Is there a formula for sustaining business success for 100 years?
     Internationally renowned family business consultant Ernesto Poza believes there is.  He’s spent two decades traveling the globe examining the secrets and success strategies of family-owned companies that have endured a century or more.
     He’ll share the details of his findings and discuss best practices with successful local family business owners at a special appearance Thursday, October 22 at the Hyatt Regency Louisville.
     His Louisville appearance is presented by the University of Louisville Family Business Center (FBC), its Strategic Partners and event sponsors. 

     Poza, professor of Global Family Enterprise at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, will present “Learn from Your Predecessors’ Mistakes and Successes: Success Strategies of 100-year-old Family Firms.”  Attendees will discover how leading family firms manage the thorny issues of succession planning, governance, growth, sibling rivalries, compensation and more. Poza also will participate in a panel discussion with owners of Louisville-area family-owned businesses that have reached the century mark. 
     Poza’s findings have been the topic of books and a popular presentation for professional organizations, business forums and universities. He is a featured commentator on family business issues on network TV news and NPR’s Marketwatch, and his columns have been published in BusinessWeek, Fortune Small Business and The New York Times.
     According to FBC Director Kathleen Hoye, Poza’s message is especially relevant considering the odds facing family firms: historically, fewer than 3% reach the 100-year milestone, and research indicates nearly 40% of family businesses in America will be passing the reigns to the next generation within the next five years.
     “Family businesses face all the challenges of other businesses, but also deal with the special dynamics of ownership, leadership and management by family members,” said Hoye.  “Professor Poza’s research shows how the most successful family firms avoid the common pitfalls.”
     Several Louisville-area centennial firms, including Brown-Forman, Middleton Reutlinger and the Rogers Group, will share their insights and experiences in a panel discussion immediately after Poza’s remarks.  A reception featuring centennial firm owners will follow at the law offices of Middleton Reutlinger in the Brown & Williamson Tower adjacent to the Hyatt.
     Tickets are $50 per person and include all three events. FBC members attend free, with discounts for their guests. Reservations are required and seating is limited.
     “It’s a great opportunity for business leaders to discover the Family Business Center and see how our programs and services can help them,” said Hoye. “We’ll have a special membership incentive available only at the event.”
     The University of Louisville Family Business Center at the College of Business is one of the oldest and most-respected Family Business Centers in the country.  Originally established in 1993, the center addresses a multitude of challenges faced by closely held and family firms. The member-based organization uses the capabilities and educational resources the University of Louisville, as well as established family owned businesses and professional practitioners within the community and beyond to provide family firms the assistance they need to grow and succeed from generation to generation. Re-launched in 2009, the center offers interactive workshops, roundtables, case studies, panel presentations, networking and research detailing contemporary management solutions grounded in experience. Membership fees are on a sliding scale based on company revenues.
     Poza’s presentation begins at 2 p.m., followed by the centennial firm forum at 4:30 p.m. The reception is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. 
     Event underwriters include FBC Strategic Partners BB&T and Wells Fargo Advisors, and event sponsors Harding, Shymanski & Company PSC, Middleton Reutlinger and Wells Fargo Insurance Services.  In-kind sponsors include Brown-Forman Corporation, Masterson’s Catering, Bluegrass Brewing Company and Kosair Charities.
     To reserve space call Joan Hammer at 502.852.4795 or email   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Registration is available on-line at Business.louisville.fbc/events.