On Thursday, 27 March 2008, approximately 350 US based pension plans, endowments, foundations, private equity fund managers, and other industry participants will convene in Los Angeles, California for the second annual “Credit Suisse Small and Emerging Private Equity Manager Conference.”
The conference, which is open to all private equity professionals, will take place at the UCLA Anderson School of Management on the campus of UCLA in Korn Convocation Hall from 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Credit Suisse’s Customized Fund Investment Group has organised the Conference to provide a broad universe of participants personalised access to a diverse set of small and emerging private equity managers and key institutional investors active in the space. Through open networking sessions and panel discussions led by market-leading investors and high quality emerging managers, the conference sponsors intend to provide critical investor and fund manager insights and a venue for developing strategic SEM programs.
“As the number of SEM-run and focused fund mangers, companies, and fundless sponsors continues to grow, it’s crucial that investors have the resources to source, diligence, monitor, and exit investments in SEM fund managers and co-investments in SEM companies. We believe that this event will help emphasize the quality of SEM-focused groups and provide such groups with increased exposure to an audience of key institutional investors active in the space,” says Kelly Williams, co-Head and managing director of the Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group, the private equity fund of funds division of Credit Suisse’s Alternative Investments business.
“The number of Small and Emerging Managers within the private equity market continues to increase, driven in part by the growing number of new groups being formed by experienced investment professionals starting their own fund. In light of this evolving landscape, we are working with our clients to identify ways to take advantage of the changing demographics and invest alongside them in the SEMs in a way that maximizes the opportunities that this sector offers,” adds Michael Arpey, co-head and managing director, Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group.
The conference’s opening remarks will be presented by John Chiang, California state controller. The keynote lunch speech will be given by Stewart A. Kohl, co-CEO of the Riverside Company. Speakers and panelists participating in the Conference include investment officers from California’s Public Employees’ Retirement System, California State Controller Office, Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, New Jersey Division of Investment, New York State Common Retirement Fund, Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York, and Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
The conference will be preceded by an evening welcome reception hosted by Credit Suisse Customised Fund Investment Group to be held on 26 March at the W Hotel Los Angeles.