AND WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Recently, a potential searcher asked me whether it was worth it to go to an EtA conference, and if so, which ones? I have to say, while I’m stuffing my suitcase for yet another flight from Hawaii to a mainland conference, I often find myself questioning the relentless hustle. The thought of braving long queues, uncomfortable seats, unmasked coughing passengers, and engaging in countless conversations, especially as an introvert, feels exhausting. But in the end, this travel is undeniably worth it.

5 REASONS TO GO

1. 1. 1:1 Contact: Imagine having the chance to discuss your plans to be a CEO over coffee or cocktails with a leading investor or a successful operator. The search fund niche is just small enough to allow these impactful 1:1 interactions. Even brief encounters can lead to ongoing support and advice if you ask the right questions. You can also seek 1:1 meetings following the conference.
   2. Trends: The ecosystem is moving quickly. Panelists at these conferences share emerging trends and data points way ahead of their publication on social media or other outlets. In my experience, this early insight has often confirmed anecdotes that I hear or my EtA Launch Hub fellows stay ahead of the curve.
   3. Practice: Unless you have experience in Sales, it takes considerable practice to introduce yourself to community members as a searcher. We work on developing this introduction in my courses. But whatever you might say at home always morphs and changes as you get feedback in real life. Conferences provide a fantastic opportunity to refine your pitch, with quick, repeated feedback from 50 to 100 people in just a few days.
   4. Learning: After nine years in this space, I learn more at some conferences than others, but I always learn something that I can bring back to the EtA Launch Hub. So, I believe most searchers will take away some valuable nuggets or tips from most conferences.
   5. Motivation: Entrepreneurship is a lonely endeavor. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your ambitions and having the support of those who want to see you succeed can be incredibly motivating. It’s a reminder that you’re not in this alone.

FOUR CONFERENCES TO CONSIDER

Searchers in the early stages tend to exuberantly go to every conference everywhere. After a while, doing the circuit of conferences can start to feel like a way for an aspiring searcher to avoid making a decision about whether to search or not. Thus, I recommend selecting 2 or so conferences spaced out during the year. Here are some conferences to consider based on my personal experience. If you disagree, please share your preferences to aid other searchers.

• Your Alma Mater: Whether it’s your undergraduate or graduate school, attending their conferences is crucial. Not only does it show your support, but it also offers networking opportunities with investors, deal sources, and service providers who automatically “get” you.
  • I have found that the first year of a conference tends to be “What is a Search Fund?” Once student organizers get past that initial year, the conferences increase in content helpful for active searchers.
  • I can’t resist putting in a plug for my undergrad alma mater, MIT. I love the diversity they bring to their panelists and the topics, how they incorporate the local Boston community outside the school into the programming, and the overall educational focus of the panels to help make the searchers more effective than when they arrived at the conference. I hope the new leadership will continue in that trend.
• Harvard Conference: Admittedly, I have a bias as a Stanford GSB graduate, but Harvard Business School hosts a conference well worth attending. This conference has the size to offer multiple tracks so that new aspirants, active searchers, and SMB operators can truly learn and engage with thought leaders about their particular sticking points. There has been a wide span of investors attending, especially traditional investors that I sometimes don’t see at other conferences.
• Self-Funded Search Conference: Hosted by the Self-Funded Search Association and backed by SIG, Live Oak Bank, and other select sponsors, this conference runs an EtA conference format with plenty to learn from experienced searchers and operators on Saturday, and a Bootcamp-style format on Sunday—perfect for deep-dive learning for more advanced searchers. I also appreciate the focus on a single model, which allows for greater depth, given the divergent experiences between traditional and self-funded searchers.
• Regional Conferences: There used to be just 3 or 4 conferences a year. Now, there seems to be multiple conferences every month during the academic cycle. I finished conference season exhausted one year, like a jalopy with the wheels about to fall off, sputtering out of gas. Given that most business operators and service providers have only one person or perhaps two at most to represent them, I am sure many other long-timers have felt the same way. So, I believe that proliferating more and more conferences does a disservice to the students and other attendees who are seeking to launch their search.
  • Regional conferences similar to Booth-Kellogg or SEETA are the solution. A couple of years ago, MIT collaborated with NEETA. I hope that effort revives. The main hurdle for regional conferences seems to be students organizing themselves and working across different institutions. These are all useful leadership learnings that would serve any MBA graduate well no matter what career path they choose. I have especially been hoping for a regional conference in the West. Because Stanford GSB focuses on Search CEO Operators every two years, this leaves a tremendous opportunity for another university or organization to take up the banner.
  • Internationally, IESE’s International Search Fund Conference brings together aspiring searchers from beyond North America. When I attended in 2022, I was impressed by the conference’s exceptional organization and the dynamic atmosphere. The  content was focused on the international experience and mostly driven by the needs of traditional searchers and their investors. And, of course, there’s the added bonus of being in Barcelona!

Conclusion

Traveling to these conferences may sound daunting, but the benefits far outweigh the effort. Your growth as an acquisition entrepreneur, the connections you build, and the insights you gain make it all worthwhile.

If you’d like to delve deeper into this topic, feel free to book an appointment with me.