Event Description:
Sapling was thrilled to attend the ACG M&A South Conference, which took place in Atlanta (Alpharetta), February 5th-7th. Our company has sponsored the event since 2020, and it is always a pleasure to attend.
The event, featuring 1200+ attendees, is a premier networking opportunity for participants in all facets of corporate growth and middle market deal making. Including deal makers, top private equity and mezzanine capital providers, and other professional providers from around the country. It was great catching up with everyone and making new connections.
The central theme of this year’s discussions was “cautious optimism”, with a “thawing” of the M&A activity expected in 2024. Some of the key drivers for these expectations are: (1) the continuous build-up of dry power and PE firms getting hungrier to put the capital to work, (2) and increased preparedness from seller to go back to market compared to 2023, (3) pressure from LPs to boost liquidity.
This year’ Keynote Session, “The Business of Sports: How the South is Scoring BIG!” highlighted the business and investment around sports in the south, and impact of the 2026 World Cup on Atlanta as a host city (equivalent of hosting eight Super Bowls). We’re really excited for the World Cup too, and the impact it will have on our very own city of Toronto!
