Virtual Conference Roadmap To Success

Conference Agenda - April 15, 2026

Workshops Included for Executives

(Executives need to attend a minimum of  4 Pre-Conference Workshops and 2 Post-Conference workshops)

(Workshop joining links will be emailed)

🔵 Six Pre-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

Workshop #1: April 1, 2026

Workshop #2: April 3, 2026

Workshop #3: April 8, 2026

Workshop #4: April 10, 2026

Workshop #5: April 13, 2026

Workshop #6 (Conference Day): April 15, 2026

🔵 Three Post-Conference Workshops

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

Post-Conference Workshop #1: April 16, 2026

Post-Conference Workshop #2: April 22, 2026

Post-Conference Workshop #3: April 29, 2026

Guest Registration Link: https://secure.rightsignature.com/templates/c623d481-deeb-451d-8000-deb902c67ebd/template-signer-li…

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 dynamics
     
 

 Moderator: 

  • Yelena Edelstein, Deal Partner – BlackmoreConnects
 

Panelists:

  • Jeff Gonyo, Jess Bailey, and Chris Hammond
 

10 minutes break 

10:25  AM – 11:10 AM

CDT

Panel 2 — Valuations Through Volatility
 
  • Volume of inbound deal proposals in Q1 2026 vs. Q1 2025 and outlook into Q2 2026
    Sector focus shifts based on economic outlook and Iran conflict
    Managing noisy financials and forecasting uncertainty
    Deal structure changes to bridge volatility and forecasting cloudiness
    Investor reactions and risk tolerance
    “Dry powder” environment outlook
    Use of AI in firm operations and deal evaluation       
Moderator: 
 
  • James Fanning – Translating Experience to Trusted Engagement – Pamaseco LLC
 

Panelists: 

  • Rick Grady,  Jess Bailey, Drew Bagin/Sam Sezak

10 minutes break

11:20 AM – 12:05 PM

CDT

Panel 3 — What It’s Like to Work With a PE Investor
11:20 AM – 12:05 PM CT
  • 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: 

  • Dave Mack, Jess Bailey

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."
, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April
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 – April
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 – April
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

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

Yelena Edelstein

Deal Partner

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

Tim Van Mieghem​

Partner

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

James Fanning

Pamaseco LLC, CEO

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

Rick Grady

Deal Partner

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

Chris Hammond

West elk Partners

, Virtual Conference Roadmap – April

Jess Bailey

Bailey Law Firm PLLC

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

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin