Virtual Conference Roadmap To Success

Conference Agenda - February 18, 2026

Workshops Included for Executives

Executives need to attend a minimum of 4 Pre-Conference Workshops and 2 Post-Conference Workshops joining links will be emailed)

🔵 Six Pre-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

Workshop #1: February 4, 2026
Workshop #2: February 6, 2026
Workshop #3: February 11, 2026
Workshop #4: February 13, 2026
Workshop #5: February 16, 2026
Workshop #6 (Conference Day): February 18, 2026

🔵 Three Post-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

Post-Conference Workshop #1: February 19, 2026
Post-Conference Workshop #2: February 25, 2026
Post-Conference Workshop #3: March 4, 2026

Open Guest Slot Agreement

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 dynamic

Moderator:

Yelena Edelstein, Deal Partner – BlackmoreConnects

Panelists:

Rick Grady, Jess Bailey, Mark Kennedy, Jessica Clemence

10:25 AM – 11:10 AM

CDT

Panel 2: Valuations Through Volatility.

Volume of inbound deal proposals in Q4 2025 vs. Q4 2024 and outlook for 2026
Changes in sector focus given today’s economic environment; verticals moving in or out of favor
Managing noisy financials and forecasting challenges (COVID comparisons, tariffs, inflation, pricing volatility)
Deal structure changes used to bridge valuation and forecasting gaps
Shifts in owner expectations
The persistence of dry powder and what might unlock deployment — beginning to see Portco’s turning?
Use of AI within firms today (portco’s and your investment firm) and new applications expected or testing? (operations, deal sourcing, and target evaluation)

Moderator:

James Fanning, Translating Experience to Trusted Engagement – Pamaseco LLC

Panelists:

Rick Grady, Jess Bailey, Dave Mack, Chris Hammond, Mike Adhikari

10 minutes break

11:20 AM – 12:05 PM

CDT

Panel 3 — What It’s Like to Work With a PE Investor

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:

Rick Grady, Jess Bailey, Jesse Moran, John Dahlgren

10 minutes break

12:15 PM – 4:00 PM

CDT

Speed Networking Sessions between Private Equity and Executive Attendees via Microsoft Teams.

BMC Virtual Conference - Events Scheduled

Your Virtual Conference Roadmap To Success

Because we want your virtual conference experience to be positive, the following information provides details on how to maximize your time at the upcoming event.

All Full conference executives should join the Virtual Conference between 7 AM and 8 AM CDT to ensure you are set up and ready with your computer, headset and camera. (LITE attendees will join at 8 AM CDT for Pre-Conference Workshop #6)
There will be an executive introduction once the event begins where you will have the opportunity to briefly speak about your previous experience and future intentions for getting involved with Private Equity.
As part of your prep for the conference you may consider listening to the webinars and taking notes.

Please be punctual to the scheduled start, stop, and break time. The 10-minute breaks between panel sessions can be used as needed to step away from your computers.
It is important to set large conference goals such as why you are attending and what you wish to accomplish overall. It is also important to set smaller goals for each interaction you have, such as identifying a specific thought, idea, or deal.
Executives now, more than ever, need to be proactive about utilizing networking conferences to expedite their deals. It's all about expanding your PE funnel.

"One of the big reasons I came to the conference today, is that an important part of our strategy is finding deals where we can buy multiple companies and close them the same day, and one of the ways you can find companies that can do that is to find executives who have knowledge of industries or industry segments. who can lead us to the companies and we can put the businesses together."

Bill Kidd

Founding Partner
Kidd & Company

"Being able to expand your network outside the traditional network within your industry. Particularly, if you're looking for opportunities either with portfolio companies within private equity space and learning how they think, or looking for opportunity in terms of acquiring a business and getting somebody to help you. A lot of executives don't like that. It expands the possibilities of what people can so."

Jon Van Tuin

Business Development Executive
Trivest Partners

"I would definitely recommend attending if what's paramount to your investment strategy is executive talent with sort of thoughtful investment ideas. I thought this was a really unique way to development investment ideas as a firm, but also as a way to have an idea with a person that can help execute that strategy. I would definitely recommend this event to my fellow Private Equity executives"