ETA Deal Team Day: NYC

A thoughtfully designed day for Active Searchers to forge deep community connections and level up SMB Acquisition knowledge.

This is not your average panel discussion or generic networking event. This is hands-on, targeted, and built to give you the edge you need to stand out with your search.

Our goal is simple: empower you to unlock strategies, build connections, and secure the tools you need to close the deals you are actively working on. You'll hear expert insights from top voices in the ecosystem, work alongside deal team experts, and build connections with fellow searchers.

What to Expect:

• Actionable Deal Strategies:
  Gain practical insights from top deal team partners on financial diligence, legal structuring, risk analysis, and more.

• The Deal Tank Workshop:
  Put your skills to the test in a live, interactive pitch competition where you’ll structure offers for fake SBA and Non-SBA deals alongside industry experts.

• 1:1 Access to Experts:
  Chat with seasoned investors, lenders, and legal pros for personalized guidance tailored to your search challenges.

• Fuel for the Day:
  Enjoy a catered lunch, all-day snacks, and wrap it up with a celebratory happy hour to recharge and share ideas.

​🔎 A KILLER LINEUP OF DEAL TEAM EXPERTS & ETA PARTNERS FOR THE DAY:

Leading Minds at your fingertips...

It’s rare to get this many of the right people in one room. But that’s exactly what’s happening. They’re going to be there—with you, in person, ready to dig in.

Win the Deal: Sourcing & Early Due Diligence

How Searchers are actually finding good deals in today’s market. From brokered listings to proprietary outreach, this panel breaks down what sourcing strategies are working and how buyers validate opportunities before going deep in diligence.

Moderator: Dylan Gans - Baton

Panelists:

• Alex Hinch - Rejigg

• Avnit Sekohn - Treewalk Advisors

• Jackie Hirsch - Crowne Atlantic Business Brokers

• Kevin Henderson - SMB Law Group

• Marc Perkins - DealMatch

Close The Deal: From LOI to Deep Diligence & Close

Presented by With Coverage

Navigating the legal landmines and structuring protections that shield your downside without killing the deal.

Moderator: Patrick Dichter - Appletree Business Services

Panelists:

• Joe Spina - wiggin(x)

• Josh Richman - NewCo Risk

• Scott McKenzie - Baker Newman Noyes

• Tye Hernandez - Aspen HR

$$$: Capital Stack Confidentials

Presented by Huntington Bank

Debt, equity, and the real mechanics of getting a deal funded. Hear how lenders, investors and legal experts evaluate opportunities and how Searchers are structuring capital that actually works after close.

Moderator: Andrew Hippert -  Acquisition Lab

Panelists:

• Adam Markley - Prox Search Capital

• Drew Eckman - SMB Loan Support

• Jacob Hall - Kando Capital

• Mitch Vermet - Bankers Edge Advisory

Lunch & Deal Team Networking

Great Meal, Great Company - Areas for partners and attendees to connect 1:1 in a less-structured setting to have meaningful conversations around real deal problems

The Deal Tank Workshop

Presented by QoE Prep

No more passive listening. In this interactive working session, we will break into groups to analyze two simulated deals (1 SBA, 1 Non-SBA). You'll collaborate with our Deal Team Experts to build a strategy, draft an offer, and pitch live to a sell-side "seller," broker, and legal team to see who wins the deal.

Doing It: Operator Round Table

Presented by SMB XYZ & DealTeam

No theories here. These are real stories, lessons, and battle scars from post-acquisition life. This panel is all about operators sharing the surprises, mistakes, and lessons that come with stepping into ownership.

• Tim Wear - System Six / Snack Savvy NH

• Grant Hensel - Entrepreneurial Capital

• Joe Evangelista - Searcher now Operator

Happy Hour & Networking

• Unwind, grab a drink, and cement the connections you made throughout the day.

Ready to Get in the Room?

If you’re actively Searching—or ready to be—this is the most valuable day you’ll spend this quarter. Sign up, show up, and let’s get to work.

👉 Reserve your spot! (this will sell out).