As arguably the most consistently profitable asset class in the alternatives sector, private equity (PE) has experienced rapid growth across different industries and geographies. This expansion makes it more challenging than ever to monitor trends in sponsor practices (i.e., growth in emerging managers) and burgeoning investment areas (i.e., pivots to infrastructure and natural resources). To assist with this, Monument Group, a global placement agent, recently hosted a roundtable discussion about recent trends in the PE industry. This first article in a two-part series describes insights from Bart Molloy and Lori Campana, managing directors and partners at Monument Group, on emerging PE managers; trends in real estate fees and asset types; and interesting wrinkles in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors. The second article will include perspectives from other Monument Group managing directors and partners on operational due diligence trends and PE investment opportunities in Asia, as well as from the co-founders of Mozaic Capital Advisors on trends in the PE secondary market. For additional commentary on current trends in the PE industry, see our two-part series: “Investors Demand Variations to PE Management Fees and Distribution Waterfalls” (Apr. 16, 2019); and “Recent Trends in PE Fundraising, Fund Governance Terms and Marketplace Initiatives” (Apr. 23, 2019).