Student members of the MBA Private Equity/Venture Capital Club are hosting the first-ever Private Equity Conference at UNC Kenan-Flagler Feb. 1, featuring highly-regarded speakers within the private equity and hedge fund fields.

Speakers will share insights on a range of convergence, structural ownership, globalization and regulatory issues. The conference is open to practitioners, alumni, faculty and students. "This event will enrich attendees' understanding of leading and converging practices within the private equity and hedge fund industries," said conference chair Joseph DeSapri (MBA ’08).

The conference will begin with opening remarks from UNC Kenan-Flagler Dean Steve Jones. The morning keynote speaker is Glenn Hutchins, founder and co-chief executive of Silver Lake, the leading investment firm focused on large scale investments in the technology industry. The lunch keynote speaker is Dwight Anderson, principal and portfolio manager of Ospraie Management LLC, a $7 billion investment firm.

The day will be filled with eight panels on subjects ranging from the current state of the regulatory environment to real asset funds. Over 30 speakers are currently scheduled to participate on the panels, including representatives from BlackRock, The Carlyle Group, Maverick Capital, Warburg Pincus and other firms.

Current sponsors of the conference include Capital IQ, Parish Capital and Smith Anderson.

In addition to DeSapri, other students involved in the planning of the event include Sean Miller (MBA ’08), director of private equity panel speakers, and Chad Plotke (MBA ’08), director of hedge fund panel speakers. "This conference is an essential venue for Kenan-Flagler MBA students to learn about the influence these world-renowned individuals have on our financial markets," said DeSapri.

For more information about the conference or to register, go to http://www.unc-pec.com.