Around the Pacific Northwest: Family Business Events You Won’t Want to Miss

Davis Wright Tremaine is proud to be involved in many events in our community, in order to foster a substantial network and show support of our peers. Not only do we plan multiple family business events to gather leaders in the industry within our own offices, but we are also involved in many other events and speaking opportunities around town. The coming summer months are bursting with events that highlight the ins-and-outs of family business needs.  

June 7, 2016 | Family Business Succession: Transitioning to Sibling & Cousin Generations | Seattle, WA

Ivan Lansberg, Ph.D., an international speaker and Academic Director of the Family Enterprise Executive Programs at the Kellogg School of Management, will guide participants in this day-long event that focuses on the success factors for effectively transitioning from the first to second, and second to third generations.

•     Explore practical ways to address real issues facing family businesses
•     Develop a clear action plan tailored for your family business
•     Network with other family business owners facing similar transition issues

Dr. Lansberg is an engaging speaker and facilitator who will share stories, case examples, and best practices for family business continuity and success. He will emphasize best practices, impart practical ideas and examples for effective transition, and share tips for preparing for the challenges of generational transition in business ownership and family leadership. Each participant will leave with a plan for facilitating smoother succession within the family business. Davis Wright Tremaine is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s event.

June 7, 2016 | Farm to Label | Portland, OR

Davis Wright Tremaine’s Farm to Label event is now in its fourth year.  Farm to Label, a dynamic food and beverage business summit, is a meeting place for leaders in the food and beverage industry from all sectors to present, network, and learn about the industry.

A number of impressive panels will bring their first-hand experiences to all in attendance. One panel, titled “(Not) All In The Family” is moderated by our very own Drew Steen. This panel will discuss the best practices for the delicate and important role of leading non-family executives in family-owned food and agricultural businesses. Panelists include: Dirk Davis, CEO, Sunshine Dairy; Art Anderson, General Manager/COO, J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.; and Miles Kohl, CEO, Allan Brothers Inc.

June 16, 2016 | Association of Washington Business Succession Planning Events | Spokane and Olympia, WA

Kristofer Gray, CFP® and Paul Hajek and a  panel of experts will examine many of the common challenges affecting business owners on the subject of succession and estate planning.  They will review the landscape of options and describe how to develop a thoughtful process to address all issues surrounding the most important phase of your business life – the phase where you cannot afford to make any mistakes.  The process will maximize the value of the business, minimize the tax burden of the transition, and help you create the legacy you desire.

This event will cover a number of methodologies and opportunities involved in the transition process, including:

•     Transfer to next generation (family succession)
•     Management buyout (leveraged or unleveraged)
•     Sale to existing partners
•     Sale to employees (ESOP)
•     Sale to third party
•     Recapitalization
•     IPO (uncommon for mid-market companies)
•     Orderly liquidation

Speakers for this event include Family Business Resource Center authors, Keith G. Baldwin (Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) and Matthew Loftin (Attorney, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP). Additional members of the panel will be Dan Gaffney of Moss Adams, LLP, Dan Lundeberg of US Bank, Loren Wendgerd of Living Well Family Office, and Steve Hilbert of Cornerstone IDF Services.

The June 16th event will be held at Greater Spokane Incorporated (801 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane, WA).

A similar program will be presented in Olympia, Washington on July 7th. Stay tuned for more details on this program, coming soon.

For more information or to register, click here.

  We look forward to seeing you at these events and more in the future!