7:00 AM

Open for Registration

7:30 - 8:15 AM

Breakfast in Sponsor Hall

8:15 - 8:30 AM

Welcome Address: Roger Aguinaldo, CEO, The M&A Advisor

8:30 - 9:15 AM

Keynote Presentation: David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Carlyle Group 

Global head of M&A for the Carlyle Group, Rubenstein discusses successful strategies of Private Equity and Corporate deal makers, and the resiliency of the M&A middle-market.  

9:15 - 10:00 AM

Panel Discussion: Future Direction of Corporate Acquirers -- The Year Ahead 

M&A deal making in 2008 was the story of corporate acquirers making their mark. Will corporate acquisitions continue apace? If so, what governance issues must corporate buyers and sellers consider? Which market factors cannot be overlooked? How will timing make or break a deal? Will corporate acquisitions continue to dominate throughout 2009? And how will the election outcome shape the future? Our corporate experts weigh-in.

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Networking Break in Sponsor Hall

10:30 - 11:15 AM

Panel Discussion: Distressed Investing Under Current Credit Conditions -- Do You Really Know What It's Like Out There?

Current credit market conditions continue to impact distress investing. Key factors such as Chapter 11 filings, tax structures, liquidity, quality of earnings, and projected earnings all make or break a deal. Within these factors lay the hidden issues that are brought to bear, as credit markets continue to dampen deal volume. To close a deal in this environment, what must top-tier deal makers know?

11:15 - 12:00 PM

Panel Discussion: Cross Border Deals -- The Keys to Global Survival  

As Eastern Europe, Asia and South America continue breakneck growth, it is imperative that M&A deal makers look abroad. In addition, as the US ponders infrastructure and the EU manages continental governance, cross border M&A deal making will continue to rally. Region-by-region the issues and players vary. What questions must M&A deal makers ask at the get go? How will cross border competition shape M&A landscape? What should a deal maker and their firm consider when sourcing deals abroad? Be sure you and your team are packed and ready to go.    

12:00 - 12:30 PM

Featured Speaker: James E. Glassman, Managing Director & Senior Economist, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Economic Overview

12:45 - 2:30 PM

LUNCH

Feature Presentation: John Castle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Castle Harlan

For over thirty years John Castle has led M&A deal making. As an industry pioneer, Castle reflects on the evolution of M&A deal making, and lends his expertise, regarding what M&A deal makers should look for in the years to come.

2:30 - 3:15 PM

Panel Discussion: Sourcing and Financing -- Who's Ahead and How to Get There

The competition for sourcing and financing vehicles has increased and will continue to do so, as new players emerge in the M&A arena. To stay ahead, deal makers will need to hone their skills. Our industry and sector specialists provide their "go to" invaluable insights.  

3:15 - 4:00 PM

Panel Discussion: Foundations of a Deal: Valuation; Due Diligence; Operations and Integration

Valuation continues to evolve as innovation, technology and human capital have become leading metrics. To close a deal, dealmakers must be valuation experts in any number of these emerging factors. How should such assessments be measured and negotiated?

Will due diligence be the same in 2009? Not likely. Analytic discipline will still rule, but pre-acquisition risk and post-acquisition integration will present new challenges, as legal issues and corporate structures continue to alter negotiations. Get focused. It's a new year.

Whatever 2009 brings, investors, boards and management will continue to demand transparency and clear strategic thinking. What are the key insights and tools that deal makers should use when approaching operations and integration issues. The stakes are high and so are the dollar amounts. Closing a deal is the first step, the next step is ensuring the deal pays out top dollar.

4:00 - 4:45 PM

Featured Panel Discussion: Washington and M&A

What will the next administration mean to middle-market M&A and Investing?
Panel Chair: Brian Sullivan, Anchor, Fox Business News

Panel Experts:

Michael E. Heisley, Chairman Emeritus, The Heico Companies, LLC

David T. Morgenthaler, Founding Partner, Morgenthaler

Frederick H. Joseph, Managing Director, Morgan Joseph & Co

5:00 PM

Conference Concludes