September 25 & 26, 2019
450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
This prestigious forum assembles corporate development leaders, in-house M&A counsel, board members, and private equity investors to discuss deal strategy, transaction structuring, and post-close integration.
The cross-disciplinary agenda draws on experienced M&A professionals from various industries and regions to share their first hand experiences and war stories.
By taking part in this unique, interactive conference you will gain practical information and perspective on the current challenges impacting complex transactions and learn about innovative methods to improve deal performance.
DAY ONE AGENDA: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
1:00pm - 1:15pm
Check-in, coffee service & opening remarks: William Jefferson Black, Managing Director, Finance Information Group & Publisher of Transaction Advisors
1:15pm - 2:05pm
Using portfolio reviews to inform the M&A strategy This session will look at the use of predictive analytics in M&A; using proprietary financial and operational data alongside external data and valuation metrics to assess the impact of various strategic alternatives and transaction structures, in a manner that is insulated from management bias. The discussion will look at methods for reviewing financial performance and strategic operational value from past acquisitions to model optimal buy-side transactions. Consideration will also be given to the potential for improvements in the capital allocation process and the increasing use of divestitures to fund high-growth M&A opportunities.
2:20pm - 3:10pm
Effectively engaging the board in M&A This session will consider approaches for appropriately and proportionately engaging the Board in the organizations' inorganic growth strategy. Consideration will be given to optimizing lines of authority between the Board, special committees, and management during an M&A process. In addition, the participants will look at the Board's responsibility to regularly assess ‘fit and focus’ to consider divestitures through tax free spin-offs or the sale of non-core assets.
3:25pm - 4:15pm
Challenges associated with digital acquisitions This discussion will look at acquisitions and investments in innovative companies when the objective is primarily to access enabling capabilities or disruptive business models powered by technology and analytics, and where much of the value is embedded in future growth, algorithms, intellectual property including in-process R&D, intangible assets, and human capital including founders and management teams. The session will include a look at corporate venture investment programs, and discuss creative methods for monetizing acquired IP and other digital assets.
4:30pm - 5:20pm
Dealing with leaks...leaking deals This session will explore a range of deal challenges when deal negotiations are leaked to the media, investors, customers, and employees. The conversation will cover cultural norms in various regions and countries. During the second half of the discussion, participants will discuss the unique legal and strategic issues associated with the use of intentional leaks to drive specific actions and apply pressure on a target company.
5:20pm - 5:40pm
Private meetings / M&A technology demos / wine reception
5:20pm - 8:00pm
Wine Reception and Dinner for all conference delegates
War Stories: Complex (and unusual) methods for structuring deals At the conclusion of the dinner service, conference delegates will be invited to share with the group a brief story of an unconventional or clever deal structure they've used to get an acquisition closed. We expect some unusual (and entertaining) approaches will be shared.
DAY TWO AGENDA: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
8:40am - 9:00am
Private meetings
9:00am - 9:15am
Coffee service & welcome remarks
9:15am - 10:05am
Unique deal structures to mitigate global merger control challenges This discussion will explore a range of innovative deal terms and methods for navigating regulatory challenges in domestic and cross-border deals. This session will provide guidance on M&A provisions that anticipate protectionist views, antitrust challenges, and other regulatory outcomes The participants will also comment on models for incorporating the risk of political and regulatory uncertainty into deal terms.
10:20am - 11:10am
Improving deal term negotiations and protections This session will address the give-and-take between buyers and sellers in negotiating key provisions in both domestic and international transactions. The panelists will consider risk allocation, the form and structure of closing conditions, look at the increasing use of transaction insurance in public company deals and in competitive processes, discuss the strength of various protections and remedies, and review other timely topics that may impact the structure and negotiation of a transaction.
11:25am - 12:15pm
Innovations in closing...to avoid disputes This discussion will cover variations in deal structures that may be employed to bridge gaps between buyers and sellers. The participants will consider various forms of consideration and pricing formulations in stock swaps and “earn-out” transactions, consider what level of 'efforts' to close should be agreed, look at current practice for addressing topping bids and matching periods, and identify key closing provisions in M&A deals.
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Luncheon / private meetings / M&A technology demos
1:00pm - 1:50pm
Navigating unsolicited offers This session will look at the unique considerations associated with various approaches including both domestic and international corporate governance issues, look at techniques for modeling responses and proxy contest scenarios, and review methods for assessing the strength of various shareholder rights plans.
2:05pm - 2:55pm
Brand-driven M&A strategies and missteps This session will look at how brands are managed in M&A, consider common integration missteps involving brands and their cultural identity, explore ways high performing acquirers manage acquired brands / portfolios, review variations in vertical and horizontal M&A strategies and the impact on brand frameworks, and discuss methods for holding acquired brands / defensive value.
3:10pm - 4:00pm
Retaining talent and structuring the post-close culture This session will review strategies that may be employed to retain an acquired team, including the structure of financial incentives and retention agreements for key executives that align with critical cultural and performance objectives. The discussion will look at various frameworks to effectively hedge human capital risks and consider methods for repeatable post-merger performance improvement.
4:15pm - 5:05pm
Setting synergy and integration targets This session will explore frameworks that can be used for developing realistic synergy targets, including new and unconventional strategies for a thoughtful integration process. This discussion will also look at the interplay between term sheets and post-close operating dynamics, look at occasions for limited post-merger integration, contemplate variations in deals where there is a minority or venture investment, and consider approaches that may make a future divestiture feasible.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This program is designed for public-company corporate development officers, general counsel, chief financial officers, chief executive officers, board members, private equity investors, and select advisors with responsibility for M&A strategy and execution. This conference is not open to the media.
Conference attendees may be eligible for CLE and CPE
REGISTRATION
Early registration rates are available until September 22, 2019. Standard registration is $1,495.
Includes an annual subscription to Transaction Advisors and a 50% discount on any of our M&A Conferences, Investment Conferences, and the annual Finance and M&A Industry Reception.
Already a subscriber? Enter your email address at checkout to apply the 50% discount included in your subscription.
GROUP PACKAGES
Planning to attend with your M&A team? Please contact info@financeinformationgroup.com to learn about applicable group registration discounts for 3 or more.
TERMS
Registration rates are subject to change. Registrations are nonrefundable. If you are not able to attend an event in which you registered, we will make every effort to transfer your registration to a future conference, of similar or lesser value, for a period of one year. You may also transfer your registration to another individual within your organization, upon our approval. We reserve the right to limit or deny access to our events to any person at our sole discretion. We make no representation that the information and experience provided at any of our events or conferences are suitable for any purpose (see Disclaimer of Warranties). By attending this program you grant Finance Information Group LLC permission to capture and publish videos and pictures that may include your image.
