The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) Wisconsin Chapter will host its annual Business Owner Forum on September 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The event aims to provide business owners and exit planning professionals with actionable strategies for successful business transitions, with a special focus on family business successions and sales to public buyers.
This year’s forum will feature interviews with three Wisconsin business owners: two who transitioned their companies to the next generation, and one who sold their business to a public buyer. These firsthand accounts will offer attendees a rare, confidential look into the challenges and successes of real-world exits. Erik Owen, President of EPI Wisconsin, emphasized the value of the forum: “EPI Wisconsin’s Business Owner Forums provide a confidential space for discussions with local business owners and industry professionals focused on exit planning. This year, we are excited to feature in-depth interviews with three family business owners who recently exited their businesses along with expert insights from five advisors who have built successful exit planning practices.”
Business owners attending will learn key strategies for transitioning their businesses and understand the range of options available to them, from family succession to selling to third parties. For exit planning professionals such as financial advisors and business consultants, the forum offers an opportunity to hear directly from owners who have undertaken leadership and ownership transitions, providing valuable lessons that can inform their advisory practices.
The event is particularly timely, as many baby boomer business owners are approaching retirement, and the need for effective exit planning has never been greater. According to EPI, a significant portion of business owners lack a formal transition plan, which can lead to business failure or value erosion. Forums like this help bridge that gap by sharing real-world experiences and expert knowledge.
The forum will also feature insights from five advisors who have built successful exit planning practices, offering attendees a multi-faceted perspective on the process. These experts will discuss best practices, common pitfalls, and emerging trends in exit planning, providing a comprehensive educational experience.
Interested parties can learn more and register for the Business Owner Forum on the EPI Wisconsin website. The event is designed for both business owners and professionals, with a focus on fostering meaningful conversations in a confidential setting.
The Exit Planning Institute, formed in 2005, serves the educational and resource needs of professional business advisors. Its Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential program is the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program globally, equipping advisors with the content, tools, and training to become trusted advisors to business owners. More information is available at exit-planning-institute.org.
The Business Owner Forum underscores the importance of proactive exit planning in preserving business value and ensuring smooth transitions. By learning from those who have successfully navigated the process, attendees can better prepare for their own futures, whether that involves passing the business to family or selling to an external buyer.
