Kiva News: Microfinance USA Conference 2011: Customize your agenda today!

Microfinance USA Conference

May 23-24, 2011

Metropolitan Pavilion, New York City

*A limited quantity of tickets are still available for this event. Visit www.microfinanceusaconference.org to register today!*

As we prepare for the Microfinance USA Conference 2011 later this month, we want to tell you more about what to expect from this much-anticipated event! Kiva is co-presenting this year's conference with Opportunity Fund and AccionUSA to explore and expand the latest conversation on microfinance in the US.

With more than 200 speakers and over 40 panels, how will you make the most of your time at MFUSA this year? Below is a sample agenda, which you can customize to your own interests after registering! Tell @Kiva on Twitter which sessions you are most excited to attend!

For a full agenda and speaker bios, visit this page.

May 23, Day 1

9:30 (Monday) - Opening Session

10:45 - Savings: The Future of Microfinance

Featuring Dean Karlan, Innovations for Poverty Action, Yale University

12:00 - Microentrepreneur Tour

Hop on a bus and visit microfinance borrowers at their places of business throughout the New York City Area. Hear from entrepreneurs directly. Visit cafes, beauty salons, clothing stores, and more! Boxed lunch will be provided.

1:00 - Financial Diaries: New Focus on the U.S. from the Authors of Portfolios of the Poor - Session Room: Manhattan

Daryl Collins, Bankable Frontiers

Jonathan Morduch, NYU Wagner School, New York University

Rachel Schneider, CFSI

2:00 - Understanding the Underbanked Consumer & the Future of Financial Services

Eleni Constantine, Pew Charitable Trusts

Rachel Schneider, Center for Financial Services Innovation

Justine Zinkin, Credit Where Credit Is Due

3:15 - Networking Break - or stop by the Conference Bookstore!

3:45 - Social Entrepreneurship & Microfinance

Simonida Cvejic, Bay Area Medical Academy

Susan Davis, BRAC USA

Jessica Jackley, ProFounder

Natalia Oberti Noguera, Pipeline Fund

5:30 - Cocktail Reception

Join us at 230 Fifth, one of NYC's premiere rooftop bars, for spectacular views and tasty bites from ACCION's microfinance entrepreneurs. Cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres will be served with the backdrop of the city immediately following the first day of the conference.

May 24th - Day Two

9:30 (Tuesday) - Balancing Act: Mission, Profit & Impact

Carlos Danel, Compartamos

Errol Damelin, Wonga

Adam Davidson, Planet Money, NPR

Ananya Roy, University of California, Berkeley

Felix Salmon, Reuters

Eric Weaver, Opportunity Fund

1:30: Entrepreneurs Supporting Microentrepreneurs

Tory Burch, Tory Burch LLC and the Tory Burch Foundation

Jim Koch, Sam Adams

Stacy Madison, Fireman Capital Partners