Agenda

Agenda

The 2026 Great Lakes Capital Connection® (GLCC) will bring together middle-market dealmakers for two days of programming, networking, and DealSource opportunities focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and corporate growth.

The conference will feature keynote conversations, panel discussions, curated networking, and live deal presentations connecting investment banks, private equity groups, family offices, lenders, and strategic buyers.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

• 4:00–6:30 PM | Early Registration Check-In 
• 5:00–7:00 PM | Early Arrivals Mixer 

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

• 6:30 AM | Run Club 
• 8:00 AM | Registration Check-In Opens 
• 8:00 AM | Exhibit Hall Opens 
• 8:30–9:30 AM | Grab & Go Breakfast 
• 9:00 AM | General Meetings & DealSource Lounges Open
• 10:00–11:00 AM | Breakout Session
• 11:30 AM–1:00 PM | Keynote Lunch & Fireside Chat featuring Graham Rahal
• 1:30–4:30 PM | Breakout Session
• 4:30-5:00 PM  | YACG Champagne Toast
• 4:30–6:00 PM | Welcome Reception

Thursday, September 10, 2026

• 8:00–9:30 AM | Breakfast Keynote hosted by ACG Women in Transactions (WiT), featuring Amy Brown
• 8:00 AM | Exhibit Hall Opens 
• 8:00 AM | General Meetings & DealSource Lounges Open
• 12:00 PM | GLCC 2026 Concludes

Additional breakout session details and panelists will be announced soon.

Featured Speakers

Graham Rahal | Keynote Speaker

INDYCAR Series Driver & President, Graham Rahal Performance

Wednesday, September 9 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM

We're excited to welcome Graham Rahal, INDYCAR Series driver and President of Graham Rahal Performance, as the Keynote Speaker for GLCC 2026!

Known for his success on and off the track, Graham has built a career around performance, leadership, and strategic growth. As both a professional race car driver and business executive, he brings a unique perspective on competition, innovation, teamwork, and building successful organizations.

Join us as Graham shares lessons from the racetrack and the boardroom, offering insights that will resonate with dealmakers, investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs alike.

Amy Brown | Breakfast Speaker

Founder & CEO, Authenticx

Thursday, September 10 | 8:00–9:30 AM

We're excited to welcome Amy Brown, Founder and CEO of Authenticx, as our Breakfast Speaker at the 2026 Great Lakes Capital Connection®!

Amy founded Indianapolis-based Authenticx in 2018 with a mission to bring the authentic voice of the customer into the boardroom. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare, health insurance, and operations, Amy is a recognized leader at the intersection of AI, customer experience, healthcare, and business transformation.

Under her leadership, Authenticx has pioneered what Amy calls "listening AI," using technology to turn millions of customer conversations into actionable insights that drive meaningful change.

Hosted by ACG Women in Transactions (WiT), this breakfast will feature Amy sharing insights from her journey as a founder, CEO, and innovator.