-Agenda
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
| Tue 11:00 AM - 11:10 AM |
Welcome & Overview
Welcome to the Intro Public-Private Partnership (P3) Finance Course. During this time, we will introduce CDFA, explain how to use the online course software, and discuss the framework for the course.
Speaker(s)
- Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies
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| Tue 11:10 AM - 11:50 AM |
Understanding Public-Private Partnerships
Development finance projects can involve many forms of collaboration between the public and private sectors. This Intro P3 Finance course focuses specifically on public-private partnership (P3) financing models that are structured through a contractual agreement between a public agency and a private partner. These agreements support the construction, development, and ongoing operations and maintenance of public assets.
The opening session introduces core definitions and foundational concepts, identifies the key partners involved and categorizes the major types of P3s.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 11:50 AM - 12:15 PM |
P3 in the United States: Key Characteristics
Public-Private Partnerships continue to play an important role in delivering infrastructure and public facilities across the United States, particularly as federal funding initiatives emphasize large-scale investment, innovation, and risk sharing. This session explores the current U.S. P3 landscape, including the market conditions, policy environment, and practical factors that influence when and how P3s are used.
Industry experts will examine the legislative and regulatory frameworks that enable P3 projects, highlight common characteristics across sectors, and discuss the key economic, financial, and policy drivers shaping P3 activity nationwide.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM |
Identifying P3 Project Potential
Not every project is a good fit for a Public-Private Partnership and knowing the difference can save time, money, and political capital. This session helps participants learn how to identify projects that are well-suited for P3 delivery and assess whether market conditions support private sector participation. Attendees will explore how to evaluate project readiness, understand market interest, and complete the key analyses needed before moving a P3 forward, giving them the insight to pursue the right projects the right way.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 12:45 PM - 12:55 PM |
Break
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| Tue 12:55 PM - 2:00 PM |
P3 Deal Stucturing: Balancing Debt & Equity
Understanding how P3 projects are financed is critical to structuring deals that are both bankable and publicly responsible. This session demystifies the P3 capital stack by explaining how public assets remain publicly owned while private partners bring together debt and equity to finance long-term delivery. Participants will explore the most common P3 financing approaches including availability payments and asset monetization, along with their tradeoffs, risks, and use cases. By the end of this session, attendees will have a clearer picture of how revenue, valuation, and capital structure come together to shape a successful P3 transaction.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 2:00 PM - 3:10 PM |
Negotiating the Terms & Managing Risk
The success of a Public-Private Partnership hinges on how it's structured. This session focuses on the art of negotiating P3 agreements that protect the public interest while creating a workable, attractive framework for private partners. Participants will explore key contractual terms and legal considerations that shape performance, accountability, and long-term outcomes, as well as the strategies used to identify, manage, and allocate risk. By understanding how risks and responsibilities are balanced across partners, attendees will be better equipped to negotiate agreements that lead to durable projects and productive partnerships.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 3:10 PM - 3:20 PM |
Break
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| Tue 3:20 PM - 4:10 PM |
P3 Case Studies
Seeing how Public-Private Partnerships work in practice brings the concepts to life. This session examines a range of real-world P3 projects, highlighting how different partners structured their deals, assembled the capital stack, and managed long-term performance. Through comparative case studies, participants will explore what worked and what didn’t and gain practical insights that can inform future P3 planning and decision-making. The session emphasizes lessons learned and transferable strategies that can be applied to projects across sectors and jurisdictions.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 4:10 PM - 4:55 PM |
Unique P3 Models & Approaches
Public-Private Partnerships are not one-size-fits-all, and traditional P3 structures are only part of the toolbox. This final session expands the conversation by exploring alternative and emerging partnership models including: public-public partnerships and other creative approaches to project delivery. Participants will consider how P3 principles can be adapted to local contexts, constraints, and policy goals. The session concludes with an interactive discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions, test ideas, and reflect on how these models might apply within their own communities.
Speaker(s)
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| Tue 4:55 PM - 5:00 PM |
Closing Discussion / Final Questions
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