Welcome

On behalf of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, we are delighted to welcome you to 15th annual Wharton Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference. The conference provides a forum for industry leaders, alumni, faculty, and students to discuss recent trends and issues affecting private equity and venture capital investors. Themed "Multiplicity Without Rhythm: Investing in Chaotic Markets," this year's conference will address nine key issues impacting the private equity and venture capital communities in this challenging and unprecedented climate:

• From Vultures to Saviors: How Distressed Investing is Helping to Shape Tomorrow's Economy
• The Post-Crisis Asset Allocation Shuffle for Limited Partners: Double-Down or Fold?
• Friends or Foes? How Private Equity and Hedge Fund Investing Will Evolve to Thrive in the New World
• Emerging Markets are Coming of Age: Reflecting on Key Success Factors and Identifying Future Opportunities
• Venture Capital & Growth Equity: Early Stage Investing in the New Economy
• Finding Gems Under Rocks - How to Drive Value Going Forward in Middle Markets
• Leveraged Buyouts: Strategies in Times of Turmoil
• The Effect of Increased Regulatory Hurdles Following the Turmoil in Financial Markets
• Cooperation and Competition in International Private Equity

This year's conference will offer attendees a unique networking opportunity and will provide a forum for thoughtful discourse on these key topics and on the industry as a whole. We are honored to have a distinguished group of speakers who will contribute their time and insight for the benefit of all attendees. We are also grateful to our sponsors, whose generosity and support make this conference possible. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication of the entire Conference planning team.

We invite you to engage with those around you, build new relationships, and critically consider the fascinating and challenging climate facing the private equity and venture capital communities. We hope that you will enjoy this year's conference, and we look forward to your continued support and participation.

Sincerely, Co-Chairs