The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) Raleigh-Durham Chapter is set to host its annual Raleigh-Durham Owners Forum on September 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Durham, North Carolina. This half-day event is designed for business owners and exit planning professionals, focusing on strategies to grow stronger, more valuable, and more transferable businesses.
The forum will feature presentations from experts in exit planning, panels with local business owners, and an interactive case study. Todd Bailey, President of EPI Raleigh-Durham, emphasized the event's core philosophy: "good exit planning is good business strategy." He noted that the forum provides a unique opportunity for local exit planning professionals to hear directly from owners in the community and explore ways to help owners accelerate business value and reduce risk.
Business owner attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how growth strategy and value creation work together. They will develop practical next steps for improving business value and preparing for eventual leadership transitions. For exit planning professionals—including financial advisors, business consultants, and others—the forum offers unfiltered perspectives from local North Carolina business owners, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities owners face.
The event is exclusive to EPI chapter members and their business owner guests, fostering an intimate environment for meaningful dialogue and networking. The forum is part of EPI's broader mission to educate and resource professional advisors, helping them better serve business owners. EPI was established in 2005 and offers the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential program, which is recognized as the most widely endorsed professional exit planning program globally. The program equips advisors with the content, tools, and training needed to engage business owners and become their most valued advisors.
This year's forum comes at a time when many business owners are reevaluating their long-term strategies, especially in the wake of economic uncertainties. By focusing on value creation and risk reduction, the event aims to equip owners with actionable insights to enhance their businesses' marketability and ensure smooth transitions when the time comes. For the industry, such forums highlight the growing importance of exit planning as a critical component of business strategy, not just an end-of-career consideration.
Attendees will leave with a clearer roadmap for their business's future, whether they are planning to sell, pass the business to family, or continue growing with new leadership. The interactive case study will allow participants to apply concepts in real-world scenarios, reinforcing the practical value of the event. By connecting business leaders with seasoned advisors, the forum strengthens the local business ecosystem and promotes a culture of proactive planning.
For more information about the EPI Raleigh-Durham Chapter and the upcoming Owners Forum, interested parties can visit the Exit Planning Institute's website.
