ADVISORY/KPMG Hosting Forum: The Current Landscape of Mergers and Acquisitions.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (March 19)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

KPMG Hosting Forum: The Current Landscape of Mergers and Acquisitions
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Hilton Santa Clara
7:30 - 10:00 a.m. PT

      The landscape in mergers and acquisitions market has changed in
the past year in response to three major events: the economic
downturn, high-profile financial restatements, and new risk
perceptions due to September 11th. KPMG LLP, a professional services
firm, is hosting a panel discussion and breakfast to facilitate a
discussion around such issues as:

      -- Transaction trends in the technology market

      -- The pipeline of deal opportunities

      -- Investor reactions to the new FASB and SEC guidelines

      -- Market opportunities in private equity

      -- Changes in the M&A climate from a strategic buyer's viewpoint

      The panel will feature the following experts:

      --  Marc Bodnick, Partner, Silver Lake Partners

      --  David Fishman, VP, Technology M&A, Goldman Sachs & Co.

      --  Richard Hanley, Principal, Transaction Services, KPMG LLP

      --  Robert B. "Brad" Henske, Sr. VP and Chief Financial Officer,
        Synopsys

      --  Carrie Wheeler, Partner, Texas Pacific Group

      --  Panel Moderator: Anthony B. Perkins, Chairman, Co-founder and
        Editor-in-Chief, Red Herring

Date:             Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Location:         Hilton Santa Clara, 4949 Great America Parkway,
                  Santa Clara CA 95054
Time:             7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. PDT (Breakfast will be
 served)
Admission:        Free

About KPMG:

KPMG LLP is the accounting and tax firm that understands the needs of business in the global economy. We help our clients by devising results-oriented business strategies, providing insights that help them stay ahead of the competition and achieve market-leading results. KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International's member firms have more than 108,000 professionals, including 7,000 partners, in 159 countries.