Virtual Conference Roadmap To Success

EXECUTIVE KIT

Conference Agenda - October 21st, 2026

October 2026 Workshops

(Workshop joining links will be emailed)

Six Pre-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

  • Workshop #1: October 7, 2026
  • Workshop #2: October 9, 2026
  • Workshop #3: October 14, 2026
  • Workshop #4: October 16, 2026
  • Workshop #5: October 19, 2026
  • Workshop #6 (Conference Day): October 21, 2026

Three Post-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

  • Post-Conference Workshop #1: October 22, 2026
  • Post-Conference Workshop #2: October 28, 2026
  • Post-Conference Workshop #3: November 4, 2026

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 
  • 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: 

  • ​TBD

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? 
  
Moderator: 
 
  • James Fanning – Independent Consultant, Translating Experience to Trusted Engagement – Pamaseco LLC
 

Panelists:

  • TBD
 

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:  

TBD

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."
, Virtual Conference Roadmap – October
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."
, Virtual Conference Roadmap – October
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"
, Virtual Conference Roadmap – October
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:

Participating Capital Providers And Speakers

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Additional Resources

Private Equity From A Capital Provider's Viewpoint

Master Private Equity: Overcoming Challenges For Executives

Insights From Our Private Equity Specialists

Discover Private Equity Case Studies & Articles

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