M&A Forum Chicago

Developing Effective M&A Approaches

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

3:30 - 4:00pm
Welcome and networking

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

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

Rich Michalek, Global Director - Business Development and Mergers and Acquisitions, ADM
Rupe Gill, Partner, Deals, PwC
Ye Bu, Managing Director, Strategy & Business Development, GE Healthcare
Jason Baab, Vice President Corporate Development, Strategy & Sustainability, Toro
William Jefferson Black, Executive Director, Transaction Advisors Institute (Chair)

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

M&A Intelligence

Program Materials

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

Show Charts

Hide Charts

M&A value in the US

This chart shows deal value on a year over year basis

Chart 1

Buy v. Build analysis based on M&A and CapEx

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

Chart 2

Buyer initiated approaches and performance

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

Chart 3

Percent of companies pausing or revisiting pending acquisitions

Around 30% of companies paused or revisited pending deals due to the tariff uncertainty

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

M&A information security approaches

Most require a new NDA for every deal process to remind the team of their confidentiality obligations

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

The use of cultural assesments in M&A

Most corporate M&A teams conduct a cultural assessment during diligence to understand similarities and differences

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 Professionals

M&A Forum Chicago

The University Club
76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603

Thursday, September 25, 2025
3:30pm - 7:00pm

Learn About 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