Previous Conference Discussion Topics

Canadian Conference

"Memory & The Turbocharged Brain"
You have just been introduced to a group of 5 people, all potential clients, and two minutes later...you can't remember any of their names.

A client asks you for certain product information. Not quite sure of the answer, you offer, "Let me look that up, and I'll get back to you." Then you forget to follow up.

In the middle of an important presentation...uh…duhh…you forget a key point.

What's that client's phone number? Is it 555-1287 or 555-1827? Where is my PDA?

Did any of these situations sound familiar?

When common memory lapses like these occur, it not only leads to frustration, embarrassment and lost credibility...it carries a negative image. Conversely, an excellent memory conveys the image of success and of someone who is in control.

"Living in the Future"
What is in store for the future of investment industry? What changes can we expect?

"Differentiating Yourself When Time is of the Essence"
Making the most of the time you have with your prospects, consultants and clients is essential. Whether you have sixty, twenty, or two minutes, differentiating yourself during that time can make a meaningful impact on the success of your meeting.

"Investment Industry in 2010"
Looking ahead to 2010, McKinsey & Company sees an asset management industry that looks markedly different than it does today.

"Meet the Plan Sponsor - A Roundtable"
A rare opportunity to meet top plan sponsors in an intimate roundtable setting. Ask them the questions you have always wanted to the answers to and learn more about how to gain access and meet their needs.

"Consultant No Holds Barred"
Now it's your turn to ask the questions, especially the tough ones you always wanted to ask but couldn't or wouldn't.

Hedge Fund Conference

"The State of the Hedge Fund Industry"

• A global perspective of the hedge fund industry from regulatory changes to the hottest new funds
• The role of hedge funds now play in portfolio and how institutions are capitalizing on their benefits
• The growing competition and blurring of the lines between hedge fund providers and buyers
• Addressing the Headlines: from Amaranth to alpha loss, from Sowood to subprime - topics that have caught media and investor attention and their impact on the growth and shifting of the hedge fund marketplace.

"Demystifying the Myths of Hedge Funds"
This panel will present the most classic myths behind hedge fund investing and demystify them. From fees and transparency to leverage and capacity, we share the answers to the ongoing myths that galvanize an industry and often paralyze new hedge fund investors.

"Challenges from the Buyers' Point of View"
Some of the top global buyers of hedge funds will discuss:

• How their appetite for hedge fund investments has changed
• The changing profile of a hedge fund investor and what any buyer must consider before making a substantial hedge fund investment
• How they apply hedge funds and what are their expectations
• The new strategies they are using to capitalize on these alpha engines and beta blockers

"The Changing Face of Consulting"

• The top consultants in the global industry will go into great detail on how they've changed their business models, services and priorities with regard to hedge fund investing and recommending hedge funds to their clients.
• Some consulting firms are now funds of funds themselves, as well as asset allocators and consultants. In this session, three consultants who have effectively bridged the gap will explain how the walls have been constructed to obliterate perceived conflicts of interest.
• The top hedge fund allocators will detail what their clients are seeking and how the early interest in classic multi-strat funds of funds has changed to accommodate non-correlation, distribution and maturity and a sophistication in their approach to alternative investing

"Evolution of Hedge Fund Business Models"
This panel will delve deep into building a sustainable, integrated, global hedge fund/fund of funds business in the market today. Learn what questions to ask and how to best position your business in the global distribution channels deploying capital to hedge funds. Raising assets will depend on knowing where to be and what to have in your arsenal to win against a growing competitor roster.

Annual Conference

"The Most Effective Way to Call on Public Pensions & Taft Hartley"
The public and Taft-Hartley segments represent a huge market opportunity. Hear tips and thoughts to make your efforts more effective, from seasoned salespeople as well as a prominent consultant.

"What Corporates, Foundations and Endowments Respect in Marketers?"
What makes a Corporate Treasurer or an Endowment of Foundation CIO take your phone call or meet with you? Is it your Firm, your performance numbers or you? Some lessons from a few road warriors on how to get through to those Not for Profit and Corporate plan sponsors.

"Establishing a Consistent Presence with Consulting Firms"
Calling on consultants is a true marathon. You've heard the words of wisdom: Sell the way consultants want to buy. Keep surprises at a minimum. Communicate as much as in the bad times as in the good times. Be considerate of consultants' time. Respect communication protocols. Know your customer. Hear how to execute these strategies at your firm and sell them to management from these seasoned professionals. Persistence pays when building a relationship with consultants. This session will provide a perspective on striking the right balance between a persistent professional and perennial pesk.

"CIO Outsourcing Trends"
This panel of Endowment experts will provide insight into the current marketplace, where Endowment Executives are searching for Alpha and how important current topics such as the outsourced CIO trend and pending legislation will impact your effectiveness in calling on this market.

"Writing for Success"
What makes a business message successful and what can make it fail? We all use e-mails and we write proposals, announcements, specifications and procedures: what are the keys to making them work? When should you follow the rules and when should you break them? What is the most common cause of communication failure in a business document? In this session you will learn the keys to successful business writing.

"Challenges Facing Consulting Firms Today"
Get the inside view from three veterans in the consulting industry about the discussions they have within the walls of their firms.

Public Pensions and Taft Hartley Roundtable Discussion
Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet with some of the leading top Public Plan and Taft Hartley representatives in an interactive and intimate setting. Ask them the questions you have always wanted the answers to and learn how to gain access and meeting their long-term retirement goals.

Corporates, Endowments & Foundations Roundtable
The plan sponsor roundtables allow members to gain access and insights from corporate/endowment /foundation professionals. You will participate in successive meetings with each of the professionals in attendance and the roundtable format allows for an open dialogue, so you walk away with information that will make you more productive in your future efforts.

Consultants Roundtable
Always one of our most popular forums. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, ask questions and listen to top consultants share their insights as to which asset classes are hot, and which are not. There's no formality and no audience - just you and your fellow marketers discussing manager search activity, organizational updates, how best to communicate with these influential consultants, and more. You'll gain great insights into top consulting firms and begin the process of building relationships with these people in an intimate and interactive setting.

"Fresh Perspectives-Independent Thinking"
Today's independent and specialist consultants are providing cutting edge solutions to a variety of Alternative and Traditional investment needs. As marketers, understanding how they select managers and the trends they see in allocating assets will be critical to the success of our firms. Our panelists will examine how the current market environment is affecting recommendations and implementation strategies for their clients.

"The Changing Face of Hedge Funds"
Investors will discuss:

• The new strategies they are using
• How do they apply Hedge Funds and what are their expectations
• The changing profile of a Hedge Fund investor and what any investor must consider before allocating

"Passport to Success - Expanding Your Distribution Opportunities"
It is imperative to understand the market nuances and opportunities if you intend to expand your client base beyond the U.S. This panel of experienced international marketing professionals will provide market overview, update you on current opportunities and provide insight on the most effective way to access prospective clients in Canada, Europe, The Middle East and Australia.

"Investment Challenges Facing Healthcare Systems Today"
Collectively, non-profit hospitals are doing as well as they ever have. However, recent volatile markets, the credit crunch, and other threats have coincided to create significant challenges for the investment of hospital portfolios. On this panel, we will be addressing the various buckets in which healthcare institutions invest and the issues they face at each step of the way.

"Effective Communication"
When we speak to an audience, whether to one person or a hundred, our goal is to influence their opinions and, ultimately, their actions. The best speakers accomplish this without force, manipulation or trickery. They establish a profound relationship with the audience and offer alternative behavior possibilities that are clear and compelling. While they are deeply committed to their message, they also know that no communication will succeed without great delivery.

"Client Service Expectations"
The panel will discuss client service expectations of plan sponsors and best practices employed by asset managers who excel in client service, based on more than 4,000 interviews with institutional clients and consultants. The panel will also discuss leveraging technology so client service personnel have more time to do what they do best — proactively assist clients and retain assets — particularly important in periods of extreme market volatility, turmoil, and uncertainty.

"Senior Marker Insights"
Marketing is not an event, but a process…it has a beginning, a middle, but never an end, for it is a process. You improve it, perfect it, change it, and over time you try and master it. Our panel of senior institutional marketers will discuss their "secrets" of success and what it will take to ensure your firm's competitive advantage in this increasingly complicated marketplace.