2022 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

There will NOT be a virtual or recorded option for the conference this year. It will be held in-person at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (C.O.D.E.), Irving Theatre;
Use entrance located at: 225 West Water Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Introduction to ETA and Search
This session is designed to be an introduction to ETA for any conference attendees that are not familiar with the overall concept or want to learn more about ETA before the Saturday sessions. This session will cover: What is ETA? History and evolution of ETA models. ETA performance as an asset class and appeal as a career path.

Moderator: Alex Mears - The Brydon Group

Panelists:
Kevin Isaacs - Tribunus Health
Edward Silva – másLabor
Barker Squire - Craneworks
Tee Valentine - River City Corp

5:30 – 7:00 pm: Networking Reception

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

UVA Darden School of Business, Abbott Auditorium;
100 Darden Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22903

8:30 - 9:00am: Registration / Check-In

9:00 - 10:15am: What Steps Should I be Taking Now to Prepare?
What did it take to get to the decision that ETA was the right path?  What should students and recent grads be doing now to help make that decision?  Once you decide, what is the timeline and what do you need to do to prepare?  How do you set up a search; are there “best practices”? Is it as hard as expected, or harder?

Moderator: Saumil Jariwala - Individual Search Fund Investor

Panelists:
Aaron Blick - - Search Investment Group (SIG)
Tatiana Gaspar - Next Coast ETA
Megan McGee - Peak Tide Operating Partners 
Braeden Wilson - NextGen Growth Partners

10:15 - 10:45am: Break / Networking

10:45am - 12:00pm: Do You Really Want to be a CEO?
This session is designed to challenge attendees to understand if they have the right skillset, temperament, and experience to be a CEO of a small or mid-sized business. This panel of owner-operators will discuss their experiences, including surprises post-acquisition about the company and themselves.  In retrospect, what were key steps they took to prepare themselves for success?  What would they have done differently both pre- and post-acquisition?

Moderator: Hannah Barrett - Pacific Lake Partners

Panelists:
Avisek "Avi" Das - Seanair
Muhammad Hutasuhut - Unleashed Technologies
Edward McDonnell - Botanical Designs
Bruce Vann - LuXout Products Incorporated

12:00 - 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00 - 2:15pm: Industry Perspectives: Getting Deals Done in a Volatile Economy
We will hear from leading legal, financing and fund experts who work with searchers and other buyers. They will focus on how to get deals done using legal and negotiation tips, and how to spot both opportunities and potential pitfalls.  In the current macroeconomic climate, given rising interest rates and compression of valuation multiples, how are industry professionals thinking about financing acquisitions?

Moderator: Marshall Johnson - Northspring Partners

Panelists:
Kevin Barton - BankProv
Heather Endresen - Live Oak Bank
Raam Jani - BakerHostetler
Michael Kidd - Mowery & Schoenfeld
Havell Rodrigues - New Majority Capital

2:15 - 2:45pm: Break / Networking

2:45 - 4:00pm: Which Search Model is Right for Me?
This session of ETA investors is designed to help potential searchers determine the appropriate model for their search and acquisition process. The session will provide an overview of the established models: traditional, accelerator, self-funded and PE-backed search. The moderator will explain the differences between these models and then open up the discussion for the panel to debate the pros and cons of these various models during each phase: the search process, due diligence, closing a deal and post-acquisition. Attendees should begin thinking about the models and which one fits best with their backgrounds, style and target industries.

Moderator: Randy Seibert – UVA Darden School of Business        

Panelists:
Timothy Bovard – Search Fund Accelerator
Shannon Jones - Halstatt Legacy Partners
Dave Slenzak – Broadtree Partners
Badge Stone - WSC & Company
Linh Tran - Advanced Commercial Group

4:00 - 6:00pm: Networking reception