By Published On: December 4, 2018

The 29th M&A Worldwide Rainmaker MIAMI Summit, held November 15-16 in Miami Beach’s famous Art Deco District on South Beach, included 112 people from 22 countries, including:

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

The MIAMI Summit united corporate deal makers from across the globe, stimulating discussion around ongoing transactions, as well as the latest trends in research, deal software, and process management.

All the bankers thoroughly enjoyed the convention, everyone learned a great deal, and many productive connections were made—producing outstanding results for all involved. There were 102 pre-scheduled speed dates between MAWW bankers and representatives from 18 guest companies who are actively pursuing international M&A opportunities. Brief excerpts from the event’s popular keynote speaker, Stuart Diamond, follow.

M&A WORLDWIDE, established in 2004, is a global network of M&A advisory firms from 45 countries comprised of high-quality advisory firms with proven skills and track records in both domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. All members are closely linked in a global alliance to advise clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, capital raising, and other strategic partnerships.

Douglas E. Rodgers, FOCUS Chairman Emeritus, served as CEO and Managing Partner from 2001 until late 2018. During his time as CEO, he led the firm’s growth from one office in Washington, DC, to three offices across the US. He has C-level management experience in software, aerospace, e-commerce, manufacturing and distribution, real estate and construction, serving both commercial and government clients. He has served FOCUS clients across many industries emphasizing merger and acquisitions opportunities. As FOCUS Chairman he currently develops and manages relationships with strategic partners and clients. Before joining FOCUS Mr. Rodgers served as the President and CEO of Corcentric, Inc, an e-commerce services provider spin off from Litton Enterprise Solutions. As the first CEO of the company, he raised both venture and debt capital and led the company to achieve 500,000 electronic transactions annually with a transaction volume of $180 million, including over 30 Fortune 1000 trading partners. As CEO of Global Software Corporation, which served the government public safety market, Mr. Rodgers raised venture and debt capital, guided the development of initial software products and sales to reference clients. As President and CEO of Perfection Equipment Company, a distributor and manufacturer of industrial goods to the oilfield services and transportation industry, he was instrumental in the merger and IPO into a NYSE industry consolidation play. Mr. Rodgers is also a founding director of a National Bank and a manufacturing company. Prior to Perfection Equipment, he was Vice President of business development for a $150 million real estate developer. Mr. Rodgers is a pilot, with ATP and jet ratings, a BS in Aerospace Engineering and MBA coursework. He was educated at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of Kansas; he has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization, (YPO) since 1988, served as the president of the Oklahoma City Chapter in 1996, and is currently a member of the Washington Baltimore YPO Gold chapter.