa Melton
Corporate Director and Business Manager, Cavell Holdings Inc.

Teresa Melton started out her career as a Registered Dietitian, working in Health Care for 10 years, before making the... Read More

Matt Barasch

Matt Barasch
Chief Canadian Equity and Structured Note Strategist, RBC Capital Markets

Matt is the Chief Canadian Equity and Structured Note Strategist for RBC Capital Markets. Prior to this, Matt ran the... Read More

Murray Toews

Murray Toews
CEO, Bonnetts Energy

Toews graduated from Beaverlodge Regional in 1985 before completing his Business Degree at Red Deer College (RDC) in 1990. Beyond... Read More

Talbot Babineau

Talbot Babineau
President & CEO, IBV Capital

Talbot is the President and CEO of IBV Capital. IBV Capital is a boutique investment management firm with a long... Read More

Chris Buckman

Chris Buckman
Vice President, EnerTech Capital

Chris is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a B.A. in Kinesiology and Marketing. Mr. Buckman was most... Read More

Justin Morin

Justin Morin
Co-Founder & CEO, Dynacorp Fabricators Inc.

Justin is the co-founder and CEO of Dynacorp Fabricators Inc. Justin started his career in the oil and gas industry... Read More

Terry Stephenson

Terry Stephenson
President & CEO, Vertex Resources Group

Terry Stephenson founded and became President and CEO of Vertex, a leading North American provider of environmental services, in 2005.... Read More

David Nielsen

David Nielsen
Tax Partner, Grant Thornton LLP

Coady Cormier

Coady Cormier
Vice President, Business Owner Specialist, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Wealth Management Services

As a Business Owner Specialist, High Net Worth Planning Services, Coady, together with the relevant primary RBC advisor, helps business owner... Read More

Troy Pearce

Troy Pearce
COO, Mosaic Capital Corporation

Troy has nearly 20 years of experience in the private equity business, spending much of that time as Vice President... Read More

Lori Ell

Lori Ell
TEC Chair, TEC Canada

Lori Ell is a CPA by training and has over 25 years of broad-based executive experience working with multi-billion dollar,... Read More

Rick Giammarino

Rick Giammarino
Founder, GRB Engineering Ltd.

As owner and founder of GRB Engineering, Rick grew GRB to over 80 professional staff, successfully executing capital projects in... Read More

Robert Hagerman

Robert Hagerman
Partner, Gowling WLG

Robert Hagerman is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Calgary office, practising in the areas of estates, trusts and tax law... Read More

Alexander Henderson

Alexander Henderson
Partner, Transaction Services, KPMG LLP

Alex leads the Transaction Services team in Calgary. Alex has specialized in transaction services-related work for over 15 years, assisting... Read More

Warren Rabey

Warren Rabey
President & CEO, Rayquest

Warren is RayQuest Holdings’ president and CEO. His involvement is to lead strategic planning and marketing efforts, as well as... Read More

Jeff Lawson

Jeff Lawson
Principal & Director, Corporate Finance, Peters & Co. Limited

Joined Peters & Co. Limited in January 2009. Jeff is a Principal & Director* in the Corporate Finance group, and... Read More

Jeff House

Jeff House
Director and Senior Investment Counsellor, Grayhawk Investment Strategies

Jeff is a Director and Senior Investment Counsellor with Grayhawk Investment Strategies, an outsourced Chief Investment Officer service. He has... Read More

Janie Tremblay

Janie Tremblay
Counsel, McMillan LLP

Janie splits her practice between Calgary and Vancouver, and leads McMillan LLP’s Financial Services Group in Calgary. Janie acts for... Read More

Michael (Mick) MacBean

Michael (Mick) MacBean
Senior Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners

Mick MacBean joined Calgary-based private equity firm TriWest Capital Partners in 2010 and is a Senior Managing Director of the... Read More

Greg Tooth

Greg Tooth
Director, Equicapita

Greg has over 15 years of experience in commodity trading and private equity. As a director, was responsible for corporate... Read More

Brent McLean

Brent McLean
Founder, McLean & Partners

Brent McLean, founder of McLean & Partners, created a vision to build Canada’s most respected wealth management company. This vision... Read More

Devin Wagner

Devin Wagner
Managing Director, Western Region Transactions Leader, Grant Thornton LLP

Devin leads the Transactions practice for Grant Thornton in Alberta and is also the Western Region Transactions Leader for the... Read More

Chad Niehaus

Chad Niehaus
Vice President & COO, Onstream Pipeline Inspection

Chad Niehaus is a born and raised Calgarian. Having attended Mount Royal and SAIT he has worked in the oil... Read More

University of Alberta | Edm Supporting 18

University of Alberta | Edm Supporting 18

Karma & Cents | EDM 19 Supporting

Karma & Cents | EDM 19 Supporting

William Smith

William Smith
Principal, Torve Ventures and SmithLawCorp

Alex Webb

Alex Webb
CEO, F12.net Inc.

Alex Webb is the CEO of F12.net, a Canadian business technology provider he founded in Edmonton in 1996. Through product innovation and numerous acquisitions, Alex pushed F12 to become the predominant provider of unique offerings such as managed hardware-as-a-service, geo-redundant Canadian private cloud, and subscription-based IT. 

Dr. Basil Peters

Dr. Basil Peters
CEO, Strategic Exits Corp

While still in grad school, Basil co-founded Nexus Engineering. Nexus grew to seven companies with over 300 employees with operations... Read More

Dave Sinclair

Dave Sinclair
President, Business Transitions Plus

Dave has been fortunate to live an entrepreneur’s dream. He has worked in a multinational corporation as a Partner &... Read More

Tony Smith

Tony Smith
Partner, MNP LLP

Tony Smith, CA, is a Partner in MNP’s Calgary office. A member of the firm’s Assurance Services team, Tony also... Read More

Craig Story

Craig Story
Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP

Craig Story is a partner in Stikeman Elliott’s Calgary office and is a member of the firm’s Partnership Board. Mr.... Read More

Kevin Tran

Kevin Tran
Director, Tax Advisory Services, Scotia Wealth Management

As the head of Tax Advisory Services at Scotiabank, Kevin Tran oversees Tax Advisory Services on a national basis, serving... Read More

John Warrillow

John Warrillow
Founder, The Value Builder System™

John Warrillow has been helping companies understand and market to the SME segment for more than two decades. He has... Read More

Anthony Strawson

Anthony Strawson
Co-Managing Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP

Anthony Strawson is ranked one of the best tax lawyers in Canada by bestlawyers.com and is a partner of Felesky... Read More

Trevor Thomson

Trevor Thomson
Partner, Taxation Services, BDO Canada LLP

Trevor is a partner in BDO’s west region, with over 22 years of professional experience providing taxation and business advisory... Read More

Mark Vodden

Mark Vodden
Vice President, KPMG Corporate Finance Inc.

Mark is a Vice President with KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. in Calgary, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and financing transactions.... Read More

This is the Program Archive for the Calgary Business Transitions Forum.

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Conference - November 15
5:30PM - 7:00PM
 
Business Owners Only – VIP Welcome Reception

Invite Only

Conference - November 16
7:15AM - 8:00AM
 
Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:00AM - ­8:05AM
 
Forum Overview by Conference Chairman
Chairman: Cody Church, CEO & President, Clear North Capital
8:05AM - ­8:35AM
 
The Big Picture: The Economic Outlook in Alberta for Today & Tomorrow

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?

Speaker: Matt Barasch, Chief Canadian Equity and Structured Note Strategist, RBC Capital Markets
8:35AM - 9:05AM
 
Your Roadmap to a Successful Transition

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, especially in today’s tougher market.  Whether you’re approaching retirement or still in the game, currently thinking about selling or not, who’s to know if and when a knock may come at your door?  What exactly should you be doing now in order to get your business ready?

This presentation will provide a high-level overview of the process of selling a business and the things that can help enhance value so that you can start preparing, mitigate risk, improve upside and ultimately secure the reward you deserve when the time is right.

Speaker: Rob Olsen, Partner and National Leader, Corporate Finance, Deloitte
9:05AM - 9:50AM
 
The Secret Sauce: How To Maximize the Value of Your Business

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.

Speaker: John Warrillow, Founder, The Value Builder System™
9:50AM - 10:15AM
 
Networking and Coffee Break
10:15AM - ­11:10AM
 
Understanding Your Liquidity Options

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
Moderator: Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Panel:
Greg Abtosway, Vice President, Corporate Development, Tundra Process Solutions Ltd.
Matthew Kellow, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Western Canada, BDC Capital
Michael (Mick) MacBean, Senior Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners
Stuart Parnell, Managing Director, Stormont Energy Advisors
Alf Sailer, Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital
Devin Wagner, Managing Director, Western Region Transactions Leader, Grant Thornton LLP
11:15AM - 12:05PM
 
Session A1: Family Business and Family Trusts: Understanding the Benefits and Opportunity

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.

cafe-ifea

This session runs at the same time as Session A2.

Speaker: Cindy Radu, Partner, Business Transition Services, BDO Canada LLP
11:15AM - 12:05PM
 
Session A2: The Due Diligence Process & Why Sellers Should Care

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.

Moderator: Christopher Wolfenberg, Partner, Fasken
Panel:
Jamie Avey, Partner, Financial Advisory Services, Deloitte
Chris Buckman, Vice President, EnerTech Capital
Rick Giammarino, Founder, GRB Engineering Ltd.
Alexander Henderson, Partner, Transaction Services, KPMG LLP
Aroon Sequeira, Chairman, Sequeira Partners
1:10PM – 1:35PM
 
Luncheon Keynote

codychurch   JeffPolovick

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.

Chairman: Cody Church, CEO & President, Clear North Capital
Speaker: Jeff Polovick, Founder and Board Member, The Driving Force Inc.
12:05PM - ­1:05PM
 
Networking Lunch

bdc-horizontal

1:40PM - 2:30PM
 
Session B1: Can You Afford To Sell? Effectively Structuring your Company for Transition

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.

Moderator: Josh Matthews, Managing Director, Corporate Finance, PWC Canada
Panel:
Robert Hagerman, Partner, Gowling WLG
Kim Moody, Director, Canadian Tax Advisory, Moody’s Gartner Tax Law
Kevin Tran, Director, Tax Advisory Services, Scotia Wealth Management
1:40PM - 2:30PM
 
Session B2: From Entrepreneur to Wealth Manager

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.

Moderator: Lori Ell, TEC Chair, TEC Canada
Panel:
Todd Coleman, Vice President, Business Advisory & Succession Planning, BMO Wealth Management
Talbot Babineau, President & CEO, IBV Capital
Coady Cormier, Vice President, Business Owner Specialist, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Wealth Management Services
Jeff House, Director and Senior Investment Counsellor, Grayhawk Investment Strategies
Dave Mason, Director, Senior Private Wealth Manager, UBS Bank (Canada)
2:35PM - ­3:10PM
 
Strategies & Tactics to Maximize Your Selling Price & Terms

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
Speaker: Dr. Basil Peters, CEO, Strategic Exits Corp
3:15PM - ­4:00PM
 
How to Build the Best Exit Team (& What It Will Cost)

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.

Moderator: Jeff Lawson, Principal & Director, Corporate Finance, Peters & Co. Limited
Panel:
Allison Maher, Co-founder, Family Wealth Coach Planning Services Inc.
Dave Sinclair, President, Business Transitions Plus
Tony Smith, Partner, MNP LLP
Craig Story, Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP
4:00PM - ­4:45PM
 
Reflections – a Closing Discussion
Hear from a panel of business owners who have sold their businesses for millions and now have the opportunity to reflect on the deal 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.
Moderator: Cody Church, CEO & President, Clear North Capital
Panel:
Paul Anderson, Principal Consultant, Anderson & Associates
Brent McLean, Founder, McLean & Partners
Chad Niehaus, Vice President & COO, Onstream Pipeline Inspection
Warren Rabey, President & CEO, Rayquest
4:45PM
 
Closing Comments, followed by Wine & Cheese Networking Reception

sponsor-ubs

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
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NOVEMBER 7 – WELCOME RECEPTION
5:30PM-7:00PM
 
VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS – BY INVITATION
NOVEMBER 8 – 2017 CALGARY PROGRAM
7:15am-8:00am
 
Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:10am
 
FORUM OVERVIEW BY CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN
Chairman: Harold Kunik, President, Mosaic Capital Corporation
8:10am-8:45am
 
Alberta’s M&A Activity and The Big Picture

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.

Speaker: Pierre Cléroux, Vice President Research & Chief Economist, BDC
8:45am-9:10am
 
Your Roadmap to 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.

Speaker: Jim Crooks, Managing Director & Partner, PwC
9:10am-9:40am
 
How to Maximize the Value of Your Business

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. 

Speaker: Aroon Sequeira, Chairman, Sequeira Partners
9:40am-10:10am
 
Networking and Coffee Break
10:15am-11:15am
 
Who Are Your Buyers? Understanding your Liquidity Options

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
Moderator: Christopher Wolfenberg, Partner, Fasken
Panel:
Don Chapman, President & CEO, Kent Imaging, Inc.
Brian Gronberg, President, CanaDream
Jonathan Piurko, President & CEO, Monarch Bridge Financial Inc.
Alf Sailer, Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital
11:20am-12:15pm
 
A1: Selling Your Business To a Third Party, For The Best Price and Terms

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
Moderator: Josh Matthews, Managing Director, Corporate Finance, PWC Canada
Panel:
Jeff Belford, Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners
Charles Bougie, Managing Partner, Kluane Partners
Gordon Cameron, Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP
Andrew Major, Director & District Manager, Roynat
11:20am-12:15pm
 
A2: Selling to Insiders – A Management Buyout Deep Dive

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
Moderator: Matthew Kellow, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Western Canada, BDC Capital
Panel:
Paul Anderson, Principal Consultant, Anderson & Associates
Justin Morin, Co-Founder & CEO, Dynacorp Fabricators Inc.
William Smith, Principal, Torve Ventures and SmithLawCorp
Devin Wagner, Managing Director, Western Region Transactions Leader, Grant Thornton LLP
11:20am-12:15pm
 
A3: Family Business: Is an intergenerational transition right for your business?

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.

Moderator: Shauna Feth, Executive Director, Alberta Business Family Institute, University of Alberta
Panel:
Kathy Melton, Real Estate Developer & Corporate Director, Cavell Holdings Inc.
Teresa Melton, Corporate Director and Business Manager, Cavell Holdings Inc.
12:15pm-1:15pm
 
Networking Lunch
1:15pm–1:45pm
 
Luncheon Keynote

 

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

1:50pm-2:40pm
 
B1: Taxation: Effectively Structuring your Company for Transition

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.

Moderator: Tina Di Vito, Partner, Family Office Services, MNP
Panel:
Jean-Philippe Couture, Partner, PwC Law LLP
Andrea Lanyi, Director, Wealth & Tax Planning, BMO Wealth Management
David Nielsen, Tax Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
Anthony Strawson, Co-Managing Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP
1:50pm-2:40pm
 
B2: People, Culture and the Bottom Line. How corporate culture will impact transition and financial success

Leaders say, ‘people are our most important asset’ but lack a cohesive understanding of human behavior.  You can’t influence what you don’t understand; so to truly leverage the human side of business, it behooves you to develop some expertise. This session will offer a simple concept to address a complex topic – people, culture and the bottom line.

Business owners and advisors will have an advantage if they have knowledge of human behavior and the skills to put that knowledge to work. You’ll learn in this session something that will be useful for the rest of your life – and certainly, it will impact the successful transition of your business.

Speaker: Lorna Johnston, Chair, CEO Group, TEC Canada
1:50pm-2:40pm
 
B3: Understanding the Benefits and Costs of an Advisory Team

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. 

Moderator: Dave Mason, Director, Senior Private Wealth Manager, UBS Bank (Canada)
Panel:
Larry Benke, Former President & CEO, Colt Companies and Former MD, WorleyParsons Canada
Axel Christiansen, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
Adam Mallon, Managing Director, Transaction Advisory Services, BDO Canada LLP
Troy Pearce, COO, Mosaic Capital Corporation
2:40pm-3:00pm
 
Afternoon Refreshments
3:50pm-4:40pm
 
Reflections – A Closing Discussion

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.

Moderator: Harold Kunik, President, Mosaic Capital Corporation
Panel:
Kristi Cawthorn, President, Startec Compression & Process
Douglas Gray, President & Founder, Graycon I.T.
Wayne Henuset, President, Willow Park Wines & Spirits Ltd.
David Hood, President & CEO, geoLOGIC systems ltd
3:00pm - 3:50pm
 
Top Deal Breakers & How To Avoid Them

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.
Moderator: Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Panel:
George Coon, Regional Director, Prairies, First West Capital
Iggy Domagalski, CEO, Tundra Process Solutions
Kelly Long, Co-Founder, Noble Premium Bison
Stuart Parnell, Managing Director, Stormont Energy Advisors
4:40pm
 
Cocktails & Conversation Networking Reception

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 9, 2018 | VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
5:30PM - 7:00PM
 
VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS – BY INVITATION
OCTOBER 10, 2018 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM
 

*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.

7:15AM-8:00AM
 
Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:00AM-8:10AM
 
Forum Overview by Conference Chair

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

Chair: Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
8:10AM - 8:40AM
 
The 30,000-foot Perspective: How Will the Economy Impact Your Business Today & in the Future?

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.

Speaker: Pierre Cléroux, Vice President Research & Chief Economist, BDC
8:40AM - 9:15AM
 
The Long Game: Grow before You Let Go

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.

Speaker: Eric Termuende, Co-Founder, NoW Innovations
9:15AM - 10:15AM
 
The Buying Journey: A Purchaser’s Perspective

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).

Moderator: Josh Matthews, Managing Director, Corporate Finance, PWC Canada
Panel:
Cody Church, CEO & President, Clear North Capital
Kristi Miller, Managing Partner, Serial Entrepreneur, NPC Ventures
Don Montgomery, President, M&A Advisor, True North Mergers & Acquisitions
Devin Wagner, Managing Director, Western Region Transactions Leader, Grant Thornton LLP
10:15AM - 10:45AM
 
Networking & Coffee Break
10:45AM - 11:45AM
 
Concurrent Sessions: A1 – A3
 
A1: Strategic Partners & Private Equity Purchasers

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
Moderator: Adam Mallon, Managing Director, Transaction Advisory Services, BDO Canada LLP
Panel:
Paris Aden, Founding Partner, Valitas Capital Partners
Warren Rabey, President & CEO, Rayquest
Alf Sailer, Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital
 
A2: Management Buyouts & the Leadership 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
Moderator: Vern Malcolm, Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital
Panel:
David Hilsenteger, VP, Finance and Administration, Accurate Screen & Grating Ltd.
Calle Johnson, Partner, Deals, Corporate Finanace, PwC Canada
Sean MacLachlan, Partner, Carscallen LLP
Cathie Saroka, President & CEO, Goldray Glass
 
A3: Professionalizing Your Family Business

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.

Moderator: Cindy Radu, Partner, Business Transition Services, BDO Canada LLP
Panel:
Lori Bacon, President, Swimco
Brett Bacon, Operations & Culture Curator, Swimco
Sheila Witwicky, Partner, National Growth Partners
11:45AM - 1:15PM
 
Networking Lunch
11:45AM - 1:15PM
 
Meet the Experts (MTE)

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.

                                                         

1:15PM - 1:45PM
 
Luncheon Keynote Fireside Chat: The Human Element

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.

Moderator: Sandip Lalli, President & CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Panel:
Tyler Armstrong, President & CEO, Lithion Power Group
Jeff Belford, Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners
1:50PM - 2:40PM
 
Concurrent Sessions: B1 – B3
 
B1: Can you Afford to Sell? Effectively Structuring Your Company for Transition

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
Speaker: Andrew Bateman, Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP
 
B2: How to Build the Best Exit Team (& What it Will Cost)

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.

Moderator: Axel Christiansen, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
Panel:
Ben Gibbons, Partner, Capital Markets & M&A Advisory, RSM Canada
Craig Hoskins, Senior Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Jordan Martel, Partner, Corporate Valuations and Financial Opinions Leader, Sequeira Partners
Tracey Zehl, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton LLP
 
B3: The 100-Day Post-Closing Plan

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
Moderator: Dave Mason, Director, Senior Private Wealth Manager, UBS Bank (Canada)
Panel:
Victoria Bradbury, Controller, Mancal Corp
Bruce MacKenzie, Owner, Chapman & Associates
Philip Setter, Managing Partner, Business Critical
2:40PM - 2:55PM
 
Networking & Coffee Break
2:55PM - 3:30PM
 
Fireside Chat: Overcoming Business Transitions Challenges

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.

Speaker: Lynne Fisher, National Team Leader, ExitSmart, MNP
3:30PM – 4:15PM
 
Exit Stories: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

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.

Moderator: Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Panel:
Steve MacInnis, Senior Principal Consultant, Envista Forensics
Kelly Long, Co-Founder, Noble Premium Bison
Mike Miller, Chairman, Tundra Process Solutions
Cathy Whitehead, Co-Founder (Former), Rent Me
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
 
Cocktails & Conversation Networking Reception
4:15PM-5:30PM
 
Meet the Experts (MTE)

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.

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 11, 2018 | WORKSHOP
 

“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.)

 

 

      

7:30AM - 8:00AM
 
Continental Breakfast
8:00AM-9:45AM
 
PART I – ENHANCING THE VALUE OF 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.
Workshop Leaders:
Vincent Kong, Director, AltaCorp Capital
Alf Sailer, Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital
9:45AM - 10:15AM
 
REFRESHMENT BREAK – NETWORK WITH OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS
10:15AM - NOON
 
PART II – MANAGING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
  • 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
Workshop Leaders:
Craig Hoskins, Senior Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Elizabeth Williams, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 29, 2019 | VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
 
VIP WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS – BY INVITATION
OCTOBER 30, 2019 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM
 

*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.
7:15 AM – 8:00 AM
 
Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
 
Forum Overview by Conference Chair

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

Chair: Matthew Kellow, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Western Canada, BDC Capital
8:10 AM – 8:40 AM
 
The 30,000-foot Perspective: How Will the Economy Impact Your Business Today & in the Future?

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.

Speaker:
Pierre Cléroux, Vice President Research & Chief Economist, BDC
8:40 AM – 9:15 AM
 
The Roadmap to Transition: How to Build a Saleable Business

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
Speaker:
Cody Church, CEO & President, Clear North Capital
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
 
Here’s One for the Books: Lessons from Seasoned Buyers

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).

Moderator: Ilan Jacobson, Founding Partner & CEO, FirePower Capital
Panel:
Kristi Miller, Managing Partner, Serial Entrepreneur, NPC Ventures
Chad Robinson, Managing Director, SCF Partners
Jon Spencer, Managing Director, TriWest Capital Partners
Devin Wagner, Managing Director, Western Region Transactions Leader, Grant Thornton LLP
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
 
Networking & Coffee Break
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
 
Concurrent Sessions: A1 – A3
 
A1: Strategies to Maximize Price & Negotiate Deal Terms

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
Moderator: Dave Mason, Director, Senior Private Wealth Manager, UBS Bank (Canada)
Panel:
Alan Chettiar, Partner, M&A Advisory, FirePower Capital
Sharon Gray, President, RDT Valuations Group Inc.
Don Montgomery, President, M&A Advisor, True North Mergers & Acquisitions
Terry Stephenson, President & CEO, Vertex Resources Group
Anthony Strawson, Co-Managing Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP
 
A2: Common Deal Challenges: How to Address & Avoid 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”
Moderator: Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Panel:
David C. Curtis, Chairman and CEO, Longview Aviation Capital
Christoffer Mylde, SVP Corporate Development, Sproule
Mark Vodden, Vice President, KPMG Corporate Finance Inc.
 
A3: Building a Generational Business

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.

Moderator: Allison Maher, Co-founder, Family Wealth Coach Planning Services Inc.
Panel:
Stefan Erasmus, President, Werklund Family Office
Shauna Feth, Executive Director, Alberta Business Family Institute, University of Alberta
Lynne Fisher, National Team Leader, ExitSmart, MNP
11:45 AM – 12:50 PM
 
Networking Lunch
11:45 AM – 12:50 PM
 
Meet the Experts (MTE)

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.

12:55 PM – 1:25 PM
 
Luncheon Keynote: Fireside Chat – Life After the Close

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?

Host: Mike Reynolds, Managing Director, MNP Corporate Finance
In discussion with:
Donald Cranston, President, Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
 
Concurrent Sessions: B1 – B3
 
B1: Executing An Effective Management Buyout

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
Moderator: Janie Tremblay, Counsel, McMillan LLP
Panel:
Jeff Aplin, President & CEO, David Aplin Group
Jackie Fimrite, Vice President, RBC Mid-Market Mergers and Acquisitions
Vern Malcolm, Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital
 
B2: Can You Afford to Sell? Effectively Structuring Your Company for Transition

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
Speaker:
Scott Bodie, Partner, Tax, Bennett Jones LLP
Trevor Thomson, Partner, Taxation Services, BDO Canada LLP
 
B3: Scaling Your Business in Preparation for 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.

Moderator: Mike McIsaac, CEO & Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
Panel:
Mark Brodkin, Managing Director & Head, Roynat Equity Partners
Cheryl Grant, Director, Transactions, Grant Thornton Corporate Finance Inc.
Greg McIlwain, Business Law and M&A, McMillan LLP
Greg Tooth, Director, Equicapita
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
 
Coffee Break
2:45 PM – 3:20 PM
 
The Valuation Levers – What’s your company really worth?

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.

Speaker:
Josh Matthews, Managing Director, Corporate Finance, PWC Canada
3:25 PM – 4:15 PM
 
Exit Stories: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

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. 

Moderator: Matthew Kellow, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Western Canada, BDC Capital
Panel:
Bill Darling, Former President, Big Guns Energy Services
Jeff Nugent, Chief Strategy & Global Business Development Officer, People 2.0
Cathie Saroka, President & CEO, Goldray Glass
Aroon Sequeira, Chairman, Sequeira Partners
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
 
Cocktails & Conversation Networking Reception
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
 
Meet the Experts (MTE)

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.

Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 31, 2019 | BUSINESS OWNERS WORKSHOP (ADD-ON OPTIONAL)
 

“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.)

7:30AM - 8:00AM
 
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:00AM - 9:45AM
 
PART I – ENHANCING THE VALUE OF 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.
Workshop Leaders:
Alan Chettiar, Partner, M&A Advisory, FirePower Capital
Ilan Jacobson, Founding Partner & CEO, FirePower Capital
9:45AM - 10:15AM
 
REFRESHMENT BREAK – NETWORK WITH OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS
10:15AM - NOON
 
PART II – MANAGING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
  • 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
Workshop Leaders:
Justin Ferrara, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Katherine Prusinkiewicz, Partner, Senior Knowledge Lawyer, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 21, 2020 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM
8:30AM - 8:35AM
 
Welcome Remarks from Conference Chair
Chair: Axel Christiansen, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
8:35AM - 9:10AM
 
Opening Keynote: Paving the Road to Recovery? How to Restart Your Business in the Wake of COVID-19

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.

Speaker:
Pierre Cléroux, Vice President Research & Chief Economist, BDC
9:20 AM - 9:45 AM
 
From Survival to Growth – Your Roadmap to Transition
Speaker:
Tracey McVicar, Managing Partner, CAI Capital Partners
9:55 AM - 10:40 AM
 
Valuations of Yesterday and Tomorrow – How Will 2020 Value Drivers Be Different in the Post COVID World

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.

Speaker:
Steve Chen, VP & Head, First West Capital
Aleem Bandali, Managing Director, MNP
Simone Brunton, Principal, Transactions, Grant Thornton LLP
Don Montgomery, President, M&A Advisor, True North Mergers & Acquisitions
10:50 AM - 11:25 AM
 
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
 
The Advisory Team – Why Lawyers, Accountants, and Succession Planners are Now More Important Than Ever. How Has the Role of an Investment Banker Changed Post COVID?

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.

Speaker:
Kristi Miller, Managing Partner, Serial Entrepreneur, NPC Ventures
Lynne Fisher, National Team Leader, ExitSmart, MNP
Rick Gendemann, Partner, Manning Elliott LLP
 
Are MBO’s/MBI’s more attractive going forward? Why?

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?

Speaker:
David Wan, Director, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital
Glenn Jacques, Dealer Principal & VP of Sales, Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Alf Sailer, Managing Director, Investment Banking, AltaCorp Capital
Derek Strong, Regional Director, Roynat Capital
 
What Does Your Business Look Like Going Forward?

 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.   

Speaker:
Carolyn de Voest,
Candace Giesbrecht, Strategic HR Consultant, Better Your Best, Business Performance Specialists
11:35 AM - 12:20 PM
 
Who are the Buyers & Investors in the Post COVID Era?

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?

Speaker:
Peter J. Mogan, Founder and Senior Partner, Mogan Daniels Slager LLP
Gerry Bellerive, Managing Director, Regimen Partners
Charles Chang, President & Founder, Lyra Growth Partners Inc.
Andrew Kemper, Partner, Capital West Partners
George Rossolatos, CEO, Canadian Business Growth Fund (CBGF)
12:20PM - 1:00PM
 
Meet & Greet
Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
OCTOBER 22, 2020 | CONFERENCE PROGRAM
8:30AM - 8:35AM
 
Welcome Remarks from Conference Chair
Chair: Axel Christiansen, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
8:35AM - 9:10AM
 
Morning Keynote: Leadership in the Post COVID Era

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.

Speaker:
Matthew Gould, Co-Founder & President, MORECO Ltd.
9:20 AM - 9:55 AM
 
Fireside Chat – Life After the Close

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?

Speaker:
Darcy Kernaghan, Founder, Securiguard Services Ltd.
Nancy MacKay, CEO, MacKay CEO Forums
10:05 AM - 10:40 AM
 
How to Get a Deal Done During COVID-19?

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.

Speaker:
Bryan Haynes, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Duncan Adams, Vice President ,TriWest Capital
Julie Afanasiff, Partner, Sequeira Partners Inc.
10:50 AM - 11:25 AM
 
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
 
Family Business Post COVID

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.

Speaker:
Allison Maher, Co-founder, Family Wealth Coach Planning Services Inc.
Dean Koeller, President, Calvert Home Mortgage Investment Corporation
Naim Ali, Chief Executive Officer, SM2 Capital
 
Negotiation Skills Post COVID – How to Maximize Price (and Terms)

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.

Speaker:
Mackenzie Regent, Partner | Transaction Diligence, Kalos LLP
Dave Sparrow, President, Trailwise Capital
Alina Martin, Co-Founder & CEO, The Harvest Hub
David Allardice, Managing Principal, Miller Titerle + Company
11:40AM - 12:20PM
 
Survival Stories – And Why They Worked!

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.

Speaker:
Axel Christiansen, Managing Director, Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance
Kristin Delwo, Founder and CEO, Stacks
Andy Fraser, President and CEO, NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul
Jason Zanatta, President & CEO, Novo Textiles Co.
12:20PM - 1:00PM
 
Networking Reception
Program, Schedule, and Speakers Subject to Change Without Notice
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