Conference Agenda - October 22nd, 2025
Included Workshops for Executives
(Workshop joining links will be emailed)
Executives need to attend a minimum of 4 Pre-Conference Workshops and 2 Post-Conference Workshops.
Six Pre-Conference Workshops
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
- Workshop #1October 8
- Workshop #2October 10
- Workshop #3October 15
- Workshop #4October 17
- Workshop #5October 20
- Workshop #6October 22 (Conference Day)
Three Post-Conference Workshops
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
- Workshop #1October 23
- Workshop #2October 29
- Workshop #3November 5
Guest Slot Agreement
Open Guest Slot Agreement7:00 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 – Working with the “Right” Private Equity Firm Partner
- Questions to ask on the front end
- Actions/Signals to observe
- Capital availability – Firms with Funds vs. Independent Sponsors vs. Family Offices
- Operational control vs. Private Equity Interference
- Growth/ ROI-oriented capital, add-on acquisitions
- History of acquisition and exits
- Management team and hiring
Moderator:
- Yelena Edelstein, Deal Partner – BlackmoreConnects
Panelists:
- Jim Class, Managing Director, Capital Markets
- Bill Kidd, Partner, Kidd & Company
- Ethan Bohbot, Managing Partner, EMB Advisory
- Emily Kochanowicz, Managing Director, JMC Family Office
- Gerald O’Dwyer, Managing Director, Blackmore Partners
10:25 AM – 11:10 AM
CDT
- Panel 2 –Flow of inbound deal proposals/ teasers vs. last year and thoughts looking into Q4 of 2025
- What’s changed in terms of criteria to engage on new deals
- What’s changed in your financial evaluations/ hurdle
- How has the evolving tariff landscape impacted your near term deal view
- Any industry segments moving into or out of favor?
- If your firm has a fund – are you currently fundraising? How has investors’ mood shifted in 2025
- Buyers and sellers always have a different view of valuation…. How have deal structures evolved to get deals completed (or have they?)
- Is today’s economic landscape driving more focus on add-ons rather than platform investments
- How would you describe your firms’ aggressiveness to continue to do deals this year
Moderator:
- James Fanning – Independent Consultant, Translating Experience to Trusted Engagement – Pamaseco LLC
Panelists:
- Brant Wilczeck, Managing Director, Lake Street Capital Partners
- Dana Robinson, Managing Partner, Verde Equity Partners
- Alex Allgood, Managing Director, VeriQuest Investors
- Wally Massenburg, President/CEO, LeadByEx, Inc.
- Ryan Keats,Investor Relation Advisor, SFP Advisors
- Gerald O’Dwyer, Managing Director, Blackmore Partners
10 minutes break
11:20 AM – 12:05 PM
CDT
- Panel 3 – Understanding How/What It’s Like to Work with a Private Equity Investor
- Value Creation
- Different styles between firms
- Communication
- Board Meetings
- Operational vs. strategic influence
- Introductions
- 100-day plan
- Budgets
Moderator:
- Tim Van Mieghem, Partner – The ProAction Group
Panelists:
- Rick Grady, Blackmore Partners, Deal Partner
- David Naiman, Managing Partner, Wherewithal Partners Inc.
- Jess Bailey, Managing Attorney, Bailey Law Firm PLLC
- Chad Barton, Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney at Holland & Knight
- Gerald O’Dwyer, Managing Director, Blackmore Partners
10 minutes break
12:15 PM – 4:00 PM
CDT
Speed Networking Sessions between Private Equity and Executive Attendees via Microsoft Teams.
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
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
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"
Tate Bevis
Principal JMH Capital
Most Private Equity firms listen and ask questions based on Michael Porter’s 5 Forces.
Please watch the videos below for a refresher on Porter’s 5 Forces:
