About this Event
Welcome to the Fall 2026 Bluemap M&A Summit
Enjoy a day filled with operating and deal insights from two business owners who founded and developed companies, exited, and pursued new challenges and opportunities. Additionally, an expert shows how executive compensation issues intersect with business transactions and transitions.
Full day registration includes the M&A program plus lunch at Thoroughbred Club of America and Keeneland racing. Morning-only attendance slots are also available.
Morning Program:
DEAN DORTON | 250 West Main Street, Suite 1500, Lexington, KY 40507 (Parking - Lexington Financial Center Garage. Fee required)
Afternoon Lunch, and Racing:
THOROUGHBRED CLUB and KEENELAND RACE COURSE | 3555 Rice Rd., Lexington, KY 40510 (Free Parking).
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM
MORNING (DEAN DORTON): Arrival | Welcome | Meet & Greet | Coffee
🕑: 09:30 AM
Opening
Host: Dennis Wells
Info: One of BLUEMAP's founders introduces the day's speakers, topics and events
🕑: 09:35 AM
What's Your Ten-Year Plan?
Host: Gwen Riley, CEO, NoviEdge
Info: Business consultant Gwen Riley began helping HVAC company owners and ended up in the industry herself. Right away, she set the ownership clock ticking. Ten years, then search for a buyer. In her case, it was a Midwestern industry leader expanding through acquisitions. Riley tells the story of her business, the exit and new horizons.
🕑: 10:15 AM
What Say The Pay? What to Know about Executive Compensation in M&A
Host: Katherine Smith, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
Info: One of the nation’s leading legal experts on executive compensation, Katherine Smith advises companies undertaking restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, as well as those going IPO. A partner at Womble Bond Dickinson and local to Lexington, she frequently speaks to groups about the topic and trends. She is a 2004 public policy graduate of the University of Kentucky and earned her JD from New York Law School in 2007.
🕑: 11:00 AM
Networking | Table Break
🕑: 11:25 AM
How a Tornado Brought Opportunity....and Other Tales of Entrepreneurship
Host: Lydia Henshaw, COO, Neece Transportation
Info: After acquiring Journey Warehousing, Lydia Henshaw improved company efficiency and doubled revenue. The next chapter unfolded surreptiously. A transportation company in the Louisville area had just purchased a trucking company and sister warehouse, which sustained severe roof damage from a tornado. That sent them searching: where could they store the goods? Henshaw explains how a chance conversation led to an introduction -- and an exceptional opportunity.
🕑: 12:10 PM - 12:15 PM
Morning Wrap-Up and Racing Tips
Host: Dennis Wells
🕑: 01:00 PM
AFTERNOON - Thoroughbred Club of America and Keeneland
Host: Keeneland
Info: Arrival at TCA, drinks (cash bar) and networking. (Business casual dress code.)
🕑: 01:30 PM
Buffet Lunch Seating
Info: Enjoy lunch in the main dining room or in the reserved second floor boardroom
🕑: 02:00 PM
Afternoon Interaction | Racing
Info: Enjoy the races and interaction at TCA (cash bar is available) or take the shuttle to Keeneland for live racing action
Event venue & nearby stays
Dean Dorton | BLUEMAP event host, 250 West Main Street, Lexington, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.