Conference Agenda - April 15, 2026
Workshops Included for Executives
(Executives need to attend a minimum of 4 Pre-Conference Workshops and 2 Post-Conference workshops)
(Workshop joining links will be emailed)
🔵 Six Pre-Conference Workshops
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Workshop #1: April 1, 2026
Workshop #2: April 3, 2026
Workshop #3: April 8, 2026
Workshop #4: April 10, 2026
Workshop #5: April 13, 2026
Workshop #6 (Conference Day): April 15, 2026
🔵 Three Post-Conference Workshops
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Post-Conference Workshop #1: April 16, 2026
Post-Conference Workshop #2: April 22, 2026
Post-Conference Workshop #3: April 29, 2026
Guest Registration Link: https://secure.rightsignature.com/templates/c623d481-deeb-451d-8000-deb902c67ebd/template-signer-li…
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
CDT
Virtual Conference Personal Set-up (BMC Full Conference Execs only)
Please use this time to make sure you are prepared for the start of your conference at 8 AM CDT.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
CDT
Pre-Conference Workshop #6 with Gerald O’Dwyer, Managing Director – BlackmoreConnects (Includes Full and LITE executives)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
CDT
Introductory remarks by Gerald Introduction by Executive to Private Equity Firms (30 secs for each Executive)
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
CDT
- Panel 1 — How to Pick the “Right” Private Equity Firm Partner
- Questions to ask on the front end
- Signals and actions to observe
- Capital availability (Funds vs. Independent Sponsors vs. Family Offices)
- Operational control vs. PE interference
- Add-on acquisitions, growth capital, ROI expectations
- Track record of acquisitions & exits
- Management team / CEO interaction dynamics
Moderator:
- Yelena Edelstein, Deal Partner – BlackmoreConnects
Panelists:
- TBD
10 minutes break
10:25 AM – 11:10 AM
CDT
- Panel 2 — Valuations Through Volatility
- Volume of inbound deal proposals in Q4 2025 vs. Q 4 2024 and outlook heading into Q1 2026? Do you measure this explicitly?
- Any changes of sector focus given today’s economic outlook? Verticals moving in or out of favor?
- How are you dealing with noisy financials and obscure forecasting (lingering COVID impacts of past period comparisons, tariffs on again-off again, persistent areas of inflation, pricing, etc.). Can you get your hands around it for valuations?
- Any deal structure changes emerging to help bridge economic and forecasting volatility? Owner expectation changes?
- How are your investors reacting to deals you put in front of them? Tightening their focus areas or risk tolerance? Feedback on these inputs on your deal criteria?
- We’ve been in a ‘lots of dry powder’ mode for several years now… will anything break this logjam?
- How are you using AI as a firm? What changes do you expect in 2026 for this topic on your operations? On deal attractiveness or targets usage of AI?
- James Fanning – Translating Experience to Trusted Engagement – Pamaseco LLC
Panelists:
- TBD
10 minutes break
11:20 AM – 12:05 PM
CDT
- Value creation process
- Differences in operating styles between firms
- Communication rhythms
- Board meetings and expectations
- Operational vs. strategic involvement
- Introductions / networks
- 100-day plan execution
- Budgets and alignment
- : Assessing a PE sponsor’s philosophy and approach to all of the above
- : Questions executives should ask during the courting phase to understand how a specific PE firm works with their CEOs
Moderator:
- Tim Van Mieghem, Partner – The ProAction Group
Panelists:
- TBD
12:15 PM – 4:00 PM
CDT
Speed Networking Sessions between Private Equity and Executive Attendees via Microsoft Teams.