MICROFINANCE EVENT: Third Annual Global Microfinance Investment Congress to Be Hosted in New York City May 24 – May 26, 2010 by PlaNet Finance

Event Name: Third Annual Global Microfinance Investment Congress

Event Date: May 24 – May 26, 2010

Event Location: New York, New York

Event Website: http://www.microfinancecongress.com/

See Our Comprehensive Event Calendar Here: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

Cost: Congress only – USD 1595; Congress and Workshop – USD 2095. Discounts available for early registration (by March 26 and by April 16) as well as a USD 200 discount MicroCapital Monitor subscribers.

Summary of Event: The Global Microfinance Investor Congress intends to provide a place for representatives of microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs), microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other industry stakeholders to meet, collaborate and share best practices.

Background on Organizer:

PlaNet Finance is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with the mission of developing microfinance to alleviate poverty. It was founded in 1998 in Paris, France, and is currently active in over 80 countries. PlaNet Finance is comprised of eight independent units: PlaNet Finance Advisory Services, which provides technical and advisory services; Planet Rating, a microfinance rating agency; PlaNIS, which specializes in advisory services, structuring and managing microfinance funds; MicroCred, an investment company in microfinance; PlaNet Guarantee, which specializes in microinsurance; FinanCites, a social venture capital company; MicroFit, a microfinance software unit; and PlaNet University, a microfinance training center.

Event Themes and Discussion Topics:

– The impact of economic contraction, currency depreciation and scarcity of credit on microfinance

– How investors are viewing the value proposition of microfinance in the aftermath of the global financial crisis

– The performance of microfinance portfolios since the financial crisis – what happened to returns? Where has microfinance failed and why? Will we go back to pre-crisis growth rates and profitability?

– Ways in which to attract new investors to microfinance and further the mission for financial inclusion

– Ensuring sustainable growth of the industry through the application of environmental, social, governance reporting and innovations in information technology

– Strategic financial risk management strategies for microfinance institutions

– The viability of consolidation or mergers and acquisitions as a growth strategy

– Managing and mitigating foreign exchange and credit risks

– Leveraging microfinance as a model for social impact investing

Who Is Invited to Attend:

Commercial banks, institutional investors, private investors, microfinance institutions, development agencies and microfinance consultants and legal advisors

About the Presenters:

Brian Treslad, Chief Investment Officer, Acumen Fund

Ann J. Miles, Managing Director, BlueOrchard Finance USA, Inc

Lisa Hall, Chief Lending Officer and Executive Vice President, Calvert Foundation

John A. Simon, Visiting Fellow, Center for Global Development

Len Battifarano, Senior Vice-president and Commercial Marketing Officer, Chartis International

For information on additional speakers, please see the conference’s webpage: http://www.microfinancecongress.com/speakers.htm

Online Registration: https://transactions.c5groupinc.com/event_reg.php?conf=2305&site=2&lang=en&gap=4

For additional information, please contact:

Global Microfinance Investment Congress
c/o American Conference Institute

41 West 25th St, 9th floor
New York, NY 10010, USA

Telephone: +1 480 927 8200