On December 2 through December 4 over sixty members and friends of the Columbia Business School community, including current MBA and EMBA students, law students, alumni, and industry professionals  headed to the oceanfront conference facilities of Gurney’s Inn located in Montauk, NY for an innovative seminar/retreat called Deal Camp.Created by the Private Equity Program, with the organizational support of the Career Management Center and financial support of the Dean’s office, Deal Camp was made possible through the generous financial sponsorship of Ernst & Young LLP.  The driving force for the establishment for Deal Camp was the recognition of the need for current students and those considering a career transition into the private equity industry and related fields to feel better prepared to handle the “nuts and bolts” practical questions that arise in job interviews.Deal Camp offered inter-active presentations and case studies from a variety of industry professionals in an intimate and high-intensity learning environment away from the distractions of everyday school and work life.  Each evening culminated in a sit-down dinner where speakers and attendees had the opportunity to relax from the day’s events.Attendee feedback on the Private Equity Program’s inaugural Deal Camp was positive and the Private Equity Program hopes to make Deal Camp an annual winter event.  Representative reactions included:“I learned far more than I could have hoped for … besides having a nice break from NYC noise and pollution” – First year student“Fantastic job in organizing and conducting the Deal Camp this weekend.  All speakers were excellent and collectively provided a robust overview on the industry and the deal process. I’m fortunate to have participated in the inaugural session and am certain the conference will be sought after in years to come.“ – Second year studentIf you are interested in attending Deal Camp in the future or in becoming a sponsor of Deal Camp please contact: Greta Larson, Assistant Director of the Private Equity Program at gl2304columbia.edu. 2011 Deal Camp Agenda:Friday2:30-3:00 PM Program Opening Remarks Donna M. Hitscherich, Columbia Business School3:00-4:30 PM Interactive Game: PE IQ Donna M. Hitscherich, Columbia Business School4:30-5:15 PM All Aboard-Counseling the Board of Directors in a Change of Control Robert J. Jackson, Jr., Columbia Law School; Donna M. Hitscherich, Columbia Business School5:30-7:30 PM Case Study: Berkshire Partners: Bidding for Carter’s Scott Gallin, PineBridge Investments 8:30 PM DINNER10:00 PM Friday Night at the Movies: Barbarians at the GateSaturday7:30-8:30AM BREAKFAST8:30 – 9:30AM Due Diligence in PE Alexander A. Shahidi, Michael Zambito, Ernst & Young LLP9:45-11:15AM Venture Capital Financing Matthew W. Mamak, Esq., Alston & Bird11:15-12:30PM Subscription Agreements, LOIs, Term Sheets and Other Things I Wish MBAs Knew About Scott Gallin, PineBridge Investments12:30-1:30PM LUNCH1:30-2:45PM Strategic Challenges Facing PE Andrew Mullin, McKinsey & Company2:45-3:45PM PE Value Proposition Brad Kuntz, Ernst & Young LLP4:00-5:00PM Show Me the Money-The Fundraising Aspects of PE Patricia Grad, Irving Place Capital5:15-6:15PM Case Study: The Investment Decision-Duane Reade Patricia Grad, Irving Place Capital6:30-7:45PM Tax Issues in PE Elizabeth Harvey, Ernst & Young LLP8:30PM DINNERSunday7:30-8:30AM BREAKFAST8:45-10:15AM Financing Markets-Instruments and Market Conditions Margaret Cannella, Columbia Business School10:30-11:45AM Issues Facing Today’s Board of Directors– A PR Perspective Eric Brielmann and Jed Repko, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher12:00-1:00PM LUNCH1:15-2:45PM Routes to PE Case Study: Investing Under Uncertainty Ron Mincy 07, GE Capital2:45-3:30PM Closing Session Thomas W. Monaco, Bruce Lloyd, Rebecca Mincy, Donna M. Hitscherich, Columbia Business School