Hedge funds and private equity funds, whose strategies have historically been considered as separate asset classes, have recently seen a convergence in their investment opportunities, partnership terms, and investor bases. Hedge fund managers are investing with longer holding periods, acquiring and restructuring companies using shareholder activism tactics and requiring more stringent lockup terms from their own investors. A substantial number of large private equity firms have utilized their industry and financial expertise to pursue shorter-term strategies, while others have merged with existing hedge fund managers. Some industry experts believe that the combination of these asset classes is a road fraught with landmines. Others argue that the benefits of leveraging investment talent and an existing fund’s reputation and investor list allow managers to take advantage of opportunities in each others’ space.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some of the top names in the field discuss how convergence affects the alternative investment industry, specifically:

• How is the institutional investor marketplace reacting to this trend?
• What overlap/synergies exist between hedge and private equity funds in their investment processes and back office controls?
• What registration requirements/government oversight issues arise and to what extent is transparency affected?
• Is the push toward convergence more prevalent on the fund-of-funds level versus the direct, private partnership level?