Moderator:
Alec Ellison, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Technology Investment Banking, Jefferies & Co. Inc.

Venture capitalists seem to be emerging from their shells after a long retreat. Deal volume and size improved late in 2010. Many of the deals were in the later rounds, trying to get firms to the next benchmark. But how has the industry changed in the wake of the Great Recession? Are VCs only investing in later rounds, or are they starting to nibble at more early-stage firms? Is American-style VC and private-equity investing being adopted more widely around the world? How truly global are U.S. VCs becoming, and do they need to put deals together with greater international composition? Which geographies look most appealing? Which investing area is hotter: social or science? Is there too much fixation on finding the next Facebook or Twitter? With energy prices rising again, are alternative energy plays and green technologies looking more attractive? Are there better prospects for biotech investing in regenerative medicine and medical technologies? A group of experienced venture capitalists will share insights and predictions.

Moderator:
Kevin Klowden, Managing Economist and Director, California Center, Milken Institute

The U.S. auto industry once dominated America's manufacturing machine. So it was ironic that when the CEOs of the big three automakers testified before Congress in 2008, the media focused on their arrival in Washington via business aircraft. Left out of that story was the fact that the business aircraft industry accounts for more than 1.2 million jobs. It's part of a broader U.S. aerospace industry that has quietly become one of the country's bright spots for exports. In fact, much of its growth can be attributed to exports, as American brands are the planes of choice around the world. The industry is now responsible for more than 10 percent of U.S. manufacturing's annual exports. This panel brings together executives from several leading U.S. aerospace companies to discuss how America has maintained its position as the world's aviation supplier and whether it will remain on top.

Moderator:
Joel Kurtzman, Senior Fellow; Executive Director, Center for a Sustainable Energy Future, Milken Institute

Innovation, creativity and the ability to collaborate across great distances will be the cornerstones of future growth. In a world that's powered by increasingly sophisticated technology, it's all about developing and attracting skilled human capital. While the United States has fallen behind in science and math proficiency, other nations are racing to build their capabilities. How are companies tapping into the new global talent pool? How are management and training paradigms changing? Which skills will be in greatest demand in the future? This panel will examine the mobility of talent, future human capital requirements and how to train people to succeed.

Moderator:
Kai Ryssdal, Host, "Marketplace," American Public Media

Across the board, commodity prices are soaring. Part of the recent run-up is event-driven: Political upheaval in Libya has sent oil prices skyrocketing, while violence in the Ivory Coast recently tightened the world's supply of coffee and cocoa. Flooding and drought around the world last year caused major crop failures and shortages. But for much of the past year, we've seen extraordinary price hikes in gold, copper, minerals, wheat, corn, cotton and more. How much of this trend is a temporary spike, and how much is caused by fundamental demand growth in emerging markets like China and India? Is the world now in a permanent race to grab precious commodities? How should investors approach this sector? And how will today's commodity shocks affect a fragile recovery?

Speaker:
Ronnie C. Chan, Chairman, Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

Interviewer:
Perry Wong, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; Senior Vice President and Senior Economist, Economic Strategy, City National Bank

The incredible real estate boom in China's major cities continues unabated. Worried about overheating, the Chinese government has attempted to deflate what many observers fear is a massive speculative bubble. But its moves to tighten credit have had little effect, and property markets like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have soared to even greater heights. Ronnie Chan, one of Asia's most influential real estate developers, will join us for a candid one-on-one session about the factors driving this frenzy. As chairman of Hang Lung Properties, he is investing heavily in several mainland cities, betting big on malls that cater to the Chinese consumer's insatiable demand for luxury goods. Chan will share his views on what to expect in China's commercial and residential markets.

Moderator:
Lewis Feldman, Partner and Los Angeles Chair, Goodwin Procter LLP

Their level of optimism may vary, but many observers believe that the recovery has arrived for commercial real estate. Who are the major players poised to profit from the upswing? Which asset classes are going to lead the way: hospitality, industrial, multifamily, single-family or commercial? And what do investors need to know before plunging in? This panel will explore current trends in deal flow and how developers are accessing capital. Who is providing that capital, and does it take the form of debt or equity? We'll also explore the new role of CMBS and the impact of new investment strategies, such as CalPERS' shift from residential to commercial. Finally, this panel will identify current opportunities, whether they come from repositioning existing assets or financing new markets such as the Middle East.

Moderator:
Rina Singh, Director, Policy, Industrial and Environmental Section, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Imagine a world where plastics don't linger in landfills for centuries. In the not-so-distant future, the everyday products we use - from soda bottles and cosmetics to laundry detergent and car parts - will be biodegradable. And the kicker? Instead of being manufactured from petroleum, these new products will use plants as a feedstock. Bioplastics, the next wave in the effort to decrease dependence on oil, can make all of this possible. But industrial biotech companies still face significant challenges in commercialization. The demand for start-up capital is high, and competition from low-cost, petroleum-based products is fierce. Building on a Financial Innovations Lab convened by the Milken Institute and the USDA, this roundtable will explore potential collaborations between the public and private sectors to provide the financing needed to usher in the brave new world of industrial biotech products.

Moderator:
Kara Swisher, Co-Executive Editor, AllThingsD.com

The United States often takes its dominance in science and technology for granted - and no wonder, since U.S. firms like Apple, Google and Facebook continue to dazzle consumers with inventiveness. But other nations around the world aren't exactly sitting still. They've studied the U.S. model of research funding, commercialization incentives and intellectual property protection, and they've gotten busy building their own high-tech clusters and research capacities. China and India have become hotbeds of "frugal innovation," rethinking process and design to improve products (such as medical devices) while bringing down their costs. Today it's clear that innovation knows no borders. Where are the next great game-changing designs being produced? How does this worldwide phenomenon change corporate decision-making? How are companies changing their R&D models to discover and integrate ideas from around the globe?

Moderator:
Rafael Pastor, Chairman and CEO, Vistage International Inc.

How will the Great Recession and its aftermath change the structure of employment in the future? Which jobs are unlikely to ever return because of a fundamental restructuring of the economy? Which categories will bounce back? Which sectors will create the jobs of tomorrow? How much of the current unemployment is attributable to the extensive slack in the economy as opposed to a deeper structural issue with firms needing skills that aren't possessed by most workers that are jobless?

Moderator:
Lewis Feldman, Partner and Los Angeles Chair, Goodwin Procter LLP

What is the future of housing? Here in the U.S., how will changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reshape the market going forward? Which asset classes will lead the recovery: multi-family, condos, senior housing or single-family homes? Has a desire for transportation-oriented development taken hold, pushing development to urban infill, or will single-family residential housing make a comeback? And applying a more global perspective, are new opportunities being created in the Middle East, Brazil and other emerging markets?

Interviewer:
Michael Milken, Chairman, Milken Institute

Moderator:
Carole Brookins, Managing Director, Public Capital Advisors

The price of wheat has surged to its highest level since the summer of 2008. And that's not all: Prices for rice, corn, soybeans, sugar and coffee are also soaring, creating a tremendous burden on the poorest households worldwide. Protests and riots have already broken out in Algeria, Jordan, Egypt and India. Here in the U.S., consumer prices are only ticking up, and companies are struggling to adjust to higher raw material costs. Whether the price hikes are due to a catastrophic string of floods and droughts that damaged harvests or to rising energy costs and speculation, one thing is clear: Their impact on food insecurity around the world is significant. How can communities overcome the burden of price increases? Will world governments respond by hoarding food stocks and banning exports, exacerbating shortages? What role can agricultural firms and commodities markets play? As individuals and families face hunger in the midst of the economic downturn, how can corporations and philanthropies bridge the gap to meet their immediate needs as well as addressing longer-term solutions? How can we smooth the flow of funding and aid in light of the price spikes? This panel will take a look at the ongoing solutions needed to feed the world.

Moderator:
Paul Irving, Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Milken Institute

In the last several years, we've seen some extraordinarily innovative nonprofits make an enormous impact in the global community. With a laser focus and growth that's powered by social media, these agents of change were, by and large, formed by a single person or a small team responding to a specific need with a global solution. These digital leaders are entrepreneurial in style, they inspire others to join their cause and they approach their mission with passion and leadership. Pioneers in the new age of philanthropy, they are the next generation that will shape the global conversation, impact millions of lives and change history.

Moderator:
Kevin Klowden, Managing Economist and Director, California Center, Milken Institute

Manufacturers need raw materials from their suppliers, and in turn they need to count on getting finished goods to the end customer. But today's intricate supply chains may stretch around the globe, necessitating multiple means of transport and customs clearances. Online retailers stake their reputations on delivering purchases to customers anywhere in the world smoothly and quickly. Smart logistics systems are more vital to the bottom line than ever before - but the movement of goods isn't just a matter for individual firms. The entire global economy depends on the ease of international trade. Providing the basic infrastructure to streamline commerce - from rail lines to container ports - is crucial to any region's growth potential. The most modern and efficient airport hubs, especially, are attracting clusters of firms and vendors. This panel will explore factors such as new technologies, rising fuel prices, expanded shipping routes and free trade deals.

Moderator:
Daniel Casse, President, G100; Managing Partner, High Lantern Group

It's a distant memory now, but after World War II, North America boasted over half the world's manufacturing capacity. This industry long represented the ticket for U.S. workers to gain a foothold in the middle class. But millions of American manufacturing jobs have been lost as other nations build up their capacity and offer companies lower cost structures. As it fights to maintain and reshape what is left, what can North America learn from Germany and Japan? Are there high-end sectors worth keeping and low-end sectors worth letting go? How has Canada continued to attract and retain manufacturing jobs?

Moderator:
Jim Glasheen, General Partner, Technology Partners

The doctor-patient relationship is changing. Today many patients are acting as their own best advocates - and now they have new tools at their disposal. Doctors may have to rush through appointments, but patients can maximize the efficiency of their interactions by arriving well-informed. Vast libraries of online information help patients bring themselves up to speed quickly and ask more targeted questions. Interactive support groups offer information and encouragement, while electronic medical records make histories more portable when patients seek out second opinions. Creative new apps help users stay focused on healthy living and maintenance of chronic conditions, while drop-in clinics in retail settings make simple preventive care more accessible. Is patient empowerment the wave of the future?

Moderator:
Andrew Miller, Entrepreneur and Founder, ATM Holdings Inc.

As you read this, you might be logged into Facebook, watching a YouTube video that was Tweeted by a friend. Soon you'll be able to rent and stream movies on the social networking site. The 800-pound gorillas Facebook and Twitter have market valuations of $70 billion and $7 billion, respectively, while two-and-a-half-year-old Groupon has taken social commerce to new places with $760 million in revenue in 2010. Social media's reach has grown so powerful that Facebook and Twitter have been credited with aiding game-changing protests in the Middle East. But are any of these sites really profitable? Are their businesses sustainable? Most Internet revenue models are based on subscriptions or advertising, but the power of the purse for social media lies with access to their large base of users. Can these sites get beyond privacy concerns so they can better monetize their customer base? What are the business models of the future?

Moderator:
Jared Carney, Executive Director, Program Development and Marketing, Milken Institute

Nothing, it seems, will keep travelers grounded for long. After a wild couple of years - complete with a recession, strikes, security incidents, a pandemic and even a volcano - the global travel and tourism sector has bounced back and then some. Worldwide, there were 935 million international tourist arrivals in 2010, up 58 million from 2009. But the United States is drawing slightly fewer overseas arrivals today than it did in 2000. Now that travelers are willing to seek out more far-flung destinations, how can the U.S. do a better job of attracting and welcoming international visitors - and competing for their business? Is it time to streamline airport security? What's the impact of taxing visitors in order to balance local budgets? Globally, can the industry absorb higher oil prices and airfares? What are the hot destinations, and where are visitors willing to spend? Many hotel developers were hard-hit by the slump in commercial real estate - are they finally turning a corner? This panel of industry veterans will discuss the state of the travel business.

Moderator:
Jim D'Aquila, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Consumer Products Group, Imperial Capital

Has a nation of spendthrifts become a nation of tightwads? Well, not exactly, but the U.S. consumer is feeling pretty tapped out. Do higher savings rates signal a lasting shift in priorities? Now that cautious consumers seem intent on finding steep discounts, retailers have to take a new approach to managing their margins. Are high-end brands immune to these pressures? Which products, services and technologies are enticing shoppers to open their wallets? And if the U.S. consumer is no longer going to be the engine that drives the global economy, what strategies are retailers pursuing to penetrate international markets? Which brands have already seized international market share, and which ones are well-positioned for growth?

Moderator:
Fran Durekas, Founder and Chief Development Officer, CCLC

Look at any successful enterprise: Human capital is the secret weapon that generates creativity, momentum, client loyalty and a dynamic corporate culture that breeds success. To build and retain a high-caliber workforce, companies need to offer innovative work-life programs that meet increasingly diverse employee needs. The best programs can reduce turnover, increase employee motivation and reduce employer costs. Leading executives will join us to describe how initiatives focusing on health and wellness, diversity, employee benefits and flexibility have been crucial to improving their competitiveness.

Moderator:
Michael Milken, Chairman, Milken Institute

How a company reacts in tough times can make or break the firm. Sometimes survival boils down to making nimble moves to restructure debt and strengthen the balance sheet. In other cases it's about getting lean and coaxing productivity and loyalty out of your employees. And if you can muster the resources, continuing to invest in R&D or snapping up distressed assets in a down cycle can leave you positioned to profit handsomely when the upswing finally arrives. This panel will look at the actions taken by some leading names that navigated through the recession and came out in good shape on the other side. What was their strategy? What were their key business decisions? What did investors look for in companies during the recession? What can we learn from these executives about how to prepare for the next challenge?

Moderator:
Richard Sandler, Executive Vice President, Milken Family Foundation; Partner, Law Offices of Maron & Sandler

Like the hero in a dime-store novel, will the iPad rescue publishing? Tablet computers as well as the Kindle and other e-readers have created a new platform for books, magazines and newspapers. The California start-up Vook may demonstrate the path forward: It packages cookbooks, workout manuals and even novels with illustrative video clips, then sells these video-text hybrids through Apple's iTunes Store. But what will readers pay for these products, and can this model sustain the big traditional publishers? Is salvation just wishful thinking on the part of a dying industry? Some say there will always be a place for print. In the news industry, print is too slow for breaking news, but does printed analysis have a place? In publishing, text-heavy books may be perfect for an e-reader, but will beautifully illustrated, tactile tomes become even more valuable? What lessons can publishers learn from the music industry's response to the digital revolution?

Moderator:
Rick Newman, Chief Business Correspondent, U.S. News & World Report

Our annual big-picture take on the housing market will include a look at current conditions and forecasts for housing prices, foreclosures and sales trends. But we'll also step back and take the long view. How do we really fix the housing market so it's sustainable? We'll examine other countries whose markets are more stable (such as Canada and Australia), and consider what they're doing right. What makes one housing finance model less susceptible to volatile cycles than another? Should the U.S. move toward a securitization model that favors covered bonds? What do other countries do (if anything) to promote homeownership as opposed to renting? Should the U.S. eliminate non-recourse loans or the mortgage tax deduction? What should be the role of GSEs such as Fannie and Freddie?

Moderator:
Lesa Mitchell, Vice President, Advancing Innovation, Kauffman Foundation

The United States has gotten comfortable in its role as the undisputed global leader in biomedical research and manufacturing. Over the past 30 years, many European multinational firms shifted R&D to the U.S. to take advantage of its matchless ecosystem for innovation. But today, other countries realize the value of attracting R&D in the life sciences, and the private-sector production activities associated with it, for creating high-value-added jobs. Many Asian and European nations are pursuing strategies to wrestle biomedical innovation infrastructure away from the United States. What policy moves should the U.S. implement to keep its leadership in this field intact?

Moderator:
Jane Madden, Executive Vice President, CSR and Sustainability, Edelman

Traditional metrics were inadequate to alert investors to the risks corporations and banks were facing on the eve of the financial crisis. Since then, calls have grown louder for greater transparency and a better standard of financial reporting - one that takes into account the full gamut of risk, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. It's clear that nonfinancial issues such as carbon output, ethical supply chains and a wide variety of other sustainability concerns can have real financial consequences. International organizations such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the International Integrated Reporting Committee argue that we need a global reporting framework that integrates ESG factors with financial capital in a standardized way on the balance sheet. Novo Nordisk, American Electric Power and Bovespa, the Brazilian Stock Exchange, already see the value of integrated reporting. What are the next steps for implementing ESG reporting more widely? Can a greater understanding of these risk factors prevent future financial crises?

Moderator:
Rick Horrow, CEO, Horrow Sports Ventures

For many business leaders, owning a piece of their favorite team can be a dream come true. But once you're actually in the owner's box, is the reality all it's cracked up to be? This panel will bring together some of the world's most respected owners for a firsthand look at the business of sports. Professional teams have become extremely complex, multinational organizations with valuations that can run in the billions. Do the perks of ownership outweigh the costs of public scrutiny and second-guessing by the media? Do investment opportunities exist at the major and minor league levels? Our panel will provide an insider's perspective - and a few fun stories - that might give you a new outlook on that cherished dream of investing in your favorite franchise.

Moderator:
Lucy Hood, Executive Director, Institute of Communication Technology Management, USC

As consumers snap up smartphones and tap into tablets, wireless networks are struggling to keep up with the massive increase in Web browsing, gaming, image-sharing, video streaming and downloading. Mobile devices are now one of the chief means for consuming not only Web content but also TV shows, movies and other media. While providers have seen data services as their future, their success is coming home to roost. As current networks grow overloaded, flat-rate pricing is giving way to tiered or usage-based data plans to help wireless providers pay for such improvements as LTE and 4G networks. Does the next generation of mobile technology look viable as an economical content delivery system for either service providers or content companies? Do the new tablets demonstrate that mobile consumption is not just the future but the here and now? Should content providers and distributors help pay for upgrades? Are there examples we can draw on in foreign markets?

Moderator:
Betsy Zeidman, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; Director, Compass Program, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights

Soaring gasoline prices are sparking renewed investor interest in alternative fuels. But energy efficiency is clearly the hottest trend for 2011, with others being energy products tied to cloud computing and building controls. Scheduling technologies, power electronics and smart grid-oriented products are also on the radar. With investment approaching pre-recession levels, which technologies will win or lose? How will new policies and financing options impact development? Some experts predict a return to early-stage venture investing, as well as greater competition for solar and wind from natural gas. Will this be the year of the IPO? Will the Chinese market be a game-changer for the industry? What will be the near-term effects of the real or perceived scarcity of oil, rare earth elements and other commodities?

Moderator:
Dennis Kneale, Senior Correspondent, Fox Business Network

U.S. films and TV series are judged not only on their domestic market, but also on the ability to sell overseas. It's often been said that culture is America's greatest export - but today it's a pretty significant import, too. Ideas are flowing both ways: Foreign films can rack up major U.S. box office receipts, while multiple reality and talent shows, as well as concepts like "The Office," arrived in the U.S. courtesy of international producers. It's no longer just a matter of adding subtitles or dubbing into other languages - today, shows and cable movies might be fully remade and reshot in multiple markets to fit the local context. How does the globalization of entertainment affect business decisions - and creative direction? Are business models keeping up with technology innovations like mobile video streaming platforms? How do international standards of intellectual property protection affect the equation?