FUNDRAISING TRACK
Attention Fundraisers: LPs Are Seeking....

One of the toughest issues for firms raising funds is getting a grip on what limited partners are really seeking and just how willing they are to commit to a new relationship. Our panel of LPs discuss how they are dealing with fundraisers, the questions they are asking and what it takes for them to commit to a fund.

LIQUIDITY TRACK
What Are IPO Investors Really Seeking?

One of the biggest reasons why private equity and venture capital firms have had difficulties in taking companies public in recent years is that they've been unable to get the market excited about IPOs. In this special panel, you'll hear what buyers are really looking for. The sectors that interest them and the types of companies they could do without.

INTERNATIONAL TRACK
To Invest Successfully In China, Firms Must...

China has become the place to go for U.S. private equity firms, both on the venture and the buyout side. But setting up an office in Shanghai or Beijing does not guarantee success. It takes relationships and knowledge. Our panel provides an overview of some of the things that can help firms find success in China as well as some of the things that they may wish to avoid.

MIDDLE MARKET TRACK
Getting The Deal Done: What Does It Take?

Finding companies to acquire is just one part of a potential deal. There is, of course, the back and forth over price and terms of the deal, and then, of course, the work to line up adequate and reasonable financing. Our panel gives their thoughts on what it takes to close a deal in 2011, the pitfalls and issues and what to do to get around them.

VENTURE CAPITAL TRACK
Will Social Media Save The Venture Industry?

The venture industry has failed in recent years to produce the types of returns that LPs are seeking. As a result, many institutional investors have cut back on their venture allocation, and focused on a few select firms. But some observers are wondering whether LPs were too hasty, citing the gains that are likely to be generated by Facebook, Zynga, Twitter, Groupon and the emerging social media sector. Is that view correct, or will the sector simply be another example of over-investing and too much capital chasing too few quality deals? Our panel discusses and debates.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TRACK
Dodd-Frank: Is Your Firm In Compliance?

The Dodd-Frank Act has left many private equity firms scrambling in recent months to make sure they are doing what is necessary under the Dodd-Frank Act. Specifically, that has meant registering and having a compliance person. For some firms these actions have been easier said than done and also more expensive than planned. In this special session, our panel gives an overview of what the SEC may be looking for, what firms should be doing and the mistakes that firms may be making.

RESTRUCTURING
To Successfully Turn A Company Around, Firms Should...

Taking on a troubled company and turning it around can yield big results. But troubled companies can also remain troubled if the right moves are not made. Our panel discusses the steps that firms can and should take to pull off to a successful restructuring, especially in the current financial environment.

INSTITUTIONAL TRACK
Tackling New Sectors: What It Takes

In this panel, veterans LPs and advisers talk about the strategy that institutional investors should take in jumping into new investment areas, whether they are emerging industry sectors or geographies. They'll outline some of the safer ways to do it and also discuss mistakes that LPs often make.

ENERGY TRACK
There's Natural Gas In Those Hills: What Does The Shale Rush Mean For Energy Investors?

An increasing number of private equity firms are touting the great potential in extracting natural gas from layers of rock, or shales, in the Northeast and Midwest. They see the haul as not only a means to generate great returns, but also to reverse the U.S.'s dependence on foreign oil. Are these claims legit? How much opportunity is there really? And what  impact will it have, in general, on energy investors, especially those trying to come up with alternatives for foreign oil?

INVESTOR RELATIONS TRACK
Your Firm's Reputation: Is It As Strong As It Can Be?

The image that private equity and venture capital firms have these days is critical, whether it's trying to raise a fund, land a deal, or secure financing. It is important that the firm is sending out the right message, especially as social networking is exploding. Our panel dives into some of the things that they try to do or suggest doing related to promoting and monitoring firms.

FIRM MANAGEMENT TRACK
The Push To Standardized Reporting: Is Your Firm Ready?

Investor reporting has long been all over the map. LPs have often sought different pieces of information in different formats. Meanwhile, GPs have attempted to provide the information they think is relevant, in a format that often works best for them. Those days may be ending, especially with ILPA's push for standardized reporting. This panel dives into the key issues that both LPs and GPs need to think about related to reporting, provides an overview of what ILPA is trying to do and gives best practices on what reporting should look like going forward.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TRACK
Could Your People Run Afoul of Regulators?

The Securities & Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice have been cracking down hard on insider trading over the past year. Their main targets have been hedge funds and so-called expert networks, but one should not forget that private equity firms and venture capitalists are either dealing with public companies over acquisitions or have connections to such companies. Trading stocks on confidential information is a no-no, but what exactly constitutes "confidential" and what should firms do to keep their employees from landing in trouble?

FUNDRAISING TRACK
ILPA 2.0: What Does It Mean For The Terms Discussion?

The Institutional Limited Partners Association revised their ever-important principles earlier this year, making them, in theory, a little less LP-dominant. Our panel discusses these changes, the role that the ILPA Principles are playing in the fundraising process, and the terms getting the most attention from limited partners.

LIQUIDITY TRACK
The Facebook Frenzy: What Does The Interest In Private Stock Sales Mean For Investors?

The path for successful startups used to be relatively straightforward. They'd build out their business and then either opt for an acquisition or push forward for an IPO. But the moves by Facebook, Zynga, Groupon, Twitter and others related to selling shares in the private markets at massive valuations have some wondering whether the formula for liquidity is being rethought. Our panel discusses what has occurred in recent months and whether it's a short-term phenomena or the beginning of a much larger trend.

INTERNATIONAL TRACK
To Invest Successfully in Brazil, Firms Must...

Private equity investors have shown a great deal of interest in Brazil over the past year. In fact, Blackstone thought so much of the country that it invested in a firm. But will it live up to the hype? Are there enough deals in the country and in Latin America in general to match the interest and dollars that are available? Our panel discusses the investing climate and give their take on what it will take to generate strong returns in the country.

MIDDLE MARKET TRACK
You've Acquired A Company: Now What...

"We add value." It has become the rallying cry of buyout firms, big and small, in recent years. They are out to prove that they can do more than simply load on debt and lay off employees. Our panel discusses the things that firms should focus on following an acquisition, especially as prices increase and the economy shows signs of improvement.

VENTURE CAPITAL TRACK
To Create A Successful Company, VCs Must...

Wouldn't be great if VCs could go to a recipe book and get a guide to creating a truly successful startup? Well, of course, that's not possible, but our panel discusses some of the things that seem to separate the good companies from the so-so companies and, of course, the failures.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TRACK
Steering Your Firm & Your Companies Clear of FCPA Violations

The Department of Justice has been cracking down hard in recent years on companies that violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by attempting to gain business abroad through bribes of local government officials. However, the DOJ & the Securities & Exchange Commission have shifted begun looking at the activities of private equity firms and venture capital firms and their portfolio companies. This panel gives an overview of the FCPA, the deals that got companies in trouble, the actions that those companies took to end the trouble, and what PE & VC firms should be doing to make sure that an employee, a portfolio company or even a third party contractor does not violate the Act.

RESTRUCTURING
Private Equity Goes To The Mall: Will The Bet On Retailers & Restaurants Pay Off?

The economic downturn hit many retailers and restaurant chains hard. That opened the door for private equity firms to move in and acquire them at often perceived low prices. But will these acquisitions survive, let alone produce strong returns? Does this sector make sense going forward, especially as more and more commerce is done online and people's tastes seem to change daily?

INSTITUTIONAL TRACK
Due Diligence Done Right: Are You Asking The Right Questions of GPs?

As a limited partner, you are likely being more cautious with your investing than you were just a few years ago. It is thus more important than ever that you truly understand a firm's track record and its personnel. In this special panel, LPs and advisers discuss the ways in which they are examining firms and the information they are seeking.

ENERGY TRACK
Alternative Energy Investing: Where Does It Go From Here?

Just a few years ago, investors large and small were flocking to an array of so-called cleantech companies, including solar, batteries and ones focused on the GRID. Today, many of those investors have moved on, scared off by the price tag of developing such companies, the complexities of dealing with Washington and competition, especially from China. There are, however, investors still very active. They'll give their view on where the sector is and why it may or may not generate the returns that were initially expected of it.

INVESTOR RELATIONS TRACK
Remaining Core: What Firms Can Do & Say To Keep Limited Partners

One of the biggest challenges for firms raising funds is simply keeping existing LPs on board. No surprise as more and more limited partners are looking to reduce the number of relationships they have. As a result, it has become more important to not only produce strong returns but a strong relationship as well. Our panel discusses the things that can help -- and hurt -- in maintaining a relationship with existing LPs.

FIRM MANAGEMENT TRACK
FOCUS ON: Outsourcing Done Right (Presented By State Street Bank)

The demands upon private equity and venture capital firms are growing. There are increasing requests from LPs. There are questions from auditors and thanks to the new Dodd-Frank Act, there will be information needed for the Securities & Exchange Commission. In short, trying to do it all internally is getting tougher. This panel dives into what firms need to think about related to going the outsourcing route for some, or all of these activities. Specifically, the panel will get into the things that firms need to think about before taking this step, what tasks can be outsourced, and what firms need to focus on in terms of selecting vendors.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TRACK
The AIFMD: Understanding Its True Impact on Fundraising & Dealmaking in Europe

Europe put in place the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive last year in order to have more insight and control of the private equity industry. And while the final rules were not as draconian as originally proposed, they still could pose some issues for U.S. firms trying to do deals or raise capital abroad. Our panel gives an overview of how the AIFMD shook out and what firms need to be aware of in doing business now and in the future in Europe.