~ 2024 Sponsors ~

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~ Conference Agenda ~

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Welcome to the IAIM Inaugural Conference by Laura Lincoln, Director of Public Markets & Absolute Return at Utah Retirement Systems

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Trends in 2024 – The Rise of Private Credit and Alternatives
In the fast-evolving financial landscape of 2024, the surge in private credit and alternative investments marks a pivotal shift towards diversification and risk management. This panel will delve into how these emerging trends are reshaping investment portfolios, offering novel avenues for yield. The panel of experts will explore the trend towards unlocking these opportunities and making alternative assets more accessible to a broader audience.
Speakers: Dan Anderson, The Cynosure Group; Tanner Dance, Andina Family Offices; Andrew Caplan, StoneX; Bryan Perry, Goldman Sachs

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Irrational Investors and How to Profit from their Mistakes

Professor Michael Cooper from the David Eccles School of Business will explore the impact of irrational investor behavior on market efficiency and investment strategies. Beginning with an overview of classic market efficiency assumptions, such as rational investors and perfect markets, Professor Cooper will challenge these notions through behavioral finance perspectives. He highlights how irrational behaviors—such as overreacting to firm news, under-diversifying portfolios, and succumbing to cosmetic or glamour effects—can lead to predictable stock price movements and offer profit opportunities to savvy investment managers.
Presenter: Professor Michael Cooper

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Keynote by Lori Walsh, Deputy Chief Economist for FINRA
In this compelling keynote address, Lori Walsh, the esteemed Deputy Chief Economist for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), will share her invaluable insights into the current state and future directions of financial markets. Drawing upon her extensive experience and deep understanding of market dynamics, Walsh will explore the pivotal trends shaping the regulatory landscape and their implications for investors, institutions, and market integrity. She will delve into the role of technology in finance, including the impact of fintech innovations and the challenges of cybersecurity, highlighting how regulation must evolve to protect investors while fostering innovation and competition.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Recap of Rough 2023 Assets – Emerging Markets and Other Underperforming Assets
After a tumultuous 2023, this panel aims to unpack the challenges and opportunities that emerged in the realms of emerging markets and other underperforming assets. Experts will provide insights into how these sectors navigated the rough waters of economic instability and what lessons can be learned for future resilience and growth. They’ll explore the innovative strategies that were employed to mitigate risks and capitalize on any unexpected opportunities that arose during the year. The discussion will highlight the future of these asset classes.
Speakers: Amy Sunderland, Grandeur Peak Global Advisors; James Fletcher, Ethos Investment Management; Alec Ferguson, Drive Wealth Advisers; Clint Stone, The Larry H. Miller Company

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Networking Break

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM – The Asset Pricing Effects of Fund Flows
Professor J Li from the David Eccles School of Business will delve into how trading flows shape asset prices. Traditionally, most academics and some practitioners thought that prices primarily move due to new information. Recent work has revealed that demand and supply forces — even if unrelated to information — have long-lasting effects on asset prices. He will end with an application of this research on quantitative portfolio optimization. Specifically, he will discuss how incorporating trading data can improve covariance matrices estimation which leads to better diversification and higher Sharpe ratios.
Presenter: Professor Jiacui Li

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Networking Break

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – The Investment Landscape of 2024
The investment landscape of 2024 presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges, reflecting the rapid evolution of global financial markets . This panel will delve into the transformative trends shaping investment strategies, from the integration of advanced fintech solutions to the growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical investing. Experts will discuss how these developments are democratizing access to investment opportunities, making it easier for a wider range of individuals to participate in financial markets.
Speakers: Chris Neddo, The Cynosure Group; Mark Waite, University of Utah Investment Management Office; Chris Rae, Storm Capital Partners; Brett Lyman, LymanWealth

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Cocktail Hour

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner & Fireside chat with Rob Copeland, Author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Fund, and Jacque Millard, Cynosure Advisory Board Member and former CIO of Intermountain Healthcare
Join us for an enlightening fireside chat with Rob Copeland, celebrated author of the New York Times Bestseller, “The Fund,” and Jacque Millard, Cynosure Advisory Board Member and former CIO of Intermountain Healthcare. The discussion will delve deep into the high-stakes world of investment funds. In this intimate conversation, Copeland will share the inspiration behind his groundbreaking book, offering insights into the complex dynamics, intriguing personalities, and strategic maneuvers that define the cutthroat investment fund industry. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear firsthand about Copeland’s extensive research, the challenges he faced in unraveling the intricacies of the financial world, and his perspectives on the future of investment strategies. This engaging session promises to provide valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the power of storytelling in making the opaque world of finance accessible to a broader audience.

Send a message to brogaardj@eccles.utah.edu if you have questions or if you need more information.