Top 20 Conferences to Attend in Q1’15

With 2015 just underway, there is still plenty of time to secure a few more event and conference tickets. Below is a list of 20 conferences in Q1’15 that target middle market deal professionals and business owners.

As we have previously discussed, conferences can be an excellent way to boost your offline business development efforts and increase visibility of opportunities. If you are attending any of the below conferences, it is important to maximize value and effectiveness at events and to measure your ROI.

Look forward to seeing you at some of these events!

January 13 – Private Equity: Dealmaker’s Marketplace, Orange County, CA

The 2015 conference circuit kicks off with ACG’s Private Equity: Dealmaker’s Marketplace. For those of you stuck in the cold this winter, the event’s tagline — “World Class Wines and Dealmaking in a Pacific Coast Paradise” — should make attendance a no-brainer. Although the event is only an evening, it is a good way to start off the new year.

January 15 – Indiana 2015 Capital Markets Showcase, Carmel, IN

For business owners in the midwest considering a transaction in 2015, the Indiana 2015 Capital Markets Showcase is a good way to get a base understanding of the private capital markets. This event, hosted by ACG, promises to “educate business owners, senior executives and their advisors regarding M&A, capital and liquidity events, and in addition, showcase professional expertise and capital providers who are actively involved with deals in Indiana.”

January 20 – Northeast Private Equity Conference, New York, NY

If you’re hoping for a more educational event in January, the Northeast Private Equity Conference, hosted by SBIA, will discuss important legal and regulatory developments, industry outlook for 2015, and a keynote address from Rich Wilson. The conference will conclude with a networking event dedicated to deal professionals active in the lower middle market.

January 25-27 – ACG Northeast Dealmaking Conference, Stratton Mountain, VT

For all you skiers and snow lovers, ACG is hosting an event in Stratton to facilitate networking as you cruise down some moguls. The event — focused on tri-state and northeast deal professionals — offers a variety of opportunities to meet new deal professionals, re-engage with old colleagues, or attend the NASTAR Awards.

January 27-29 – AM&AA Winter Conference, Las Vegas, NV

The last event in January will be AM&AA’s Winter Conference in Las Vegas.  The event, which is designed to provide educational and networking opportunities, is expected to have over 500 mid-market deal professionals in attendance. Be sure to hit the slots or blackjack table while you’re there.

February 3 – Axial New York Winter Summit, New York, NY

Please join Axial for an evening of business development and deal sourcing at the second annual New York Winter Summit. You will have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of business owners, advisors, and capital providers from across the country. Select Member investment banks will be highlighting live deals as well as representing industry-specific verticals.

February 4-5 – ACG Atlanta Capital Connection, Atlanta, GA

The first Capital Connection of 2015 will happen in Atlanta on February 4th and 5th. The event is expected to draw over 1,200 attendees with $121 billion in AUM and feature networking and educational panels. And, for all football fans, the welcome reception is being held in the College Football Hall of Fame.

February 9-10 – Southern Private Equity Conference, Miami, FL

If you are unable to make the Northeast Private Equity Conference on January 20th, here is another chance to attend an SBIA-powered event and learn about important regulatory and legal trends in 2015. In addition to having a warmer setting, this event features a keynote address from political commentator James Carville.

February 11 – 7th Annual Healthcare Conference, New York, NY

Between Obamacare and a diminishing supply of doctors, those involved in the healthcare industry have a lot on their mind. In an effort to promote conversation and networking between healthcare deal professionals and business owners, ACG is hosting its 7th annual healthcare conference in New York. The event features a panel discussion on key healthcare trends, which will be followed by a networking session.

February 11-15 – TMA Distressed Investing Conference, Las Vegas, NV

The TMA Distressed Investing Conference is widely considered to be the “preferred meeting place for corporate restructuring and distressed investing professionals.” Gathering hundreds of professionals in Las Vegas, the three-day event will  include a variety of educational panels, networking events, and a Turnaround Capital Forum.

February 18-19 – 28th Annual Power and Gas M&A Symposium, New York, NY

2015 will almost certainly prove to be an interesting year for the energy sector — especially for smaller oil and gas explorers. However, the Power and Gas M&A Symposium, hosted by SNL, also promises to discuss the growing activity in “non-regulated generation, retail energy marketing and other related businesses.” The event is designed for both energy professionals, advisors, and investors.

February 25-26 – Texas ACG Capital Connection, Dallas, TX

On February 25th, over 1,300 dealmakers are expected to gather in Dallas for a two-day event of networking. The first day features the Women’s Forum Luncheon, DealSource, and a VIP Reception. The second day is dedicated entirely to the Capital Connection. Look out for the keynote address from golfer David Feherty.

March 8-11 – 27th Annual ROTH Conference, Dana Point, CA

Now in it’s 27th year, ROTH is hosting its annual conference on March 8th – 11th. The event, which is expected to draw over 3,000 attendees to beautiful California, will be filled with company presentations, thousands of one-on-one meetings, discussion panels, and “signature evening entertainment.”

March 10 – Family Office Winter Forum, New York, NY

Over the past several years family offices have become  significant players in the private capital markets. With new single- and multi-family offices sprouting each year, the Opal group is hosting a forum in March helping educate on “the challenges and opportunities associated with investing in emerging markets, alternative investments, real estate, direct energy, numerous other asset classes.”

March 10-11 – 21st Mid-Atlantic Growth Conference, McLean, VA

If you are involved in the technology sector, this conference is for you. This conference has a dedicated Tech Showcase and ACG DealSource. Maybe you could plan a few meetings amongst the cherry blossoms. Featured speakers include David Falk, founder of F.A.M.E., and Michael Chasen, founder and CEO of SocialRadar.

March 18 – Axial San Francisco Summit, San Francisco, CA

For those that couldn’t make it to our New York Summit, we are hosting another event in San Francisco on March 18th. The events are designed to create opportunities to connect with hundreds of business owners, advisors, and capital providers from across the country. To learn more about our smaller roundtables, view our full events program here.

March 19 – 2015 West Coast M&A Conference, San Francisco, CA

ACG is hosting its West Coast M&A Conference on March 19th in San Francisco. In addition to the usual networking and business development opportunities, the event has a featured fireside panel on “The State of Middle Market Private Equity: A CEO Fireside Chat.” Early bird registration ends January 9th!

March 19 – TMT M&A Forum 2015, London, UK

Head across the pond for the TMT M&A Forum on March 19th. The event is expected to host over 60 speakers and all significant players in the TMT space. Featured roundtables include topics like “Who is best placed to lead consolidation and convergence?” and “How will mergers and acquisitions change the market?”

March 30-31 – Real Estate Investors Summit, Miami, FL

Attention real estate investors! This conference, hosted by Opal Financial Group, “promises to be 2015’s leading conference and exposition for real estate professionals, hedge fund managers, private investors, family offices, pension funds and other institutional investors.” If real estate is a key part of your portfolio, this conference is worth checking out. It doesn’t hurt that it’s in Miami, either.

March 31 – Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Forum, Denver, CO

The Q1’15 conference circuit closes with the Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Forum on March 31st. In addition to keynote speeches from Daymond John and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, the event features panels on managing organic growth and funding strategic growth. The full attendee list will be released three weeks prior to the event, giving you plenty of time to schedule some meetings in advance.