Event Details
When:
October 22, 2026 11 AM - 6 PM EDT
Where:
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Overview
Attendees will hear from regional and national thought leaders and expert panels, as they explore current market dynamics, sector-specific trends, valuation and financing considerations, and post-transaction value creation. Set against the backdrop of Detroit’s resurgence as a hub for innovation and growth, the Summit creates a collaborative environment where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and deals begin. Whether you are actively pursuing transactions, shaping long-term growth strategies or expanding your network, you need to be at the center of today’s evolving mergers and acquisitions landscape. You need to register for The Detroit M&A Summit!
Early Bird Pricing through 9/11 - Members: $200, Non-Members: $250
Regular Pricing - Members: $250, Non-Members: $300
Featured Panels:
Building a Vertically Integrated Empire
David Trott didn't just build one of the largest specialized law firms in the country, he created a vertically integrated real estate empire. From law, title and document processing to legal publishing, residential home sales, technology, accounting and staffing services, he grew his family business from 15 employees to more than3,000 before serving in the United States Congress. In this fireside chat, David along with his longtime business and tax attorney Bill Sider, will share engaging and entertaining stories about building, buying and exiting and lessons learned during his time in Washington.

Speaker Bios - Building a Vertically Integrated Empire Panel
Buddy’s Pizza & Jax Car Wash: Iconic Detroit Roots, Bold New Chapters
Detroit has a long history of creating iconic brands, and few are more recognizable than Buddy’s Pizza and Jax Car Wash. In 1946, Gus Guerra served the first Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s Pizza, creating a culinary legacy that became synonymous with the city. Just a few years later, in 1953, Jack Milen founded Jax Car Wash, building a customer-focused business that would become a Detroit institution for generations. Today, both brands are writing exciting new chapters.
This fireside chat explores two compelling stories of transformation and growth. Learn how a group of Detroit-born entrepreneurs acquired Buddy’s Pizza with a mission to restore the quality, culture, and hometown pride that defined the brand under its founding family. Hear from Saber Ammori, one of three local investors leading Buddy’s resurgence and reconnecting the company to its Detroit roots.
At the same time, discover how TRP Capital Partners has built upon the 70-year legacy of Jax Car Wash. Hear from Jon Zimmerman, who founded Jilly's Car Wash in Milwaukee before joining Jax following its acquisition by TRP Capital. As CEO, Jon has helped expand the combined organization across Michigan and Wisconsin, while strengthening both brands. Through a focus on market density, membership growth, technology, data analytics, and a culture of accountability, he has played a key role in the company's continued expansion and operational excellence.
Together, these leaders will share insights on preserving legacy brands, driving growth through strategic investment, and modernizing iconic businesses while remaining true to the values that made them successful in the first place. This engaging conversation will provide unique insights into stewardship, brand revitalization, strategic growth, and what it takes to modernize beloved Detroit businesses while preserving the legacy that made them successful in the first place.
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Speaker Bios - Buddy's Pizza & Jax Car Wash: Iconic Detroit Roots, Bold New Chapters
THANK YOU TO OUR MICHIGAN CENTRAL SPONSOR:
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