After a very successful event in 2011, we now look ahead to this year’s GAIM International 2012 event in Monte Carlo in June.  Victoria Chatterton, Senior Conference Director, gives us a snapshot of what to expect.

Victoria Chatterton

This year’s GAIM International conference is centered around the following big picture themes.  These reflect both the economic environment and the evolution of the hedge fund industry:

• Evolving Investor Opinions On Manager Selection and Asset Allocation - our investor focussed summit on Monday the 18^th is aimed at demonstrating investor sentiment, offering up-to-date investor perspectives on manager selection and asset allocation and aligning investor and manager interests.
• Making Money In Volatile Times - Day 1 of the Main Conference focuses on the economy and how recent and future changes should impact investment strategies.  Basically, the sessions are asking renowned market makers and investment strategists: where is the smart money going?!
• Business Strategies For A Low Return & High Regulation Era – Day 2 of the Main Conference explores how the hedge fund business is evolving in light of regulation, low returns and investor preferences
• Hedge Fund Regulation & The Way Forward For Hedge Fund Distribution- Day 2 of the Main Conference also looks at the regulation on the horizon and the increasingly important role of UCITS & Managed Accounts in this era.

How Has The Global Economic Climate And Euro Crisis Impacted The European Hedge Fund Industry & How Is That Represented In The Conference Agenda?

It has been a tough few years for the industry and many big name managers are not doing as well as they have in the past; there is lots of change and upheaval.  However, from research with investors, it is clear that manager skill is really taking center stage in these volatile times.  There is more differentiation in performance in the same investment strategies.  We have reflected this by increasing investor discussions on manager selection and locating alpha instead of alternative beta.  In addition, volatility has become a much more popular strategy and for the first time we have a panel on tail risk and also a panel on volatility as an alpha strategy to reflect this.  Of course, there is the increasing importance of what have been seen as traditionally back office functions such as risk management and due diligence.  Risk management is now so much more integral to the hedge fund and the investment process; it is no longer seen as a box-ticking exercise.  As a result of this we have extended our thinking on this and have included two new panels, one on due diligence and one on risk management.  Finally, of course, regulation is now at the forefront of the hedge fund industry and talk of the AIFMD is increasing.  So, for the first time we have a regulatory clinic to ensure regulation is addressed and there is a chance for attendees to question the experts on pending changes.

So What Else Is New For 2012?

When you arrive, the event will look very new because we are in a new venue for 2012!  In response to delegate feedback about the impersonal nature of the previous convention center and the fact that it made the event very spread out, we have relocated to the luxurious Meridien Beach Plaza.  This venue has enabled us to launch our GAIM Global Village which is a central networking area which will provide ample space, comfort and inspiration for more effective manager/investor networking opportunities.  We have new features such as the GAIM Smoothie Bar (a healthy option instead of the croissants!), the GAIM News Room (an area to keep up to date with the papers and the news on TV), the GAIM meeting zone to host important meetings and a business center also.  It will provide the event with a true community feel!

Tell Us Some Of The Speaker Highlights For 2012

I am very excited by the speaker line up this year!  In addition to fantastic end investors (we have more speaking than ever before!) and top managers debating investment strategies and business models, we also have the most impressive line up of keynote speakers!

Firstly, Professor Niall Ferguson of HARVARD UNIVERSITY & Jamil Baz, the Chief Investment Strategist at GLG PARTNERS, will be offering the historical and the financial perspective on the limits of macroeconomic policy.  I am sure that the room will be crowded for this session!

Secondly, we have a special entrepreneurial address from Peter Thiel, the founder Of Paypal & the first investor in Facebook.  Peter Thiel, President of Clarium Capital will be offering insight on how we can develop the developed world

Thirdly, back by popular demand: Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Principal of Universa Investments and renowned author of ‘The Black Swan’ will be joining us to discuss one of the important theories he mentions in his book: ‘On Some Useful Properties Of Barbells’

Finally, as I alluded to earlier, we have More End Investors Speaking Than Ever Before. For 2012, we have the following institutions offering insight and advice: Colorado Fire & Police Pension, MN Services, Howard Hughes Medical Centre Investment Office, Wake Forest University, Nationwide Pension Fund, University Of Richmond, CERN Pension Fund, Barclays Pension Fund, The Ohio State University, The Associate Press, Yeshiva University, Grosvenor Estate, Teachers Retirement System Of Texas

What Are You Personally Most Looking Forward To At GAIM International This Year?

I really enjoy the buzz around this event and the opportunity to meet so many interesting people. The hedge fund industry has so many personalities and high achievers with fascinating stories to tell (both about work and personal achievements).  I also love seeing the culmination of a year’s work come together and so much business being done as a result – it is mindboggling to think about how many business cards are exchanged in the space of the conference and how many new industry connections are made.  Finally, I am a bit of a history geek so I am also really looking forward to Niall Ferguson and Jamil Baz’s session on the limits of macroeconomic policy – I will certainly be taking notes!

GAIM International 2012 is running from 18 – 20 June 2012 at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, Monte Carlo. For more information on GAIM, including agendas, speaker line-ups, or to book your place, click here to visit the GAIM website.