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Wednesday, August 28th - Thursday, August 29th, 2024

At the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel



Experience the premier event for dealmaking in the wealth management industry.

Renowned leaders, professionals and experts in financial services attend and participate in ECHELON’s annual Deals & Dealmakers (DDM) Summit to experience in-depth conversations designed to educate and inform buyers, sellers, and investors on the most strategic and current M&A topics within the wealth and investment management industries.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn from 50+ industry experts, participate in enlightening and intellectually stimulating panel sessions, and network with the industry’s leading professionals.

2024 Agenda 

Summit Pre-Conference Golf Event, Tuesday, August 27th at Monarch Beach Golf Links (Optional)

Noon - 1:00 PM: Check-in for Golf Event, Box Lunch, Driving Range

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Tee Off

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Appetizers, Cocktails, Awards

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Break

8:00 PM: Dinner with Sponsors (optional and by invitation)

Ritz photo 1

Wednesday, August 28th                                                      Summit: Day One

11:00 AM - 5:30 PM: Registration Opens

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch with Experts and Sponsors

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Ask the Experts (4x20 Minute Intro Meetings)

3:00 PM - 3:20 PM: Networking Break

3:20 PM - 3:30 PM: Welcome and Vision for the Summit

3:30 PM - 4:25 PM: ECHELON Client CEOs: Overcoming The Myriad of Pre-Close Challenges

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Advanced Concepts of Deal Structuring, Valuation, & Legal Terms

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Cocktail Reception Overlooking Salt Creek Beach

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: "Dealmakers Dinner" at Sunset

Ritz Outdoor Pic

Thursday, August 29th                                                                Summit: Day Two

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Networking Breakfast 

8:00 AM - 8:10 AM: Welcome and Introduction 

8:10 AM - 9:00 AM: Insights from Leading Wealth Management Executives – Lessons in Deal Making, Entrepreneurship and People Success

9:00 AM - 10:10 AM: Keynote Debate 

10:10 AM - 10:30 AM: Mid-Morning Break 

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Mastering Emotional Intelligence and The Psychology of Succession

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Private Credit's Growing Influence in Wealth Management M&A

12:30 PM - 1:25 PM: Lunch & Networking 

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM: Private Equity's Deal Making for the Industry's Most Prized Opportunities

2:15 PM - 3:05 PM: Legal Debate: Opposing Counsels Negotiate & Collide Over Key Deal Terms

3:05 PM - 3:30 PM: Networking Break 

3:30 PM - 4:20 PM: State of TAMPs and Key Deals Shaping the Future

4:20 PM - 5:10 PM: Breakaway to RIA – Evaluation of Trends, Opportunities and Obstacles

5:10 PM - 5:15 PM: Recap, Review, and Reflect! 

5:15 PM - 8:00 PM: "Closing the Deal" Cocktail Reception at Sunset

DDM Speakers

DDM features the industry's most influential voices on M&A, strategy, leadership and solutions for deal making

Mark Tibergien

Independent Board Member, Management Consultant & Speaker

Dan Seivert

CEO & Founder at ECHELON Partners

Linda Paullin-Hebden

Partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP

Albert Hicks

Vice President at Crestline Investors, Inc

Stacy Hefty

President of Credent Wealth Management

Mark Bruno

MD, Strategic Advisory at Emigrant Partners

Mike Wunderli

Managing Director at ECHELON Partners

Michael Abelson

EVP, Corporate Development at AssetMark

Kurt Miscinski

Partner, President & CEO of Cerity Partners

Jonathan Scheid

President at Buckingham Strategic Partners

David Barton

Vice Chairman, M&A leader at Mercer Advisors

Irene Keskinen

Principal at Redbird Capital Partners

Barnaby Audsley

SVP at ECHELON Partners

Jon Kropf

Managing Director at IEQ Capital

Shannon Rosic

Dir. Content & Solutions, WM at Informa Connect

Brett Mulder

SVP at ECHELON Partners

Timothy Ursiny

Founder of Advantage Coaching & Training, Inc.

David Mainzer

Partner at Buchalter

Megan Carpenter

CEO at Ficomm

Greg Gessert

VP, Corporate Development at LPL Financial

Ted Motheral

Corporate/M&A Partner at Potomac Law Group, PLLC

Joe Mattina

Partner at Penfund

Zach Ursiny

Coach at Advantage Coaching & Training, Inc.

Scott Rosen

Partner at Ares Management Corporation

Michael Seid

CEO of Axxcess Wealth Management

Jim Dilworth

Founder & CEO of Dilworth Capital

John Krambeer

CEO & Founder at Validus Capital

Jack Petersen

Managing Partner at Summit Trail Advisors

Mike Hollander

Managing Director at GTCR

Alex Goss

Co-Managing Partner at New Edge Advisors

Tim Welsh

President at Nexus Strategy

DDM Summit Experts

DDM Summit offers insight from the industry's top experts on M&A, strategy, leadership and solutions for deal making

David Mainzer

Partner at Buchalter

Kathy Freeman

CEO at Kathy Freeman Co.

Mike Wunderli

Managing Director at ECHELON Partners

Pat Burns

Attorney at The Law Offices of Patrick J. Burns, Jr.

Adam Farag

VP, Strategic Markets at Oak Street Funding

Megan Carpenter

CEO at Ficomm

Brett Mulder

SVP at ECHELON Partners

Tim Welsh

President at Nexus Strategy

Kelli Cruz

CEO & Owner at Cruz Consulting Group

Richard Lofgren

MD at Goldman Sachs Advisor Solution

Barnaby Audsley

SVP at ECHELON Partners

Candice Carlton

EVP at Ficomm

Susie McEuen

Vice President at Oak Street Funding

Greg Gessert

VP, Corporate Development at LPL Financial

Jeff Bischoff

President & CEO at Old Greenwich Consulting

Dustin Mangone

Managing Partner at PPC Loan

Sean Keenan

MD & Head of BD at BNY Pershing

Molly Crane

Partner at Blank Rome

Corey Kupfer

Founder & MP at Kupfer & Associates

Oleg Tishkevich

CEO at Invent

Pablo Bizjack

Senior Director at BNY Pershing

Daniel Gilmartin

Head of Marketing at Catchlight

Julie Littlechild

Founder & CEO, Absolute Engagement

John Turner

Vice President at Live Oak Bank

Aaron Racino

Senior Relationship Manager at PPC LOAN

Linda Paullin-Hebden

Partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP

Bing Waldert

Managing Director at Cerulli Associates

Shannon Rosic

Dir. Content & Solutions, WM at Informa Connect

Stephen Caruso

Senior Analyst, WM at Cerulli Associates

Doug Fritz

CEO at F2 Strategy

Liz Manibay

Director of Field Consulting at Charles Schwab

Michelle Odom

Founder & CEO at Ellevate

Ted Motheral

Corporate/M&A Partner at Potomac Law Group, PLLC

Jared Baucom

Managing Director at Cerulli Associates

Liz Fritz

Co-founder & CCO at F2 Strategy

Jeremy Fodaski

Senior Account Manager at Cerulli Associates

2024 DDM Summit 

In 2024, ECHELON hosted the return of our annual conference, the Deals & Dealmakers Summit. The turnout was incredible, with a record 200+ C-Suite executives, 25 speakers, and 50+ industry experts in attendance.

Laguna Golf Pic

Interactive Sessions. Innovative Networking. Applied Workshops. Real Deal Experience.

200+ C-SUITE EXECUTIVES IN ATTENDENCE
300+ DEALS CONSUMMATED BY DDM ATTENDEES OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS
55+ M&A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS PRESENT AT EACH SUMMIT

Deals & Dealmakers Summit provides wealth and asset management executives with:

Unparalleled Networking Opportunities 
Advanced Education and Training
Solutions to Key Needs 
Advisory Relationships 
A Substantial Opportunity to Learn 
An Executive Experience

More About The Deals & Dealmakers Summit

Who should attend the DDM Summit?

The Deals and Dealmakers (DDM) Summit is ideal for owners and C-suite executives from RIAs, Wealth Managers, Asset Managers, WealthTech providers, capital providers, and leading consulting firms. Specifically, it attracts firms and individuals interested or involved in deal making within the wealth management industry, including potential buyers and sellers, and the professionals who facilitate these transactions. Key influencers in RIA and wealth dealmaking have found great success at the DDM Summit as more than 160 deals have been consummated by attendees through the last five years.

 

What do attendees learn?

Attendees learn advanced education and training across a diverse range of topics crucial to deal making in wealth management. This includes financing, deal structuring, valuation, equity sharing, and other rarely addressed subjects. They also gain insights into practice management and transition strategies. Our content theme for 2024 is focused on “Answering the Call for Next-Level Management,” outlining the evolution in the management skills required to achieve success as firms evolve and grow in scale and sophistication.

Why do attendees, speakers and sponsors find it valuable?

Attendees find the DDM Summit valuable for its unparalleled networking opportunities with over 200 professionals specifically related to deal making. They also appreciate the opportunity to form advisory relationships with industry experts and sponsor partners. Attendees enjoy the intimate nature of the Summit with focused sessions in an environment that allows them to spend quality time with each other. Speakers value it as a platform to share expertise in a focused, industry-specific environment. Sponsors benefit from connecting with wealth managers and service providers in a context directly relevant to deal making.

What makes the event fun, entertaining, and unique?

The DDM Summit stands out with its unique blend of educational content, intimate setting, and networking opportunities tailored exclusively for wealth management dealmakers. It features celebratory networking dinners and special events like the Dealmakers Dinner, DDM Golf Outing, and Meet the Experts, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for fostering meaningful connections.

How do attendees get the most out of the event?

Attendees maximize their experience by actively participating in scheduled meetings with experts and engaging with over 30 subject matter experts and 40 speakers. Networking at celebratory dinners and other social events also enhances their ability to build relationships critical to successful deal making.