NBC's Chris Matthews to Speak at 2005 Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference

NBC's Chris Matthews to Speak at 2005 Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference

Host of MSNBC's `Hardball' will discuss his experiences in journalism and politics before East Coast's largest gathering of private equity investors

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Philadelphia Venture Group (GPVG) today announced that Chris Matthews, creator and host of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and star of NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show," will be a featured keynote speaker at the 2005 Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference (MAVC), to be held October 17th and 18th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Chris Matthews will offer his experiences as both an award-winning journalist and political authority. Prior to his television career, Matthews served as the Washington Bureau Chief of the San Francisco Examiner and a national columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, reporting on such major news stories as the opening of the Berlin Wall, the Good Friday peace talks in Northern Ireland, and the first all-races election in South Africa. During his political days, Matthews was a presidential speechwriter and White House aide to President Jimmy Carter, and a top assistant to U.S. Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr.

"I am eager to return to my Philadelphia roots and address the area's leading entrepreneurs and investors at the Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference," says Matthews. "After many years in journalism and politics, I have acquired a sincere appreciation for the dedicated people that spearhead growth in industries like technology, services, and life sciences. The MAVC helps build the professional relationships that last a lifetime and contribute significantly to the success of our economy."

Matthews will kick off the MAVC's programming on Tuesday, October 18, at 7:30 a.m., in the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Following the address, the MAVC will include presentations by 60 "Featured Companies" seeking venture funding, luncheon entertainment by The Capitol Steps, and a closing keynote speech by Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman and co-founder of Miramax Films.

The MAVC is the GPVG's preeminent annual event and the largest networking conference for the East Coast's private equity community. For 16 years, the MAVC has helped top investors, investment bankers, commercial lenders, professional advisors, and service providers forge relationships with promising entrepreneurs to create some of the nation's most successful growth companies. Between 1998 and 2003, MAVC Featured Companies have raised more than $2.6 billion in capital.

The MAVC will feature dual presentation tracks, Technology & Services and Life Sciences, including presentations by more than 60 Featured Companies with tremendous growth opportunities.

For more information about the 2005 Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference, please visit http://www.mavc.org/. For media inquiries, contact Kristy Lash at 610-642-8253 or Kristy@GregoryFCA.com.

About GPVG

The GPVG Vision is to be the catalyst organization promoting the Greater Philadelphia region's status as one of North America's top private equity markets. The GPVG Mission is to foster a world-class private equity and entrepreneurial environment for our constituents - private equity, institutional and angel investors, entrepreneurs and service providers - through the support of programs and infrastructure that generate compelling investment opportunities; frequent and pervasive networking opportunities; initiatives that raise the Greater Philadelphia region's positive economic profile; and effective, high quality private equity education programs.

Press Contact: Kristy Lash Senior Account Executive Gregory FCA 27 W. Athens Ave. Ardmore, Pa. 19003 610-642-8253 Kristy@GregoryFCA.com

Company Contact: Suzy Carney Executive Director Greater Philadelphia Venture Group 200 S. Broad St., Suite 700 Philadelphia, Pa. 19102-3896 215-790-3660 SCarney@GPVG.com

Source: Greater Philadelphia Venture Group

CONTACT: Press: Kristy Lash, Senior Account Executive, Gregory FCA, +1-610-642-8253, Kristy@GregoryFCA.com, for Greater Philadelphia Venture Group; or Suzy Carney, Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Venture Group, +1-215-790-3660, SCarney@GPVG.com

Web site: http://www.mavc.org/

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