Is an ESOP Right for You? | Savannah

This event is a two-day educational workshop that brings together business owners considering an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) as a succession strategy, along with ESOP experts and advisors who provide insights on structuring transactions, tax implications, and the operational realities of employee ownership.

Hear from a member of our NCEO community on their decision to sell to their employees. 

Attendees learn about the ESOP model through presentations, Q&A sessions, and peer discussions with other business owners exploring similar transition options.

Sessions early in the program focus on the foundations of ESOPs. As the workshop progresses, sessions dive deeper into the details of what a transition could look like for your specific company, with more advanced technical considerations.

"This is one of the best conferences I've attended that lived up to its purpose...it was all about learning! I felt like I got my money's worth, and good contacts were made."

Registration is OPEN!

We can't wait to learn with you at the beautiful Marriott Savannah Riverfront. 

All meeting registrations must be prepaid. Registration is exclusive to companies considering an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).*

*Service providers will be canceled and refunded.

Learn Together 

Interested in bringing your entire leadership team? Groups of three or more will save $40/per person. 

Please renew your membership prior to registering. This will ensure you get access to the best rate. 

Pricing

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration at any time and receive a refund, minus an administrative fee of $100.00 per person, until December 7, 2026, at 12 a.m. After December 7, if you wish to cancel, you will receive a refund, minus an administrative fee of $175.00 per person, until January 4, 2027, at 12 a.m. After January 4, no refunds or credits will be given.

Help Business Owners Plan Their Next Chapter

This workshop brings together CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who are exploring what comes next for their companies. We're looking for speakers who can help them understand how employee stock ownership plans work, what the transition involves, and how employee ownership shapes a company's future.

Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026

Who We're Looking to Hear From

• Owners and executives who have completed an ESOP transition
• ESOP advisors, attorneys, valuation professionals, trustees, and lenders
• Employee-owners and leaders who can speak to ownership culture

Suggested Topics

• Introduction to Employee Ownership
• Employee-Owned Company Storytelling
• Plan Design and Operation
• Determining Stock Value
• Financing an ESOP
• Building Your ESOP Transaction Team
• Alternatives to an ESOP
• Investing the 1042 "Rollover"
• Fiduciary Issues
• Working with an ESOP Quarterback

Benefits of Speaking

• Share your knowledge and experience with employee-owners
• Gain exposure, brand awareness, and lead generation
• Create engaging and enriching content
• Lead one dedicated agenda session
• Guide one dedicated roundtable on the topic of your choice

Submit Your Proposal

Connect With Leaders Planning Their Next Move

This workshop gathers CEOs, founders, presidents, and senior executives who are seriously considering the future of their businesses. Sponsoring this event puts your organization in the room with decision-makers at the moment they're looking for trusted guidance. It's a chance to support business owners, share your expertise, and build relationships that last well beyond the workshop.

Why Sponsor?

• Reach a focused audience of owners and executives evaluating succession and sale options
• Position your firm as a knowledgeable resource on employee ownership
• Build meaningful connections through networking and face-to-face conversations
• Show your support for a community that strengthens businesses and the people who build them

Sponsorship Benefits

• Logo placement on the event website, signage, and attendee materials
• Recognition during the workshop program
• Branded presence on-site
• Complimentary registrations for your team 

Click this link to Sponsor This Workshop

Want to talk to someone directly about sponsorship opportunities? Email mlianos@nceo.org.

Event Location

Reservation Details

Hotel Booking Link Coming Soon!

The event will take place at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. 

Ready to dive in? Use the additional resources from the NCEO below to learn more about employee ownership prior to the event.

1. An Introduction to ESOPs: This concise book explains the rules, uses, benefits, and other aspects of ESOPs.

2. ESOP Pre-Feasibility Toolkit and Tax Advantage Calculator: The NCEO has developed the Pre-Feasibility Toolkit as a collection of resources to help you determine if an ESOP is right for you and, if so, what steps to take next.

3. The ESOP Pre-Feasibility Calculator: An interactive tool to explore the ins and outs of an ESOP transaction for you or your clients

4. The ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator: The ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator, developed by Employee Benefits Law Group, illustrates some of the tax benefits afforded to ESOPs. Its purpose is to display what the potential tax benefits of an ESOP may be to the company and to the selling shareholder(s).

1. Day 1 Day 1: Tuesday, February 23
2. Day 2 Day 2: Wednesday, February 24

Coming Soon!