The Dealmaker’s Forum

My personal journey with ACG began more than 10 years ago when I first attended a luncheon meeting of the Boston chapter as an invited guest. From the outset, I was impressed with the quality of the speakers and the breadth and quality of the attendees. However, at that time the chapter was a relatively small organization on the Boston scene. What has happened to ACG Boston in the intervening years serves as a microcosm for what is transpiring at ACG today on a national and international scale. The chapter has grown to a diverse community of more than 800 members. It holds some 40 events a year, including three major conferences, monthly Dealmakers breakfasts, and networking events. In addition, the chapter holds regular forums geared toward buyout firms, technology companies, women executives, and emerging professionals. ACG has, in short, become a household name in the Boston business community. As a former President and Chairman of the Chapter, I like to think I had a small role in promoting that growth. However, it never would have been possible unless new members recognized the value proposition associated with ACG. As I now sit on the global board, I see the association’s value proposition expanding exponentially. The strong growth experienced in my backyard of Boston is being repeated in other chapters around the country and the world. The association boasts more than 10,000 members. Our able executive director has appeared on CNBC, CNN, and Bloomberg and the organization has been referenced in a host of business publications. ACG has quickly become a household name nationally and internationally. What is the association’s value proposition? It centers on the fact that ACG is the forum for serious players in the deals business. As a corporate partner at a global law firm whose practice focuses on M&A deals, many of them cross-border, I never cease to be amazed at the breadth and caliber of people I encounter at ACG events. Apart from direct referrals I’ve received from ACG members, it’s invaluable to be part of a community of deal professionals I can contact personally when I need a reality check on market conditions, industry trends, or new developments. I’ve found members to be incredibly helpful and generous with their time. Also, by being able to interact with corporate, private equity, intermediary, consultative, and professional members, I’ve gained useful insights as to how each examines and evaluates opportunities and risks from their unique perspective. ACG has made me much more effective as a deal professional by enabling me to bring to the negotiation table a 360-degree perspective, an appreciation of the objectives and concerns that are apt to be driving and influencing all deal participants. The organization is also an unparalleled source of timely information for those involved in the deals business. Some of that information and intelligence is imparted by speakers at ACG events. More and more of it will be available to members online. For those in the deals business, there is simply no need to go anywhere else. Den White, Partner McDermott Will & Emery ACG Boston Chapter ACG Board Member [email protected] (c) 2006 Mergers and Acquisitions Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.majournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com