9:00 – 9:15                             Opening Remarks by BV Chair (Ben) 

 9:15 – 10:45                           Session 1:       Business Valuation in Mergers & Acquisitions, Buyouts, and Private Equity

• Discussion of business valuation in the context of mergers and acquisitions, buyouts, and private equity transactions in a straightforward manner with an emphasis on practical application and real case studies.

Jon Taylor, Stanton  

11:00 – 12:00                         Session 2:     Cost of Capital After 11 Fed Rate Hikes in a Year and a Half

• 2022 started with the S&P 500 Index at a record high. Inflation was already at highs not seen in 40 years, and when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 it threw even more gas on the inflation fire. One month later the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) embarked on one of its most aggressive rate hiking cycles in history (11 rate hikes so far…and counting!). The S&P 500 ended up down 19% by the end of 2022 (in price terms). Equity markets have recovered in 2023, but will the U.S. economy achieve a “soft landing” as the Fed continues to raise rates? These headwinds mean that companies are now facing a higher cost of capital that matches the levels last seen during the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis. This session will unpack the latest economic and financial market developments that have an impact on cost of capital estimates.

James Harrington, Kroll   

12:00 – 1:00                           LUNCH & Networking

1:00 – 2:00                             Session 3:     A Prudent Expert's Guide to ESOP Valuation 2023

• Aren't these just like any other valuation engagements? Is the definition and standard of value the same as other valuation engagements? What's the same, what's different, and is it a Valuation or Fairness Opinion? This presentation will review the ERISA and IRS requirements that you need to know in order to perform or review ESOP Valuations and Fairness Opinions.  

Jeff Faust, Abbott Stringham & Lynch  

2:15 – 3:45                             Session 4:       Leveraging AI for Executive Success - Practical Applications and Strategies for Transforming Your Business with Artificial Intelligence 

• Discover the competitive advantage that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bring to your organization in this strategy-focused presentation. You'll uncover the secrets of AI and learn how to tap into its potential to drive business success across various domains.

Ross Hartmann, Kiingo 

3:45                             Questions, Section Business, Adjournment