Join Us for the 4th Annual Business Owner Forum, Presented by the Exit Planning Institute
Mark your calendar. What began in 2023 as a small experiment in bringing business owners in SouthEast Michigan together for honest, pressure-free, and discreet conversation around exiting their business one day has grown into the event this community looks forward to every fall.
Each year has built on the last, and 2026 is shaping up to be our best Business Owner Forum yet!
The Details
Where: Orchard Lake Country Club, 5000 W Shore Dr, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48324
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hosted by: SE Michigan Exit Planning Institute Chapter
As a business owner, you carry a lot alone. You built your company through long hours and hard decisions, and at some point you'll have to start thinking seriously about what comes next, whether that's a sale, a transition to new leadership, or simply running a stronger business today. This forum exists to give you a room full of people who understand exactly that: fellow owners who've been where you are, and the advisers who serve them.
As always, there are no name tags and no mandatory meet-and-greets.
Come as a business owner on your own or bring an adviser as your guest. Professional advisers are welcome, but only when accompanied by a business owner, since the content is built for owners first.
This Year's Keynote: Kelly Knight
We're excited to welcome Kelly Knight as this year's keynote speaker. Kelly has served as an Integrator at EOS Worldwide since 2016, working directly with eleven different Visionaries over the course of her career. Before joining EOS, she spent more than two decades building teams and leading organizations in financial services. She's a University of Michigan graduate and credits her father with teaching her, early on, how to take an idea and turn it into something real.
Kelly is also the author of People, and she'll be bringing that expertise directly into the room with us. Because every owner has had that moment when something feels off with the team—but it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why. Kelly will introduce a simple, practical tool to help identify who is thriving, who may be stuck, and where the real issue may lie.
Her session will be part teaching and part open Q&A, so come with your own business in mind. Bring the question about your team that's been keeping you up at night. The goal is to leave with greater clarity and a practical next step you can put to work when you get back to the office.
Learn more about Kelly on her LinkedIn profile page.
What to Expect
We've arrived at this format over the past three years based on what owners tell us works, and this year is no exception. Hot breakfast and networking kick off the morning, followed by Kelly's workshop-style keynote. From there, expect an insightful panel where the people in the room share what actually worked (and what didn't), a fireside chat with an owner who is taking the best lessons from private equity to build his own company, and a closing session that's become a forum tradition: 5 x 5 x 5, five professionals with five minutes each to leave you with five actionable ideas.
Why It's Worth Your Morning
Whether you're years away from an exit or actively weighing your options right now, this forum is built to give you a new perspective. You'll hear from professional advisers who have dedicated their careers to working with people like you and business owners who might only be a few steps ahead of you on their own journey. You'll walk away with practical ideas you can actually use, not just good vibes.
If you attended in years past, you already know what this morning is worth. If you haven't joined us yet, this is the year to change that.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this forum for?
It’s built for business owners in Southeast Michigan, whether you’re years away from an exit, actively weighing your options, or simply want to run a stronger business today.
When and where is it?
Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Orchard Lake Country Club, 5000 W Shore Dr, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48324.
Can I bring my adviser?
Yes. Owners are welcome to come on their own or bring an adviser as a guest. Professional advisers can attend only when accompanied by a business owner, since the content is designed for owners first.
Will I be put on the spot or pressured to network?
No. There are no name tags and no mandatory meet-and-greets. The forum is meant to be honest, pressure-free, and discreet.
Who is the keynote speaker?
Kelly Knight, an EOS Integrator since 2016 who has worked with eleven Visionaries and spent more than 20 years leading teams in financial services. She is also the author of People.
What will the keynote cover?
Kelly will share a simple, practical tool for spotting who on your team is thriving, who may be stuck, and where the real issue might be. The session is part teaching and part open Q&A, so bring a team question you’ve been wrestling with.
What does the rest of the morning look like?
Hot breakfast and networking, Kelly’s workshop-style keynote, a panel on what has and hasn’t worked for owners, a fireside chat with an owner applying private equity lessons to his own company, and the closing “5 x 5 x 5” session: five professionals, five minutes each, five actionable ideas.
What will I walk away with?
Practical ideas you can put to work right away, plus fresh perspective from advisers and from owners who may be just a few steps ahead of you.
Thinking of
Selling Your Business?
Thinking about your own exit one day?
The owners who sell well start years early. Let's talk about yours.
The FieldReady™ Scorecard
The FieldReady™ Scorecard is a 20-point diagnostic across the four areas buyers evaluate first.
It takes about five minutes to complete and gives you a clear picture of where your business stands today, and what's worth improving before any transition conversation begins.
