The Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers Conference 2025 is fast approaching, and anticipation is building for this premier event. Designed to unite dealmakers, advisors, and business owners, the conference offers a unique platform for learning, networking, and fostering valuable connections. Walden M&A is proud to sponsor this event, demonstrating its commitment to supporting growth and excellence in the M&A landscape.
What is the Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers Conference?
John Phillips, President of Walden M&A, shared his insights on the conference’s significance and what attendees can expect. “The Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers conference is intended to bring together all the advisors who work around a deal,” Phillips explained. This encompasses a broad spectrum of professionals, from M&A advisors and legal teams to due diligence experts, quality of earnings teams, and wealth managers—all integral players in the deal-making process.
The conference also attracts individuals and companies contemplating a sale, providing them with invaluable insights and guidance. By creating a forum where these groups can converge, the Smart Business Dealmakers conference facilitates knowledge sharing, promotes learning, and offers unparalleled networking opportunities.
What to Expect at the Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers Conference 2025
For Walden M&A, the conference presents a dual opportunity. “My primary goal is to be informative to others with information exchange and also have the opportunity to meet and network with folks who have those skill sets,” Phillips stated. The firm aims to contribute its expertise to the discussions while simultaneously expanding its network of contacts within the industry.
Phillips elaborated on the structure of the conference, highlighting its dynamic nature. “The conference itself is made up of a series of panels,” he noted. These panels, typically lasting around 45 minutes, delve into specific topics relevant to deal-making. A key feature of these panels is the inclusion of advisors and firms with direct experience in buy-sell transactions, offering attendees a well-rounded perspective.
This format provides significant advantages. “One of the big advantages is for our clients, who we bring to the conference, to hear directly from other companies who have gone through a buy-sell process to learn some of their experiences.” Phillips pointed out. Clients gain firsthand knowledge from those who have navigated the complexities of a transaction, gaining clarity and actionable insights.
Deal Prep: A Key Focus
Walden is actively participating in a panel focused on deal preparation. Phillips emphasized the importance of this topic and the caliber of expertise the panel will offer. “The participants in the panel will include an experienced CEO who has gone through a deal, members of an accounting team who supported the deal, and ourselves as we manage the preparation for the transaction with the client,” he explained.
The firm’s extensive experience in guiding clients through transactions is a valuable asset. “We bring the experience we have had with all of our transactions to the discussion,” said Phillips. The goal is to equip attendees with the essential knowledge to proactively address key considerations before starting a deal.
Some areas of focus include:
- Preparing their thinking about the tax consequences of a transaction
- Getting their books ready for being reviewed for a quality of earnings evaluation
- Strategizing to improve the value of their company to maximize the sales value of their corporation.
By addressing these critical elements, the panel aims to empower attendees to optimize their deal outcomes.
Networking and Relationship Building
The Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers conference is not just about knowledge dissemination. It’s also a prime opportunity for networking and relationship building. Phillips highlighted the diverse range of attendees. “We certainly expect to have in attendance experts in each of the areas working on a deal team, but we also want to have experienced CEOs and members of the C-suite who have been through a transaction. This is a great opportunity to talk with other CEOs and C-suite executives who are considering a transaction,” Phillips said.
This convergence of deal team experts and private industry leaders creates a fertile ground for valuable connections. “One of the big advantages of the conference is to bring those two parties together: people who’ve been through it from the private industry side with folks who are considering a sale,” Phillips added.
Current Industry Topics
The conference also serves as a platform for discussing current events and emerging trends impacting the M&A world. Phillips identified tariffs as a significant topic of discussion this year. Tariffs have become a prominent consideration in deal-making, influencing how buyers and sellers approach transactions. “One of the topics that continues to come up when we work with our private equity firm buyers as well as other buyers is the impact tariffs may be having,” Phillips noted. Or, as he clarified, “a better way to say it is the impact tariffs may have on corporation’s values as they go to sell.”
The potential consequences of tariffs are far-reaching. “If you think about tariffs, they could impact the sales margin because the cost of goods increases,” Phillips explained. This increase in production costs can pressure earnings, potentially leading to lower sales values. While the full impact of tariffs is still unfolding, it is a concern for many in the industry. “There is a very serious discussion going on. We certainly haven’t seen it affect any of our companies at this point,” Phillips stated. “It’s very early in the process, but it’s a concern everybody has as they look out into the future, and it’s sure to be discussed at this conference,” he added.
Tips for Attendees
Having been a key sponsor of the conference for two years, Walden M&A is well-versed in how to make the most of the event. Phillips shared some valuable tips for attendees, drawing from his experience and insights.
“I hope the other sponsors and other people attending will encourage private industry representatives, CEOs, and CFOs to attend because having those private industry representatives in the audience ends up generating good discussion and leads to good questions,” Phillips emphasized. He stressed the importance of having private industry representatives present, as their participation fuels engaging discussions and ensures the conference remains relevant and informative. “And really helps us all make sure the conference discussions provide information and answers to those folks because they are really our primary audience,” Phillips added.
A Premier Venue and Atmosphere
Beyond the educational and networking aspects, the Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers conference offers a high-quality experience with its venue at the Atlanta Athletic Club,” Phillips praised the venue, highlighting the great food, opportunities for interaction, and productive discussions throughout the day. “It certainly has lots of people interacting, and lots of good discussions happen throughout the day,” said Phillips. The conference’s one-day format also makes it convenient for busy professionals.
The Smart Business Atlanta Dealmakers Conference 2025 promises to be a valuable experience for anyone involved in the M&A arena. With its focus on knowledge sharing, networking, and addressing current industry topics, the conference provides a platform for growth and success in the world of deal-making. Walden M&A’s sponsorship and active participation underscore its commitment to fostering excellence and driving positive outcomes for its clients and the industry as a whole.
