2024 Conference Schedule

Click Here for the Conference Speaker Line up

The event will be held in-person at The McDonough School of Business Rafik B. Hariri Building at Georgetown University. All main events will be held in Lohrfink Auditorium.There will NOT be a virtual or recorded option for the conference this year.

Friday, September 6, 2024

3:45 pm: Registration

4:15 pm: Welcome to Georgetown Message

4:30 pm: Spotlight - Overview of the ETA Ecosystem
This session is designed to introduce ETA to attendees who are unfamiliar with the concept or wish to gain a deeper understanding before the Saturday sessions.

4:50 pm: Spotlight - Caution in ETA
Hear from a recent acquirer in the ETA space, sharing insights and experiences from a transaction that didn’t go as planned.

5:10 pm: Panel - What It Takes to Be a CEO?
This panel challenges attendees to understand if they possess the right skill set, temperament, and experience to be a CEO of a small or mid-sized business. Owner-operators will discuss their experiences, including surprises post-acquisition about the company and themselves. They will reflect on key steps they took to prepare for success and what they would have done differently both pre- and post-acquisition.

5:45 pm: Spotlight - Stories from a Recent Acquirer
Hear a firsthand account from a recent acquirer in the ETA space, sharing insights and experiences from their journey.

6:00 pm: Closing Message

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Opening Reception (Fisher Colloquium)
Join fellow attendees, speakers, and panelists for a networking reception to kick off the conference.

Saturday, September 7, 2024

8:30 am: Registration - Breakfast

Morning Session

9:15 am: Opening Comments

9:20 am: Panel - How to Prepare for a Search
Learn from experienced searchers on how to decide if ETA is the right path, what steps to take to prepare, and how to set up a successful search.

10:05 am: Spotlight - Different Approaches to ETA
Explore various strategies and paths within the ETA ecosystem, offering insights into different approaches and their outcomes.

10:30 am: Networking

Afternoon Session

11:30 am: Panel - Business Lending
Gain insights into how SBA lending works, its benefits, and considerations for those pursuing acquisitions through this financing option.

12:00 pm: Spotlight - Global Perspective
This session will provide a broader perspective on ETA, incorporating academic and global viewpoints to enrich attendees' understanding.

12:30 pm: Panel - Guide to Legal and Due Diligence
Hear from leading legal, financing, and fund experts who work with searchers and other buyers. The focus will be on how to get deals done using legal and negotiation tips, and how to spot both opportunities and potential pitfalls. Given the current macroeconomic climate, with higher interest rates, industry professionals will discuss how they are thinking about financing acquisitions.

1:10 pm - 2:45 pm: Lunch (Healy Conference Center)

Closing Session

2:45 pm: Panel - Operations
Learn about the operational challenges and strategies from industry experts who have managed small to mid-sized businesses post-acquisition.

3:25 pm: Spotlight - Government and Business
Explore the impact of government policies on business operations, including regulations, incentives, and support programs relevant to the ETA ecosystem.

3:50 pm: Panel - Investment Strategy & Searcher Attributes
Investors discuss the current investment landscape, searcher dynamics, risk assessment, and market conditions influencing ETA investments. Learn tips on securing investment and meeting investor expectations.

4:30 pm: Closing Comments

5:00 pm - 6:30pm Networking Reception (Connelly Commons Terrace)