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The Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) is a free-to-join, grassroots advocacy movement for anyone with a stake in ensuring employee ownership continues to grow and thrive in the US.
Does that sound like you?
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What Our Members Have to Say
“Membership in The ESOP Association is vital to an ESOP owned company. The advocacy and education services are invaluable and are not duplicated by any other organization.”
-David Kelly, CFO at Acadian Ambulance Service Inc.
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The Employee Owned Conference, attended annually by more than 2,000 employee-owners, thought leaders, and professional advisors, is the largest ESOP conference in the world.
Upcoming events
- Resources
The #EO Solution
The ESOP Association and Project Equity have partnered to create state -by-state data that amplifies employee ownership as a common sense way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy.
ESOP Association Resources
Forming an ESOP - A New Video Series on Business Succession Planning
Hear from ESOP companies in multiple different industries, and their seasoned advisors, about what an ESOP is and if it’s right for you.
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- About TEA
What is an ESOP?
An ESOP is a retirement plan—but also a way of living and running a company. For insights on both technical and cultural aspects of these plans—which provide benefits to employee owners, the company, the community, and exiting owners—and links to additional resources, see our web page titled What is an ESOP?
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The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Mar. 26
It’s still early in the year, but for many of us, that means some already broken New Year’s resolutions. It’s not too late, however, to jump back on the improvement wagon and resolve to make the most of employee ownership at your company in 2024.
Based on our more than three decades providing practical communication, training and ownership-culture development services, here’s some real-world suggestions (i.e., ESOP resolutions) you can implement to be more effective this year while laying a solid foundation for future success.
Based on our more than three decades providing practical communication, training and ownership-culture development services, here’s some real-world suggestions (i.e., ESOP resolutions) you can implement to be more effective this year while laying a solid foundation for future success.
Mar. 21
In February, The ESOP Association held its annual Professionals’ Forum in New Orleans, which featured an unveiling of the Association’s latest advocacy effort and lively discussions on the most critical ESOP issues. The Forum, the only event of its kind, serves a key role as a high-level discussion venue, sounding board, and learning experience for ESOP professionals.
Mar. 20
Photo: KMI International founder and CEO John Manning (right) with John Burgess
Mar. 14
Among an ESOP trustee’s most important responsibilities is setting the annual share price for company stock held by the ESOP. This price is used to facilitate transactions involving the ESOP or plan participants, and gives all participants the “current” value for what is one of their key retirement accounts. Because the ESOP trustee typically relies on an independent valuation prepared by an ESOP valuation professional or firm to determine the annual price, selecting the right professional and giving a complete review of the valuation is of the utmost importance.
Mar. 07
All ESOP Association members are eligible to apply to join any of the Association’s six Professional Advisory Committees. The Advisory Committees' mission is to help identify emerging issues, discuss best practices, and formulate the educational content for the hundreds of educational conference sessions held throughout the nation each year.
Mar. 05
The ESOP Association’s Newest Initiative Aims to Synthesize Compelling ESOP Messages Across Industry, Demographic Sectors, and Audiences
I have often said that as a community we are really good at talking about employee ownership to one another, but really bad in how we communicate to everyone else. The ESOP Association and The Employee Ownership Foundation have joined forces to try to do something about that, and provide meaningful, data-driven research to help you in your marketing and communications, too.
I have often said that as a community we are really good at talking about employee ownership to one another, but really bad in how we communicate to everyone else. The ESOP Association and The Employee Ownership Foundation have joined forces to try to do something about that, and provide meaningful, data-driven research to help you in your marketing and communications, too.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Apr. 24
At Entertainment Partners, with our 1,100 employee owners spread out across more than 10 locations nationwide, we rely heavily on technology to help us communicate and connect with each other. To us, “social media” encompasses any technology that enables us to create and share content and make those connections. It could be software specifically geared toward fostering collaboration in the workplace or it could be the same website you use to share hilarious cat videos or that perfectly angled selfie.
Resource, Press Releases
Apr. 15
Gardener’s Supply Company of Burlington, VT, has been named the 2018 ESOP Company of the Year by The ESOP Association. The announcement was made at The Association’s Annual Conference.
“Gardener’s Supply is a prime example of an ESOP company that actively engages its employee owners, the employee ownership community, and elected officials at the state and federal levels,” said ESOP Association President J. Michael Keeling. “Its commitment to sharing with others the power of ESOPs is an example all ESOP companies can proudly seek to replicate.”
“Gardener’s Supply is a prime example of an ESOP company that actively engages its employee owners, the employee ownership community, and elected officials at the state and federal levels,” said ESOP Association President J. Michael Keeling. “Its commitment to sharing with others the power of ESOPs is an example all ESOP companies can proudly seek to replicate.”
ESOP Blog, Resource
Apr. 02
Most businesses wrestle with their health care costs. Being an ESOP does not make us immune to this challenge.
Travel and Transport is a 1,400-person company with offices from Boston to Seattle. We have a self-insured health plan in which approximately two thirds of our employee owners participate. Our plan has run large deficits the past several years and, as a result, we are in the midst of making some major changes.
Travel and Transport is a 1,400-person company with offices from Boston to Seattle. We have a self-insured health plan in which approximately two thirds of our employee owners participate. Our plan has run large deficits the past several years and, as a result, we are in the midst of making some major changes.