EMINAE CEO Forum: Navigating Today’s M&A Landscape

Description

Eminae CEO Forum: Navigating Today’s M&A Landscape
Wednesday, February 19 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Pyramid Club | 1735 Market St, 52nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Stop Guessing. Start Executing.

This forum is a rare opportunity to hear directly from dealmakers who are actively financing, structuring, and closing deals right now, not just theorizing from textbooks.

 

You’ll leave with a Deal-Readiness Action List: how buyers assess value, how lenders approve deals, and how to structure exits before tax and estate mistakes get expensive.

 

Who’s in the room: owners + buyers + capital + advisors. No spectators.

 

Stay for the VIP Cocktail Reception (6:00–8:00 PM, same venue): continue the conversation with speakers, capital, and peers. (VIP Pass or Reception Ticket required.)
VIP Reception Ticket: https://www.simpletix.com/e/vip-cocktail-reception-at-the-pyramid-club-tickets-255201

 

No theory. No fluff. Just straight talk from the people getting deals done.

 

Whether you’re planning to scale, sell, or acquire within the next 1–5 years, this event delivers insider clarity on what buyers want, how deals are being financed, and what drives (or kills) value in today’s market.

What You Will Take Away

Each session is designed to give you clarity and next steps—not just ideas.

You’ll walk away with:
✔ What buyers value most today—and how that impacts your price
✔ How lenders make yes/no decisions before you pitch them
✔ Deal-structure essentials that preserve value and reduce risk
✔ When and how to incorporate tax and estate planning into exits
✔ An actionable game plan to move your M&A agenda forward
✔ High-quality connections with professionals who can help execute deals

What Past Attendees Say

“One of the most practical, real-world forums I’ve attended. The insights were immediately actionable.” — 2025 CEO Forum Attendee

“Incredible event. Exceptional talent and insight. You and the crew at Eminae Network outdid yourselves.” — Heather Kollar, Heather A. Kollar Agency.

“Phenomenal event — you’ve done it again, Kyle! 💪🤝 Thanks a ton for letting me be part of it. See you all again next time!” — Sebastian Andersen, ClarityNorth Partners

Upgrade Your ROI: VIP Cocktail Reception (6:00–8:00 PM)

The forum gives you the playbook. The reception gives you the relationships.

Continue conversations with speakers, capital, and operators in a relaxed setting at the Pyramid Club.
VIP Pass or Reception Ticket required.
Reception Ticket: https://www.simpletix.com/e/vip-cocktail-reception-at-the-pyramid-club-tickets-255201

Why This Room Matters Right Now

Most deals don’t fall apart in a single moment—they lose momentum through financing friction, valuation gaps, and diligence surprises. This forum is designed to help you stay deal-ready and move with clarity.

At this CEO Forum, you will:

• Learn directly from professionals actively closing deals—not spectators.
• Understand what lenders and buyers need to say “yes.”
• Gain practical intelligence you can apply this quarter—not someday.
• Meet decision-makers and deal partners who can help you execute

Who Should Attend

This is for you if you are:

• A business owner or CEO planning to grow, sell, or acquire
• An investor or private equity leader focused on real deal flow.
• A lender or deal professional tracking current market realities
• An advisor guiding clients through valuation, tax, estate, or exit planning

Capacity is limited to maintain a high-quality room. Registration closes Feb 18.
Early registrations are strong—RSVP early.

 

Decisions you make today shape your business trajectory tomorrow.

 

EVENT AGENDA

1:00 – 1:40 PM | Registration & Networking

Check-in, welcome refreshments, and open networking with CEOs, investors, lenders, and advisors.

1:40 – 1:50 PM | Opening Remarks

Welcome and overview of the forum agenda.

1:50 – 2:40 PM | Panel 1

Financing the Deal: Bank-Backed Strategies for Successful Exits

In today’s tighter credit environment, understanding how deals are financed is critical. This panel brings together lenders, valuation experts, and a CEO with real acquisition experience to explain how financing decisions impact deal structure, valuation, and closing success.

Topics include:

• How current credit markets affect deal timing and execution
• How lenders evaluate acquisitions and refinancing opportunities
• SBA lending vs conventional bank financing and when each makes sense
• How valuations influence loan approval and deal structure
• What must buyers and sellers prepare before approaching lenders?

• Standard financing red flags that delay or derail deals

   

Panelists:

• Moderator: Joseph Guarino, Principal, President & CEO, LINK Business
• Mary Soldano, SBA Lender & Business Development Officer, Truliant Bank
• Eric Murchison, Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer, Mid Penn Bank
• Brian McIntyre, Partner & Market Leader, Corporate Valuation and SBA Loan Valuations, Withum
• Dan Armenia, CEO, High Tech Heating and Cooling
   

2:50 – 3:40 PM | Panel 2

Business Transitions: When M&A Meets Estate Planning

Selling or transitioning a business is not only a financial transaction but also a personal and family decision. This panel explores how M&A intersects with tax and estate planning strategies, and why planning EARLY allows business owners to maximize after-tax proceeds and align with long-term wealth and legacy goals.

Topics include:

• Why tax and estate planning should begin years before a sale
• How does the deal structure impact after-tax outcomes?
• Coordinating CPAs, attorneys, bankers, and advisors during a transition
• Common mistakes owners make when planning too late
• Preparing for wealth management, legacy, and life after a sale

Panelists:

• Moderator: Kalimah Z. White, JD, Senior Vice President & Senior Business Consulting Director, Key Private Bank
• Meghan Jodz, Principal, Grant Thornton Advisors
• Erin Hoffman, CExP, Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Services (CFS)
• Courtney Dolaway, Shareholder, Flaster Greenberg PC
• Marcia Zaruba O’Connor, CEO and Founder, The O'Connor Group

3:40 – 4:10 PM | Networking & Refreshments

4:10 – 5:00 PM | Panel 3

Deal Makers Unfiltered: Real Talk on Value, Timing, and the State of Today’s Buyers

This closing session brings together investment bankers, business brokers, and private equity professionals for an honest, unfiltered discussion on what is happening in the deal market today.

Topics include:

• What buyers are paying for today and what they are avoiding
• How timing and preparation impact valuation
• Why do some deals move quickly while others stall
• Market realities, business owners often hear too late.
• What owners should do now if they plan to sell in the next 1–3 years?

Panelists:

• Moderator: Kyle Griffith, Managing Partner, The NYBB Group, Founder, Eminae Network
• Christine Jones, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Blue Highway Growth Capital
• Raaz Ali, Founder, The Raivax Group
• Ryan Hummel, Operating Partner, Falcon Capital Partners

5:00 – 5:20 PM | Closing Remarks

5:20 – 6:00 PM | Networking & Refreshments

6:00 – 8:00 PM | VIP Cocktail Reception (Requires VIP Pass or Reception Ticket).

 

Purchase your VIP Cocktail Reception Ticket Here or Save when purchasing a VIP Pass Ticket

https://www.simpletix.com/e/vip-cocktail-reception-at-the-pyramid-club-tickets-255201

 

 

 

 

 

You will discover proven strategies, hear directly from active dealmakers, and gain practical insight into today’s M&A market.

This forum is designed to help business owners and CEOs make more informed decisions on growth, acquisitions, and exits while building meaningful relationships with experienced investors, lenders, and advisors.

Whether you are preparing for a future transaction or actively evaluating opportunities, you will leave with clearer direction, stronger connections, and a better understanding of how deals are getting done right now.

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT EMINAE

Eminae is a curated community of CEOs, business owners, investors, and trusted advisors focused on education, collaboration, and real-world dealmaking. Through forums, roundtables, and private events, Eminae creates spaces where meaningful conversations lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes.

 

About the Eminae CEO Forum

The Eminae CEO Forum is an exclusive educational event designed for CEOs, business owners, and M&A professionals navigating critical transitions. Whether focused on growth, mergers, or exit strategies, this private forum connects you with an elite group of advisors and consultants who provide actionable insights and expert guidance tailored to your unique challenges.

 

At the core of the Eminae Network’s mission is our dedication to empowering leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of deal-making. Through dynamic panel discussions and thought-provoking presentations, attendees will gain strategic insights to drive success and maximize opportunities in today’s competitive M&A landscape.

 

 

 

For sponsorship opportunities or inquiries, contact us at admin@eminaenetwork.com.

We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia for an insightful and impactful event!  It will be a transformative afternoon of learning, networking, and strategic insights!

For questions, contact us at admin@eminaenetwork.com or visit eminae.com
 

 

INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH US?

 

 

 

 

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

 

Date & Time

Thu, Feb 19, 2026 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Venue Details

Pyramid Club

1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Eminae Network