Event Schedule
- 7:00 A.M. Registration, Coffee & Networking
- 7:30 A.M. Breakfast Is Served Grand Ballroom
- 7:45 A.M. Kickoff & Introductions Grand Ballroom
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8:00 a.m. — 8:45 a.m. Entrepreneurs’ M&A Roundtable Grand Ballroom
Presented By: Fifth Third Bank
Three of Northeast Ohio’s most prominent business leaders share anecdotes from their experiences on the front lines of M&A transactions. They’ll discuss what it takes to effectively raise capital, buy and sell businesses, and create liquidity events — and offer insight and advice on the challenges and opportunities that accompany any deal.
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9:00 a.m. — 9:45 a.m. Acquisitions: Best practices and pitfalls Ambassador Room
Presented By: Kohrman, Krantz & Jackson LLP
So, you think you know what it takes to buy a business? Join a panel of finance-minded experts, investors, and entrepreneurs as they share their experiences buying businesses and structuring acquisition deals.
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9:00 a.m. — 9:45 a.m. Sold! Managing the process of selling your business Gold Room
Presented By: Western Reserve Partners and BDO
What are the business, operations, financial and other issues that arise when selling a company? And what does it mean for the entrepreneur after the sale? Two business leaders join expert advisers and pull back the curtain to discuss best practices and pitfalls for structuring, negotiating and closing middle-market M&A deals.
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10:00 a.m. — 10:45 a.m. Raising capital to fuel your organization’s
growth Ambassador Room
Presented By: U.S. Bank / Skoda Minotti
Successful entrepreneurs and advisers join an active private equity investor to explore the pros and cons of different ways to fund your company’s growth. From bank credit lines to working capital to private equity, you’ll learn from those who have done it and what you should consider before raising your first dollar.
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10:00 a.m. — 10:45 a.m. Ownership Success and Planning for the Liquidity Event Gold Room
Presented By: Baker Hostetler and BNY Mellon Wealth Management
When you’re preparing for a liquidity event, the real work is just beginning. Hear the real-life stories of some of Northeast Ohio’s M&A veterans as they discuss selling to strategic buyers and private equity, and the steps you should take before any transaction occurs.
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11:00 a.m. Morning Keynote Grand Ballroom
CLEVELAND MORNING KEYNOTE Frank Sullivan learned a lot from his dealmaking father, Tom, who built RPM from $11 million to $2 billion through dozens of acquisitions. Since taking over as CEO in 2002, Frank has done 100-plus deals, boosting sales to $5 billion. For our morning keynote Q&A, Frank sits down with Smart Business Publisher Dustin for a wide-ranging discussion about dealmaking and how he balances M&A with his leadership of RPM.
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Noon Networking Lunch and Afternoon Keynote Grand Ballroom
As Head of Industry, Retail for Google, Ted Souder works with some of the biggest names in retail, including major brick-and-mortar chains. For our afternoon keynote Q&A, Ted joins OvoFund partner Adam Kaufman for a no-holds-bared discussion about technology, dealmaking and the future of retail.
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- 1:00 p.m. Anatomy of a Deal Grand Ballroom
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2:00 p.m. — 2:45 p.m. Growth Through Acquisition: Ensuring Success Ambassador Room
Presented By: Tucker Ellis LLP and Imprise Financial
When you’re acquiring and integrating a new business, it’s imperative to do your homework before the negotiations start. Business leaders, experts and entrepreneurs share what’s worked for them and others, as well as how to ensure acquisitions strengthen the company and accelerate your business goals.
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2:00 p.m. — 2:45 p.m. A Deep Dive on the Sell Side Gold Room
Presented By: First National Bank and Oswald Companies
Effectively selling your business can be complicated, but highly rewarding. It takes discipline and a great team to keep the transaction on track, and trusted advisers to help you secure the best possible price. Entrepreneurs and experts share best practices learned from decades of dealmaking.
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3:00 p.m. — 3:45 p.m. Raising Capital — Case Studies and a View from the Front Lines Ambassador Room
Presented By: Chemical Bank
When you raise money for acquisitions, the options are broad. So, where do you go, what do you do and what’s the best capital approach for your organization? Hear stories and insight from entrepreneurs and experts who have been on the front lines.
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3:00 p.m. — 3:45 p.m. Pre-, During and Post-Liquidity: What You Need to Know Gold Room
Presented By: SunTrust and JumpStart
Liquidity events don’t just happen; they take advanced strategic planning. Hear from veteran serial entrepreneurs and financial experts as they analyze what you should before, during and after a liquidity event.
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- 3:30 P.M. Cocktail Reception & Awards Grand Ballroom
- 5:00 P.M. Adjourn