NC Employee Ownership Conference to Help Business Owners and Advisors Explore Succession Planning, 

Legacy Preservation, and Employee Ownership

RALEIGH, NC - As thousands of business owners across North Carolina approach retirement age, many are facing one of the most important decisions of their careers: what happens to the business after they step away?

To help address that question, the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) will host the NC Employee Ownership Conference on September 16, 2026, at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This one-day conference will bring together business owners, attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, consultants, lenders, economic developers, and business support professionals to explore succession planning strategies and employee ownership models that can help preserve businesses, protect jobs, and strengthen local economies.

Employee ownership has emerged as a powerful tool for business succession, offering alternatives to traditional sales or closures. Conference attendees will learn about Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), Worker Cooperatives, and other ownership transition models that can help business owners create intentional plans for the future.

"North Carolina is home to thousands of successful businesses whose owners will eventually transition into retirement," said Illa Burbank, Executive Director of the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center. "Our goal is to ensure business owners and their advisors understand the full range of options available to them. Employee ownership can provide a pathway that preserves a company's legacy, rewards employees, and keeps businesses rooted in the communities they serve."

The conference will feature industry experts, experienced advisors, business owners, and employee-owned companies sharing practical insights and real-world experiences. Participants will gain actionable knowledge, build valuable connections, and learn strategies they can immediately apply within their organizations and client relationships.

The event is designed for:

• Business owners planning for succession, retirement, or future growth

• Attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and consultants

• Economic developers and community leaders

• Lenders and business support organizations

• Anyone interested in the future of business ownership in North Carolina

Event Information

NC Employee Ownership Conference 2026
September 16, 2026 9 am-5 pm

McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman Street Raleigh, NC 27606

$25 REGISTRATION

About Give It To The People

Give It To The People is a Durham-based business development and event curation company that creates conferences, summits, professional development experiences, and ecosystem-building initiatives that connect entrepreneurs, business owners, and business support organizations across North Carolina. Through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and community-centered events, Give It To The People helps people build stronger businesses, stronger networks, and stronger communities.

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