November 1-3, 2022 Amelia Island, Florida

ACG Capital Connections hosted an event for middle-market M&A professionals. 700 investors, lenders, lawyers, accountants and investment bankers represented the strong attendance.

Woodbridge International was a sponsor of the event at the Ritz Carlton.
“Both Investment Banks and Private Equity Groups were bullish on the markets and were not seeing any signs of a slowdown in their portfolio companies, stated Pat Laliberte, Closer at Woodbridge International. Private Equity groups were getting ready to begin their fund-raising efforts for 2023.”

Among the speakers was Linda Sherrer, Founder and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Home Services Florida. Linda pointed out while increasing interest rates have cooled the real estate market, the inordinately strong market in 2021 was an aberration. Long term she remains bullish on real estate owing to demographics and a shortage of supply in the market.

The strong attendance highlighted the fact that there is ample “dry powder” in Private Equity Groups that needs to be deployed to acquire middle market companies. Both Investment Bankers and Private Groups agreed that despite headlines forecasting a recession, the majority of their clients and portfolio companies are performing well.