The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) Raleigh-Durham Chapter will 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. This half-day event is designed to help business owners understand how to grow a stronger, more valuable, and more transferable business, with a focus on the integration of growth strategy and value creation.
According to Todd Bailey, President of EPI Raleigh-Durham, the forum is built around the concept that "good exit planning is good business strategy." The event will feature presentations from exit planning experts, panels with local business owners, and an interactive case study, providing attendees with both strategic insights and practical next steps.
Business owner attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to improve business value and prepare for eventual leadership transition. For exit planning professionals—including financial advisors and business consultants—the forum offers a unique opportunity to hear unfiltered perspectives from North Carolina business owners, helping them better serve their clients.
The event is exclusive to EPI chapter members and their business owner guests. Those interested can learn more about the forum and the chapter on the EPI website.
The Exit Planning Institute, established in 2005, provides professional business advisors with educational resources and tools. Its Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential program is widely recognized as the leading professional exit planning program globally, equipping advisors with the knowledge to become trusted partners to business owners.
This forum underscores the growing importance of exit planning as a proactive business strategy, rather than a reactive event at the end of a business owner's career. By focusing on value creation and risk reduction, the event aims to shift the conversation from "selling the business" to "building a business that is ready for any future transition."
For business owners, the implications are significant: understanding exit planning early can lead to higher business valuations, smoother leadership transitions, and better outcomes for all stakeholders. For advisors, the forum provides direct access to the challenges and concerns of local owners, allowing them to tailor their services effectively.
The Raleigh-Durham Owners Forum represents a collaborative effort to bridge the gap between business strategy and exit readiness, reinforcing the idea that a well-planned exit is a sign of strong business management. As the business landscape evolves, such initiatives are crucial for ensuring that owners are not only prepared for the unexpected but also positioned to maximize the value they have built.
