Blank Rome partner Michael S. Swoyer will serve as a Host Committee member and panel moderator at Smart Business Dealmakers Conference Philadelphia, being held at the Union League of Philadelphia on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a cocktail reception to follow.

The conference connects thousands of local dealmakers—from middle-market chief executive officers to top investors and lenders to leading mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) advisers. With sessions ranging from raising capital to buying and selling companies to alternative asset investing, it covers the breadth of the M&A landscape.

Michael’s session, “Ready for the Market: How to Position Your Business for What Comes Next,” will take place from 2:00 to 2:40 p.m.

ABOUT THE SESSION

Whether you’re raising capital, acquiring another company, exploring a joint venture, or preparing for a partial or full sale, one thing is constant: how you show up to the market matters. From tightening your financials and clarifying your story to building a flexible deal structure and assembling the right team, this session will unpack how preparation drives leverage—no matter the deal type. Hear from investors, buyers, and operators about what they look for and how proactive planning shapes better outcomes on both sides of the table.

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Michael Swoyer, Partner, Blank Rome
  • Gregory Donecker, Owner & President, Kemper Equipment
  • Bryan Redding, Senior Consultant, RKL LLP
  • William Rottschaefer, VP of Corporate Development, Kelvin Group

Other conference sessions include:

  • Strategic Growth Through Conventional (and Unconventional) Deals: From Hidden Gems to Wins
  • Sell-Side Options: Is an ESOP the Right Exit Strategy?
  • Taking Chips Off the Table or Funding Growth—Exploring Alternatives for Achieving Liquidity
  • Your Next Deal: Asset or Liability? How Smart Tax Planning Prevents Costly Pre-Close Surprises
  • Transition in Motion: Succession, Exit, and What Comes After
  • 360 of a Deal

The conference will also feature the Dealmakers of the Year Awards Presentation, the Dealmakers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and several networking sessions.

Blank Rome LLP is proud to be a Supporting Sponsor of the conference.

For more information and to register, please visit the event webpage.