Merrill Corporation
Perfecting the Auction

Many companies these days are being sold through auction processes. When is it best to conduct a broad auction? When does it make more sense to approach a limited group of buyers? What may buyers do to differentiate themselves in the auction process? How has due diligence changed? How may buyers and sellers invest their time efficiently? A group of experienced professionals from the investment banking, legal and private equity communities will examine these questions.

Grant Thornton
Are you Prepared if the Current Environment Changes Direction?

Some experts tell us that this growth spurt won’t last much longer. Do opportunities exist in a weaker economy? This panel will address the trends to expect if and when the economy enters into a down cycle and how you should best manage your portfolio during this time. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of how the dynamics change when you are dealing in a world of distressed companies.

Invest in Canada
Canadian Deal Mart

This breakout session will feature a number of mid-market opportunities drawn from across Canada. The format will be in the traditional Deal Mart style. There will be approximately twenty 2-minute power point presentations featuring mid-market companies that are seeking expansion capital or which may be actively pursuing M&A activity on either the buy or the sell side.

The companies being presented will be pre-screened and reviewed by a committee established for this purpose to ensure that the deals conform with the anticipated investment parameters of the target audience. This breakout session is being sponsored by Invest in Canada Bureau, a Diamond sponsor Intergrowth.

Katten Muchin Rosenman
Market Trends in Leveraged Financing for Middle Market Sponsored Buyouts and Recapitalizations

Panel discussion regarding market trends in middle market leveraged financing presented by experienced deal professionals. Topics will include state of the market (including senior debt, total debt and purchase multiples), impact of auctions on the deal process, alternative transaction structures and factors influencing sponsor's choice of lending partners.

KPMG LLP
"What Works: Examining Leading Practices in M&A"

After completing hundreds of transactions and three research studies touching over 400 companies, KPMG LLP has identified critical leading practices that can lead to successful transactions. KPMG's Angus Buchanan will share the firm's knowledge, experience, and findings and sum up these best practices in three phases; Due diligence; Integration planning; and Post-merger implementation. KPMG will highlight the linkages between financial due diligence, other business considerations, and more downstream execution-related activities.