Merrimac Attends AESC's Boutique & Independent Firm Forum

On October 14–15, 2026, Lauren Vielock and Mary McIntyre of Merrimac International joined fellow executive search leaders in the Dallas–Fort Worth area for AESC’s Boutique and Independent Firm Reception and Forum. The event brought together leaders from across the profession for candid conversations around the opportunities and challenges shaping independent executive search firms today.

Centered on the theme “Driving Business, Building Resilient Teams, and Seizing Opportunities in an Uncertain Economy,” the forum explored topics ranging from technology and the future of executive search to economic uncertainty, team resilience, and executive compensation. The program combined expert perspectives with peer-driven roundtable discussions and networking.

For Merrimac International, opportunities like this are an important part of staying connected to the broader executive search community, exchanging ideas with like-minded firms, and continuing to evolve how we serve clients and candidates.

We’re grateful to AESC for bringing the boutique and independent search community together in Texas and to everyone who contributed to the conversations.