The future of the investment management industry is quite bright, according the 200 or so participants at the Operations for Alternatives conference last week in Palm Beach Gardens. Amidst tornado warnings and significant sideways rainfall, investors and managers alike discussed the future of the industry and how new products are being launched and new distribution channels are being created to deliver returns, even amidst significant market volatility. It is clear from the discussions that investors are looking to understand where yield is coming from and what their true exposures are in terms of both individual and portfoliowide positions.
Transparency and increased regulation globally seemed to be on the minds of all delegates, and the conversation around these two issues was extensive, significant and to the point. Now that the rules regarding JOBS, Volcker and even FACTA are set, managers are finding ways to work within the regulations to expand their businesses. Investors even seem to like the way the new regulations are providing more structure to the industry.
The intention of OFA was to create a meaningful and continuing dialogue among investors, managers and service providers. The event and online community are focused on providing each group with an opportunity to exchange ideas, get information and learn from each other to create more efficient operations across all investment management products.
To learn more about the online community as well as next year’s event, go to www.ofa.america.com
The next HEDGEAnswers conference call is March 26 at 10.00 am. Click here to register now and get in on the discussion!
THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY
Recently, I witnessed an irate passenger on f light from Palm Beach to Newark. The passenger was upset that he could not sit in an emergency exit row and “help” in the event of an emergency. The flight attendant tried to explain that there is an additional fee for sitting in the row; the passenger did not like hearing this at all. He continued to harass the flight attendant to the point that the captain had to come out of the cockpit and talk to him. The result: The plane was delayed, the passenger complained for the entire trip and the flight attendant was frustrated. I realize that additional fees on planes are a problem — frankly, it bothers me too, and to no end that all the airlines seem to nickel-and-dime us, but to make such a big fuss that the plane is delayed is just annoying.