Succeeding at Succession 2026

Succession planning is about more than determining the next leader of a family business; it’s about setting a foundation for protecting the family’s legacy even as the torch passes to the next generation.  It can be a difficult and emotional process, making it challenging to know where to begin.

This program has been built on experience, best practices, and practical steps, and will guide you in developing a path toward a successful succession plan.

Program Details: In partnership with Family Business Consulting Group, this program will help you identify and implement a plan to Succeed at Succession. It is designed to give participants an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, apply these lessons to their own situations, and create a path forward for the family and the business. 

The curriculum for the program will be addressed throughout three sessions, from 8:30am - 12:00pm on the following days:

• February 17, 2026 

• March 18, 2026

• April 23, 2026

View the full curriculum here.

Who should attend: Current and future leaders of your family business enterprise. It is helpful to have both generations attend but not required.

Areas of focus include: 

• Understanding the roles of owner, board member and leader and how they relate to each other
• Creating or updating family vision, values and expectations for business enterprise performance including growth, risk, profit, and liquidity
• The value of a Buy/Sell agreement in valuing, gifting and transacting
• Effective family and business governance structures and processe
• Helping the next generation of all ages learn about business in general as well as the family business specifically, discover their interests and prepare for a successful career
• The challenges of the now generation letting go and the next generation grabbing on and how those challenges can be successfully met
• Identifying and developing future leadership including family and non-family members
• The role of owners who are not otherwise involved in the family enterprise
• Ownership succession and estate planning considerations

Attendees must commit to completing the preparation and attending all three sessions in-person at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

To provide a highly customized and practical experience that addresses your specific succession needs, the group size will be limited to 12 – 15 family businesses.