Developing Effective M&A Approaches

M&A Forum Chicago

APRIL 30, 2026 | THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF CHICAGO

$500 l $0 for Members Learn About All Access Accounts


This highly interactive M&A Forum will gather corporate deal teams to consider challenges impacting complex transactions and explore techniques for refining the M&A process and transaction performance. 

A data-driven approach will ground the discussion and provide a unique framework for assessing changes in the practice and their impact on various deal points and methods for closing transactions.

AGENDA

Welcome and networking | 3:30 - 4:00

Discussion on key challenges and innovation in the M&A process | 4:00 - 5:45

  • Developing key steps in the target identification and development process

  • Crafting clever diligence methods, negotiation techniques, and deal points

  • Designing innovative approaches for retention & cultural alignment

  • Engineering post-close performance improvement

Rachel Strick, Vice President of Business Development & Acquisitions: Immunology, Eye Care, Specialty and Platform Technologies, AbbVie
Lucas Laurel, Managing Director, Global M&A, Arrow Electronics
Karan Bangia, Director of M&A and Corporate Development, ADM
David Shaddick, Partner, Chicago, Bain
William Jefferson Black, Executive Director, Transaction Advisors Institute (Chair)

Continued discussions and networking over wine & appetizers | 5:45 - 7:00

M&A Intelligence

Program Materials

Participants will receive both digital and print materials with more than 100 charts with information on recent shifts in deal volume, negotiation points, and best practices, including the selection below

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Global M&A Value as a Percentage of GDP

A 30-year breakdown of total deal value with overlays that show total M&A as a percentage of global GDP

Chart 1

Buy v. Build Analysis

A trend chart that displays M&A v. CapEx for S&P 500 constituents with CAGRs for each

Chart 2

Buyer Initiated Approaches

A breakdown of friendly deals for a U.S. public target with a transaction value greater than $1B with market checks

Chart 3

Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA Valuations

Deal valuations at historic low against public market valuations

Chart 4

Human Capital Considerations in the Deal Theses

Survey of public and large private corporate acquirers by Transaction Advisors Institute

Chart 5

New HSR Obligations for Corporate M&A Teams

A table with key changes from the new HSR Pre-Merger Notification Form

Chart 6

Share of Total US Imports

Data on Canada, China, and Mexico since 2020 from the J.P. Morgan M&A Outlook

Chart 7

Revenue and Cost Synergy Capture

Data on high-performing M&A teams propensity for capturing synergies

Chart 8

Corporate M&A Approaches for Diligence

Survey of public and large private corporate acquirers by Transaction Advisors Institute

Chart 9

Average Days to Close

Slow close deals are adding complexity and risk

Chart 10

M&A Integration Frameworks by Deal Intent and Complexity

M&A Integration Master Class materials that map approaches by deal type and operational relatedness

Chart 11

M&A Performance by Deal Thesis

Survey of public and large private corporate acquirers by Transaction Advisors Institute

Chart 12

Exclusively for Corporate M&A Teams

M&A Forum Chicago

The University Club of Chicago
76 E. Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Thursday, April 30, 2026
3:30pm - 7:00pm

$500 | $0 for Members Learn About All Access Membership Accounts

Registration is not open to M&A consultants, advisors, vendors, or members of the media. Unqualified registrations will be canceled and refunded, less a $100 bank processing fee.

This program is generously underwritten by