I spent the beginning of this week at ACG's M&A South 2024 event. It was great to connect and meet with so many brilliant people. Here are my key takeaways:
- An impressive ecosystem of M&A, private equity, legal, accounting, tax, and service providing dealmakers descended on Alpharetta, GA. Atlanta is here - or maybe it always has been and I just haven't stopped to smell the roses.
- The World Cup and it's impact on Atlanta as a host city is massive (equivalent of hosting eight Super Bowls).
- You can not replace in-person meeting and network building with Zoom. Find balance.
- Do not wait to start networking, especially in your community. Broaden giving, create trusting relationships, and be willing to ask.
- There is an opportunity to leverage AI to make service delivery more efficient, but machines won't replace us, yet.
- The theme of 2024 is cautious optimism until we get closer to the election. Pressure from LPs to boost liquidity, companies looking for growth, and family offices looking to sell will be some of the key drivers of the 'thaw'.
#ACG #MASouth24 #mergersandacquisitions
