Ritz Carlton, Dana Point, CA
December 5, 2018 - December 7, 2018
The Alternative Investing Summit will bring together trustees and representatives of institutions as well as money managers and consultants to explore the roles of alternative opportunities and strategies. As a strategy, alternatives offer investors a method to obtain the returns they require and break the paradigm of the 60/40 rule, however not all alternatives are the same nor do they come without certain risks. Participants and delegates of this alternative investment conference will investigate a range of critical investment issues, including discussion of the risks and benefits of various asset classes and investment vehicles such as hedge funds and private equity, examining means of cutting costs associated with implementation of absolute returns strategies, reviewing the future of commodities and surveying the landscape of emerging international markets. With the current struggle of obtaining these returns, the question of fees has become of particular relevance, especially within the field of alternatives as investors measure their risks v. rewards. We will also look into impact investing as a way of obtaining returns that are socially responsible as well as many issues involved with fund management and the importance of education for trustees and other investment officers.
The label "alternative" describes a nebulous investment class to many investors, especially those in the institutional world who have strict ethical and fiduciary obligations to their organizations. However, pursuing alternative investments is essential to maximizing returns while maintaining proper asset allocation in plan portfolios of endowments, foundations, family offices, and public and corporate funds.
UNIQUE CONFERENCE FORMAT
This conference will exclusively feature dialogue driven panel discussions led by consultants and family offices. In order to maintain the educational value of our events, we prohibit any use of PowerPoint presentations during panel discussions. *Only Standalone Speakers will be allowed to use PowerPoints during their presentation. All other PowerPoint Presentations can be added to our Mobile App by submitting a PDF/PPT document to an Opal Associate. Speakers must keep in mind the educational objective of this event. Speakers will NOT be allowed to market specific products or services during presentations.
8:00AM |
Golf Outing at Monarch Beach |
9:00AM |
Exhibit Set-Up |
10:00AM |
Registration/Information Desk Opens All confirmed pre-registered delegates must approach the Registration Desk to check in and pick up conference badges. Business Cards are required to retrieve badges. |
12:30PM |
Opening Remarks |
12:45PM |
Global Macro Outlook: Betting on The Big Picture
Moderator
Skeeter Bird, CEO, Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation
Panelists
Mustafa Saiyid, Senior Financial Sector Expert, IMF David Ranson, President, Dir. of Research, HCWE & Co. Raveendra Nath Batra, Professor of International & Macro Economics, Southern Methodist University |
1:45PM |
LP Perspectives & Allocation Plans Investment Officers discuss where they think the smart money is being invested and where are LPs seeing most pushback from their investment committees. Given current market conditions and a risk of overexposure, what are LPs’ allocation and investment plans for 2019?
Moderator
Cian Desmond, AVP | Wilshire Alternatives Research, Wilshire Associates Incorporated
Panelists
Michael Ashley Schulman, CFA, Consultant, Hollencrest Capital Management (MFO) Jonathan Shear, Chief Investment Officer, University of Utah Investment Management Daniel Miller, MPA, Deputy Executive Director, Board of Education Retirement System of the City of New York |
2:45PM |
Building Systems that Attract Investors
Moderator
Will Buividas, Vice Chairman, Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
Panelists
Josh Roach, Managing Partner and Family Principal, Lloyd Capital Partners (SFO) Kurt Vroman, Board Trustee/Secretary, Deltona Firefighters Pension Plan DJ Van Keuren, VP of Family Office Capital, Hayman Family Office (SFO) |
3:30PM |
Networking Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall |
4:00PM |
Investing through Qualified Opportunity Zones
Moderator
Sandra Osborne, Director of Investments, ImpactAssets
Panelists
Vijar Kohli, Co-founder & Portfolio Manager, Golden Door Asset Management Craig Bernstein, Managing Partner, OPZ Capital Brent R. Parker, CPA, Principal, Novogradac & Company LLP Timothy S. Pollock, Partner, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP |
5:00PM |
Investing in Disruptive Technology
Moderator
Nathan McDonald, Managing Partner and CEO, Keiretsu Capital
Panelists
Helen Thomas, CEO, TouchJet Oded Malky, CEO & Chief Technology Officer, SHM Controls Mike Connolly, CEO & Chairman, Healionics Caitlin Cameron, CEO, OtoNexus Randy Williams, Founder & CEO, Keiretsu Forum |
5:45PM |
Networking Cocktail Reception in Exhibit Hall Join us and unwind with fellow industry professionals for refreshments during our last networking break of the day. |
7:00AM |
Networking Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall |
7:00AM |
Registration/Information Desk Opens All confirmed pre-registered delegates must approach the Registration Desk to check in and pick up conference badges. Business Cards are required to retrieve badges. |
7:45AM |
Opening Remarks |
8:00AM |
Moderator
John Agenbroad, Chairman, Inter-Local Pension Fund
Panelists
Matthew Mark, Director US Asset Owners/Distribution, World Gold Council Kimberly Ann Flynn, Managing Director Alternative Investments, XA Investments LLC Matt Ritzel, VP Sales, Red Cloud Klondike Strike Inc. Mark Waite, Director of Endowment Investments, University of Utah Investment Management
Moderator
Tami Kesselman, Founder & Chief Strategist, Aligned Investing Global
Panelists
Jonathan Smiga, Managing Partner, Keen Growth Capital Don Shannon, Director, StepStone Group |
9:00AM |
Moderator
Tim Rafalovich, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo, Alternative Equity Investor
Panelists
Kevin Tunick, Vice President and Managing Director of Private Investments., UNC Management Company Stephanie Simon, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Winslow Capital Management, LLC Vincent Jelani, Chief Executive Officer, Crux Holdings
Moderator
Sherri Haskell, Founder, CEO, Rehan Huda, Chief Executive Officer, Green Sky Labs Christopher Henderson, CIO, Myrtlewood Capital (SFO) |
10:00AM |
Networking Refreshment Break |
10:15AM |
Moderator
Mark Perry, Managing Director, Wilshire Private Markets
Panelists
David Hunter, Executive Director, CIO, North Dakota State Investment Board / North Dakota Legacy Fund Dan Devorsetz, Chief Investment Officer, Horizon Technology Finance John Brignola, Managing Partner, LBC Credit Partners, Inc. Sam Austin, Partner, NEPC, LLC
Moderator
Gabriel Nelson, Associate Director, Liquid Alternatives Research, Pavilion Advisory Group Inc.
Panelists
Ron Barone, Senior Analyst, VE Capital Management, LLC Brad Updike, Director, Mick Law P.C. Joy Perry, Managing Director and Investment Director, Wellington Management |
11:15AM |
Moderator
Bradley Baker, Managing Director, Wilshire Consulting
Panelists
James Julian, Managing Director, Senior Living Equity Partners LLC Stuart Wood, Managing Director, Cortland Capital Market Services
Moderator
Thomas Heck, Chief Investment Officer, Ball State University Endowment
Panelists
Brian Sewell, Founder, Rockwell Capital Management (SFO) Jason Toussaint, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Emergent Technology Holdings |
12:00PM |
Collateralized debt in real estate – a safe harbor in volatile times Jonathan Lewis, Managing Partner, JLJ Capital |
12:30PM |
Networking Luncheon |
2:00PM |
Niche Strategies and Emerging Managers
Moderator
Eileen Neill, CFA, Managing Director, Senior Consultant, Verus Investments
Panelists
Neeraj Rama, Chief Investment Officer, Research & Development, CBCC | Rising Sun (SFO) Bill Li, Senior Investment Officer, Portfolio Completion Strategies, Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board William Lappas, Managing Director, Woodbridge Capital Partners LLC (SFO) Henry Wilson, Trustee, Wayne County Employees' Retirement System |
2:45PM |
Seeking Alpha: Which Hedge Fund Strategies Look the Most Attractive Over the Next 24 Months
Moderator
Anthony Novara, Research Director – Global Hedge Fund Strategies & Capital Markets, Dimeo Schneider & Associates
Panelists
Chris Walvoord, Partner - Global Head of Hedge Fund Research, Aon Hewitt Alexander Leiken, Senior Alternatives Manager Research Analyst, RVK, Inc. Ronen Schwartzman, CIO, Cooper Family Office (SFO) |
3:30PM |
Investing in Alternative Risk Premia Funds
Moderator
Brandon Laughren, Chief Investment Officer, The Laughren Group (SFO)
Panelists
Jagdeesh Prakasam, Co-CIO, Rotella Capital Management, Inc. Philip R. McDonald, CFA, CAIA, CIPM, Director of Investments, Portfolio Manager, Symmetry Partners, LLC Joseph Cusick, Director of OIC Education and Business Development, The Options Industry Council |
4:15PM |
Crystallizing Value and Generating Returns How are savvy managers navigating high prices and growing competition in today’s frothy market to generate superior returns? Faced with uncertain financial markets and increasing disruption, what is the smartest money purchasing?
Moderator
Robert Grden, Executive Director, Wayne County Employees Retirement System
Panelists
Lyle Minton, Chief Investment Officer, Keel Point (MFO) Kevin Nichols, CAIA, CIMA, Senior Investment Management Consultant & Vice President, Morgan Stanley Consulting Group & Institutional Services Irv Lowenberg, City Treasurer, City Of Southfield Retiree Healthcare And Benefits Plan Doug Watler, Board Member & Trustee, Deerfield Beach Fire Pension |
5:15PM |
Networking Cocktail Reception in Exhibit Hall Join us and unwind with fellow industry professionals for refreshments during our last networking break of the day. Sponsored By: JLJ Capital |
6:30PM |
Keiretsu Capital’s Innovation Showcase Scotch Pitch |
7:30AM |
Continental Breakfast |
8:15AM |
Opening Remarks |
8:30AM |
GP-Co Investments vs Direct Investing?
Moderator
Skip Coomber, III, President, Coomber Family Estates (SFO) / Dragon Trust Family Office (SFO)
Panelists
Christopher Nolte, President, Marcus Investments (SFO) Randy Norton, Managing Partner - Head of Real Estate and Alternatives, Green Mesa Capital (SFO) Ron Diamond, CEO, Diamond Wealth Strategies Mac LaFollette, Founder, The GC Companies |
9:30AM |
Portfolio Harmony: Balancing Your Asset Allocation and Portfolio Construction
Moderator
Lily Cavanagh, Treasurer, Redford Township Police & Firemen’s Retirement System Blair Richards, CEO, Halifax Port ILA/HEA Pension Plan and Trust Funds Ali Jaffery, Director, CM Capital Advisors, LLC (SFO) Greg Martinez, Co-Founder and Managing Principal, The Beverly Park Group Randy Bull, Senior Investment Manager, Fifth Third Bank |
10:30AM |
Performance and Benchmarking What is the gold standard today? Is multiple benchmarking a safer option? Is a strong track record an accurate indicator of future performance?
Moderator
David McConico, Chairman, City of Aurora (CO) General Employees' Retirement Board
Panelists
Carl Ludwigson, Director of Manager Research, Bel Air Investment Advisors Erik Carleton, Director of Pension Investments, Textron Pension Fund Stuart Odell, Assistant Treasurer, Retirement Investments, Intel Corporation |
11:30AM |
Active portfolio management and risk Faced with an increasing portfolio size and an uncertain macroeconomic environment, how are LPs repositioning their portfolios and what models are being using to quality and quantify risk? Consolidation of GP relationships, selling of non-core assets, co-investing, diversification and ESG: what do LPs believe are the best drivers for returns?
Moderator
Craig Robbins, Director of Investments, Childrens Hospital of Minnesota
Panelists
Amit Thanki, Investment Officer, San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association Aaron Rosen, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager, Senior Vice President, LCM Investment Management, LLC James Perry, Head of Institutional Investor Solutions, MaplesFS |
12:30PM |
Conference Concludes |
Rooms | Rates |
---|---|
Garden View Single | SOLD OUT |
Garden View Double | SOLD OUT |
Earlybird Rate I (exp 6/30/18) |
Earlybird Rate II (exp 8/31/18) |
Earlybird Rate III (exp 10/31/18) |
Standard Rate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Manager/Service Provider | $2,495 | $2,695 | $2,895 | $3,195 |
*Investors: Endowment, Foundation, Family Offices, Non-Discretionary Consultant, Hospital/Healthcare Fund, Independent Fee-Only Investment Advisor | ---- | ---- | ---- | Complimentary* |
*Subject to Opal Group’s verification and approval. Only individuals who are in an investment allocation decision making role can be verified for a complimentary pass. Solution Providers or Fund Providers to 3rd parties will not be able to receive complimentary access. As investment portfolios/strategies are constantly changing, we reserve the right to re-verify past delegates for future complimentary passes.