As 2010 draws to a close, it's time to start making plans for 2011. What better way to spend your time in the new year than networking with colleagues at an industry conference? We spoke with industry experts about which conferences they get the most out of and came up with a list of eight not-to-be-missed events in wealth management, private equity, compliance, risk, hedge funds, M&A, trading and insurance.
1. For wealth management: SIFMA's annual private client conference
What: SIFMA, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, a finance industry group, presents a program on how financial advisors and private wealth managers can better serve clients and build their businesses.
When: April 7-8, 2011
Where: New York City
Who:
-- John Taft, CEO, RBC U.S. Wealth Management
-- Kent Christian, president, Financial Services Group, Wells Fargo Advisors
-- Steven Samuels, managing director, Global Advisor Communications, BAML
How You Get in: Register on this page. It's $995 for SIFMA members and $1295 for non-members.
2. For private equity: Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst Outlook
What: Top editors at Dow Jones (parent to FINS) and The Wall Street Journal host panel discussions, keynote speeches and other events focused on the coming year in private equity.
When: January 25-26, 2011
Where: New York City
Who:
-- Chris Gordon, managing director, Bain Capital
-- Daniel Henninger, deputy editor, editorial page, The Wall Street Journal
-- Roger B. Kafker, managing director, TA Associates
How You Get in: Register on this page. It's $2,095 per person, but you can get $300 off if you register by December 31.
3. For compliance, accounting and risk management: Compliance Week 2011
What: Trade magazine Compliance Week hosts executives from major corporations and regulators to talk about new rules and trends in corporate compliance.
When: May 24-25, 2011
Where: Washington, D.C.
Who:
-- Howard Scheck, SEC chief accountant, enforcement division
-- Barney Frank was a big draw last year.
How You Get in: Register on this page. Fees are $1,895 for subscribers to the magazine and $2,295 for non-subscribers. If you register before December 31, you can save $300.
4. FINRA and SEC CCOutreach Broker Dealer National Seminar
What: FINRA and the SEC host one day of events on four big topics in regulation -- Dodd-Frank, money laundering, regulators' examination priorities, and electronic communications.
When: February 8, 2011
Where: Washington, D.C.
Who:
-- Mary Schapiro, Chairman, SEC
-- Richard G. Ketchum, Chairman and CEO, FINRA
-- Carlo di Florio, Director, Office of Compliance, Inspections and Examinations
How You Get in: Register through this website. There's no cost to attend the event, but space is limited to 500. Preference will given to chief compliance officers of FINRA-registered broker-dealer firms and senior compliance staff.
5. For hedgies: Ira Sohn Investment Research Conference
What: The Ira Sohn Research Conference Foundation brings together big-name investors talking big-time investment ideas.
When: May 25, 2011
Where: New York City
Who Will Be There: TBD. But the 2010 conference saw the likes of Bill Ackman, David Einhorn and David Tepper. Because the conference features heavy-hitters, it attracts a lot of media buzz.
How You Get in: You can register through this website. Details on cost aren't available yet.
6. For M&A: The Deal Economy
What: The Deal magazine hosts Wall Street deal makers and Washington policy makers who come together to talk about every aspect of the art of the deal.
When: TBD (this year's conference was in December 2010).
Where: New York City
Who: TBD. This year's speakers included Rodgin Cohen and Ken Moelis.
How You Get in: Invite only. To request an invitation, e-mail David Barry.
7. For trading: Profit & Loss Asia 2011
What: Profit & Loss magazine hosts fund managers and traders to chat about growth opportunities in Asia, high frequency trading and foreign exchange.
When: January 19-20, 2011
Where: Singapore
Who:
-- David Clark, chairman, The Wholesale Markets Brokers' Association
-- Tai Hui, regional head of research, South East Asia, The Standard Chartered Bank
How You Get in: Register on the event page. Contact the magazine to see registration prices.
8. For life insurance: 2011 Life Insurance Conference
What: The Society of Actuaries, LIMRA, American Council of Life Insurers and LOMA bring together life insurance professionals from all areas of the industry.
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
When: April 11-13, 2011
Who: TBD.
How You Get in: Register on the event page. The fee for non-members of the organizations is $1,495.
Write to Julie Steinberg