The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) Raleigh-Durham Chapter is set to host its annual Raleigh-Durham Owners Forum on September 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Durham, North Carolina. The half-day event is designed to bring together business owners and exit planning professionals to explore how strategic growth and value creation can lead to a more transferable business.
According to the chapter, the forum will feature expert presentations on exit planning topics, panels with local business owners, and an interactive case study. The goal is to provide attendees with practical insights and actionable steps to improve business value and prepare for eventual leadership transitions.
Todd Bailey, President of EPI Raleigh-Durham, emphasized the event's core philosophy: “We built this event around the simple idea that 'good exit planning is good business strategy.' This is an opportunity for local exit planning professionals to hear firsthand from owners in our community and learn more about how we can help owners accelerate business value and reduce risk.”
For business owners, the forum will offer guidance on how growth strategy and value creation work together, helping them develop practical next steps for enhancing their company's worth and ensuring a smooth transition when the time comes. For exit planning professionals—including financial advisors, business consultants, and others—the event provides a chance to hear unfiltered perspectives from North Carolina business owners, offering valuable insights into owner challenges and priorities.
The event is exclusive to EPI chapter members and their business owner guests, creating an intimate setting for meaningful dialogue and networking. This exclusivity underscores the importance of fostering strong relationships between advisors and owners, which is central to effective exit planning.
The importance of this forum lies in its potential impact on the local business community. With many business owners approaching retirement age, the need for comprehensive exit planning has never been greater. By educating owners on the intersection of business strategy and exit readiness, the forum aims to help them maximize the value of their life's work, while also ensuring that their businesses can thrive under new leadership. For advisors, the event offers a unique opportunity to better understand owner perspectives, enabling them to tailor their services to meet real-world needs.
The Exit Planning Institute, which was formed in 2005, has been instrumental in providing professional advisors with the education and resources needed to guide business owners through the exit planning process. Its Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential program is the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program in the world, equipping advisors with the content, tools, and training to become their clients' most valued advisors.
As the business landscape continues to evolve, events like the Raleigh-Durham Owners Forum play a crucial role in preparing both owners and advisors for the challenges and opportunities ahead. By focusing on value creation and risk reduction, the forum aligns with the growing recognition that exit planning is not just about selling a business, but about building a more resilient and valuable enterprise.
For more information about the event and the chapter, interested parties can visit the EPI website at exit-planning-institute.org.
