You may get more nitty gritty for your buck this year.
All moderators for panel discussions over the week have been issued with strict instructions to stop panellists indulging in individual presentations or lengthy - and glowing - introductions of their company.
This was the single biggest complaint from Monaco last year and left delegates starved of actual debate - or as the organisers put it: Such presentations "coloured the intellectual takeaway for the audience."
Of course, there are sceptics who doubt contributors will be able to stop themselves. The urge to wax lyrical about their firm's talents in front of an industry audience may indeed prove too much for some - and it will be interesting to note the new techniques employed to subtly hammer home their point.
Monday, June 30, 2008
SWFS EXAMINED
Tomorrow at 2 pm I'll be hosting a discussion on some of the myths surrounding Sovereign Wealth Funds and the opportunities at hand for delegates.
Some initial discussions with the panellists have drawn a tentative view that the rise of vast state funds should be result in a net benefit; but there remains a fear that fund managers will only have a brief time in the spotlight before SWFs bring expertise back in house as quickly as they can.
Our reporter Claire Milhench took a look at this issue last month. You can read her piece here:
INTERVIEW SWFs will diversify investments, but fund managers may miss out
Another issue likely to figure in the debate on Tuesday will be potential conflicts of interest faced by those funds underpinned by soaring oil revenues. There was a timely piece yesterday in the Sunday Times which highlights one angle on this story; you can read it here:
Double boon for oil nations from the soaring price of crude
Some initial discussions with the panellists have drawn a tentative view that the rise of vast state funds should be result in a net benefit; but there remains a fear that fund managers will only have a brief time in the spotlight before SWFs bring expertise back in house as quickly as they can.
Our reporter Claire Milhench took a look at this issue last month. You can read her piece here:
INTERVIEW SWFs will diversify investments, but fund managers may miss out
Another issue likely to figure in the debate on Tuesday will be potential conflicts of interest faced by those funds underpinned by soaring oil revenues. There was a timely piece yesterday in the Sunday Times which highlights one angle on this story; you can read it here:
Double boon for oil nations from the soaring price of crude
CAMPEONES
Spain's thrilling win over Germany in Sunday's European Championship final will no doubt be felt at the Forum when it opens it doors tomorrow morning.
The country has gone wild after claiming its first major title in 44 years, and organisers will be hoping that the ensuing collective stupor of a 2-day hangover doesn't result in the conference kicking off in a sluggish mood. I'll be keeping a keen eye out for the most bleary-eyed staff; spilling the fund managers tea; falling asleep at the conference mixing desk; or mumbling tired expletives at their more surly guests.
And with the party likely to go on all week, it will be interesting to see how many of the early morning sessions are graced by the 20-odd Spanish delegates at the three-day conference - while for the 37 German delegates, it may be that three tortuous days in a jubilant Spain are simply too awful to contemplate at all.
The country has gone wild after claiming its first major title in 44 years, and organisers will be hoping that the ensuing collective stupor of a 2-day hangover doesn't result in the conference kicking off in a sluggish mood. I'll be keeping a keen eye out for the most bleary-eyed staff; spilling the fund managers tea; falling asleep at the conference mixing desk; or mumbling tired expletives at their more surly guests.
And with the party likely to go on all week, it will be interesting to see how many of the early morning sessions are graced by the 20-odd Spanish delegates at the three-day conference - while for the 37 German delegates, it may be that three tortuous days in a jubilant Spain are simply too awful to contemplate at all.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
CREDIT CRISIS? WHAT CREDIT CRISIS?
Organisers at the Fund Forum 2008 had been worried about the impact of the credit crunch on fund managers' budgets; would the kitty stretch to another three-day jamboree by the seaside in these belt-tightening times?.
It does look a little like there are fewer high profile names; Goldman is one outfit which seems to have scaled down its presence this year, while regular senior attendees like Fortis Investments' Richard Wohanka are taking a break. But the conference has still pulled in 1300 delegates. "We were uncertain of the take-up because of the current market conditions, but the number of bodies attending this year is about the same as last year," said one relieved conference producer.
Managers still need to market their wares and pick up new ideas, after all, and potential clients and rivals will still be jetting into the industry's flagship conference from around the globe. That appears to have convinced enough fund firms to follow Winston Churchill's oft-quoted advice: "If you're going through hell, keep going."
It does look a little like there are fewer high profile names; Goldman is one outfit which seems to have scaled down its presence this year, while regular senior attendees like Fortis Investments' Richard Wohanka are taking a break. But the conference has still pulled in 1300 delegates. "We were uncertain of the take-up because of the current market conditions, but the number of bodies attending this year is about the same as last year," said one relieved conference producer.
Managers still need to market their wares and pick up new ideas, after all, and potential clients and rivals will still be jetting into the industry's flagship conference from around the globe. That appears to have convinced enough fund firms to follow Winston Churchill's oft-quoted advice: "If you're going through hell, keep going."
Friday, June 27, 2008
BARCA BOUND
Helicopter hire firms of Catalonia rejoice; the annual gathering of fund managers and their monied clients will decamp from Monaco to Barcelona next week.
This blog will provide a home for our regular file of stories from the Fund Forum 2008, and hopefully offer some additional gems of insight into an industry facing its toughest test for years.
If you feel the urge to make a meaningful contribution, you can contact me on raji.menon@thomsonreuters.com.
This blog will provide a home for our regular file of stories from the Fund Forum 2008, and hopefully offer some additional gems of insight into an industry facing its toughest test for years.
If you feel the urge to make a meaningful contribution, you can contact me on raji.menon@thomsonreuters.com.
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