The Columbus Chamber Succession Planning Series is designed to help business owners, executives, and leadership teams approach succession with intention. Through one luncheon and a four-part workshop series, participants will gain practical guidance on increasing business value, preparing future leaders, building the right advisory team, and planning for life after transition. 

Whether you are preparing for an eventual sale, considering family transition, exploring employee ownership, or simply building a more resilient organization, this series will provide insights to help you lead with the future in mind. 

Continuing the Conversation 

A four-part workshop series for business owners and leadership teams 

Following the kickoff luncheon, the Columbus Chamber will offer a deeper workshop experience for those ready to take the next step in succession planning. Each session is built to provide practical tools, expert guidance, and actionable takeaways. 

Workshop One | Preparing for Life after Business

Before determining how to exit, it’s critical to understand what you’re exiting to. In this workshop, we will focus on defining life after business ownership—helping participants clarify personal goals, envision their next chapter, and quantify the financial resources needed to support that vision. Attendees will evaluate how their current business value compares to future lifestyle needs, identify potential gaps, and begin thinking about how those gaps could influence timing, growth strategy, and exit decisions. Participants will leave with greater clarity on their future direction and a foundation for maximizing business value in the next stage of the series.

Date: August 18, 2026, 8:00 – 9:30 AM

Workshop Two | Keys to Maximizing Business Value 

You’ve spent years building your business—how do you maximize its value when it’s time to transition? Join a panel of experts in banking, mergers and acquisitions, and law as they share practical insights into what drives business value in today’s market. From understanding different buyer profiles to improving EBITDA and quality of earnings, this discussion will highlight what buyers look for—and what raises red flags through a sales process. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance value in the next 12–24 months and position their business for a successful exit.

Date: September 22, 2026, 8:00 – 9:30 AM

Workshop Three | The 360° Exit Advisory Team 

A successful exit requires more than individual expertise—it requires coordination. In this workshop, we will focus on building a 360° exit advisory team, helping participants understand the critical roles needed and how collaboration between advisors impacts outcomes. Participants will evaluate their current advisory structure, identify gaps, and explore how misalignment can lead to lost value, increased risk, or delayed timing. Through discussion and examples, attendees will gain clarity on how to assemble and align the right team to support their goals.

Date: October 20, 2026, 8:00 – 9:30 AM

Workshop Four | Executing the Right Exit to Preserve Your Legacy

You’ve identified your goals, grown your business value, and put a team of trusted advisors together. Now, it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation. How do you execute though? In this workshop, we will explore how to evaluate and implement the right transition strategy for your business, employees, family, and personal financial goals. Participants will compare family succession, ESOPs, and third-party sales; discuss how transaction structure, taxes, and timing affect overall outcomes; and learn how to prepare leadership and stakeholders for a successful transition. The session will also examine the key drivers behind successful and unsuccessful ownership transitions, helping attendees move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Date: November 17, 2026, 8:00 – 9:30 AM