Experience Dealmakers
The Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, formerly known as ASPIRE, connects hundreds of Detroit business leaders — from middle-market CEOs to top investors and lenders to leading M&A advisers. With sessions ranging from raising capital to buying and selling companies to planning for liquidity events, our conference covers the breadth of the M&A landscape. Take a look at this brief video from our event (previously named Aspire) to hear what people had to say about the content, speakers and participants.VISIT PREVIOUS EVENT WEBSITE: '19 | '20 | '21 | '22 | '23 | '24
Speakers
Agenda
- 8:00 A.M. Registration & Networking Breakfast
- 8:45 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Kickoff & Introductions
- 9:00 A.M. - 9:40 A.M. Balancing Logic, Emotions and Transparency: A Holistic Approach to Selling Your Business
- 9:40 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Networking
- 10:00 A.M. - 10:40 A.M. Smart Risk, Strong Deals: Mastering Transactional Liability in M&A
- 10:40 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Networking
- 11:00 A.M. - 11:40 A.M. Settling Into the Current Deal Paradigm
- 11:40 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Networking
- 12:00 P.M. - 12:30 P.M. Networking Lunch
- 12:30 P.M. - 1:10 P.M. The Business of College Sports: Leadership, Competition & the Future of the Game
- 1:10 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. Networking
- 1:30 P.M. - 2:10 P.M. Family Business Unlocked: Securing Your Legacy & Shaping the Future
- 2:10 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. Networking
- 2:30 P.M. - 3:10 P.M. The Hidden Drivers of M&A Success: Leveraging IP & Talent for Maximum Value
- 3:10 P.M. - 3:45 P.M. Awards Presentation
- 3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. Cocktail Reception
- 2025 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees
- 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees