NCEO Brings ESOP Feasibility to Southern California Setting
On July 14 and 15, I was joined by 24 attendees from 17 different companies in San Diego, California, at the Hotel Republic for “Is an ESOP Right for You?” It was inspiring to see such a wide array of companies engage so deeply in conversations about implementing employee ownership.
The energy in the room was fantastic, and it was clear that everyone was ready to explore the nuances of ESOPs. We delved into the intricacies of what makes an ESOP a viable option, from understanding the basics to assessing feasibility and the very real impact on employees and communities. Our expert speakers covered everything from transaction structures and assessing feasibility to plan design and operations, even sharing multi-generational ESOP stories. Attendees brought diverse perspectives that enriched the learning experience for everyone leading to plenty of “aha!” moments where they connected the dots on how employee ownership can transform a business.
I enjoyed welcoming attendees, facilitating a roundtable discussion on ESOP alternatives, and leading the Q&A/debrief session. It's important that attendees walk away with a clear understanding of the support and tools available to them as they navigate their ESOP journey. Other roundtable sessions covered essential topics like what to expect in an ESOP transaction, creative financing structures, and ESOP communications.
Connecting with everyone who attended was the real highlight. This kind of shared learning environment, where we can openly discuss the opportunities and challenges, is invaluable. It's where the real magic of the NCEO community happens: understanding that you're not alone on this path and that there are resources and peers ready to help. We thank the nine speakers and two sponsors that made this event possible.
For those of you who joined us, I hope you found the sessions as enlightening as I did. For our NCEO members, remember that your membership unlocks a wealth of resources, including our Board Excellence Toolkit and Candidate Directory, Peer Networks, and Lender Directory. For non-NCEO members, be sure to check out Who Should Own Your Business After You? and the ESOP Pre-Feasibility Toolkit and Tax Advantage Calculator.
We're always working to bring more knowledge and connection opportunities your way. If you're looking to continue your employee ownership journey, I highly recommend checking out our upcoming Forum in Philadelphia from August 27-29. I'll be facilitating a special Employee Ownership Trust workshop there.
If you're ready to join our next feasibility meeting, mark your calendars for "Is an ESOP Right for You?" in Baltimore on October 20-21. Registration, the call for speakers, and sponsorship opportunities are all available.