The Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors® Announces Summer Conference: “What’s Next? Creating Value & Deals in Today’s Economy,” July 28-30, 2009

Business Wire, June 16, 2009

Semi-Annual Meeting to Feature Enhanced Transaction Exchange, with Private Equity Expo and Deal Bash Events

CHICAGO -- The Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors® (AM&AA), the leading association and credentialing body for middle market M&A professionals, will hold the association’s largest semi-annual meeting ever, July 28-30, 2009, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

The event will feature two full days of education from industry experts on issues related to the current financial climate. In addition, the conference will include an enhanced and extended, day-long Transaction Exchange. Hundreds of leading intermediaries, investment bankers, attorneys, private equity professionals, CPA’s, business advisory firms and corporate development professionals are expected to participate.

“Since its founding 11 years ago, AM&AA has provided its members with superior educational value, including the ability to earn recognized credentials, such as our Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor® (CM&AA) credential. These programs provide our members with the necessary certifications to excel in the transactional advisory business and achieve the highest recognized standards of professional excellence,” said Michael Nall, Founder of AM&AA. “With the new and extended Transaction Exchange at our Summer Conference, we are now also offering our attendees an efficient, well-organized platform where buyers and sellers of businesses can meet, to find and complete deals. As the economy continues to rebound, I expect to see much private equity capital put to work at our summer conference, July 28-30.”

The conference is priced to be attractive to lower middle-market dealmakers who want to attend for either one or two days. Significant savings on conference fees are available for registrants who sign-up before June 27, 2009. Visit www.amaaonline.org to register today.

Conference speakers and panelists include William Testa and William Mark from the Federal Reserve Bank, Dr. Kai Lucks of the German Federation M&A Association, and Bob Berland, two-time Olympic competitor, family business owner and member of the 2016 Chicago Olympic Bid Committee. In addition, several panels comprised of industry experts will delve into topics such as due diligence, deal sourcing and structuring, the current debt markets and valuations.

The latest data and stats from PitchBook on middle market dealmaking will also be announced and available at the conference, following up on AM&AA and PitchBook’s June 2 announcement that US Private Equity Overhang Reached $400 Billion.

“This conference has been carefully crafted by a committee of leading intermediaries and deal pros to supply the most pertinent information and potential for deal generation to anyone operating in the lower middle market,” said Matt Hawkins, AM&AA Conference Chairman, and Director, Alliance Equity. “Nowhere else will middle market M&A professionals find the convenient combination of idea exchange among peers paired with the ability to network and source deals.”

The Transaction Exchange will feature a full day of networking between private equity professionals and intermediaries on Thursday, July 30th. That afternoon, the AM&AA is pleased to host the first-ever “Deal Bash,” with intermediaries and investment bankers presenting transaction opportunities. Opportunities of all types will be showcased as deal makers meet with private equity and mezzanine players in this highly interactive, efficient exchange.

“The Deal Bash is an exciting new addition which is certain to become a fundamental part of AM&AA and middle market dealmaking in general,” said Mike Adhikari, AM&AA President, and President and Owner of Illinois Corporate Investments, Inc. and Business ValueXpress. “AM&AA brings together leading intermediaries from all around the world. We are giving them a place to meet with private equity firms and other potential buyers to get deals done, something essential in today’s market.”

To view the AM&AA Summer Conference Brochure, please click here, or visit www.amaaonline.org.

About AM&AA

The AM&AA is the leading association and credentialing body for middle market M&A professionals. Our leadership and people have unrivalled multidisciplinary expertise in the financial services industry. AM&AA members represent sellers and buyers of businesses ranging from $5 to $500 million in transaction value. Their services are seller representation, buyer representation, due diligence, accounting financing, business valuation, tax planning legal, strategic, other advisory and transaction services. The AM&AA offers members a solid platform for professional collaboration.