Conference Agenda

Sunday, February 15

9:00 -10:00 a.m.

Track A
International Executive Roundtable
Palms North
 

Joyce M. LaPreta, Chief Compliance Officer
Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA), LLC

Gary Palmer, Chief Executive
Irish Funds Industry Association

Bob Wallace, Managing Director, Global Head of Fund Services
Citi

While the funds industry is a truly global industry, why is it one region -- the Pacific Rim -- is so hot?

Participants will hear from Global Industry players that are building innovative investment products and distribution channels to benefit from the opportunities in the Pacific Rim, particularly, East Asia, China, and Japan. In the global market upheaval, as these markets continue to grow, this panel will consider their experiences operating in this region and discuss the challenges of servicing this evolving market.
 

Track B
Creating Mutual Understanding and Shared Goals Across Cultures, Genders and Generations
Palms South

Dianne Durkin, President
Loyalty Factor, LLC

Dave Giardino, Vice President/Excellence in Action Program Manager
State Street Corporation

What can we do as individuals, as organizations and as an industry to close the knowledge gap about other cultures, gender and generational differences?

This highly interactive session will present attendees with specific knowledge and practical behaviors regarding:

• Sources of human behavior and the evolution of language
• The dos and don'ts of cross-cultural communication, with a focus on China and India
• Communicating effectively as it relates to gender and across the generation gap

10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Break
Palms Foyer
 

10:15 -11:15 a.m.

Track A
The Impact of the Credit Crisis on the Mutual Fund Industry, Part 1
Presented by the
Compliance and Risk Management Committee
Palms North

Joan A. Binstock, Partner, Chief of Operations, Accounting & Administration
Lord Abbett

Bob Byrnes, Assistant Treasurer
Fidelity Investments

John S. Capone, Partner, Asset Management Practice
KPMG LLP

Timothy F. Silva, Partner
WilmerHale

In a two part session, participants will be provided with an overview of the breadth and depth of the credit crisis and associated root causes. Expert panelist will identify the effects this crisis has had on mutual fund operations, fund compliance, fund performance, and financial disclosure. Also discussed will be the future of money market funds, the role and consequences of bailout remedies, (i.e. capital support agreements.)

The panel will continue into a second hour immediately following the break.
 

Track B
Making Web 2.0 Work
Presented by the Technology Committee
Palms South

Scott Finder, Managing Director, eBusiness
BlackRock

Alexander Gallas, Head of Internet & Service Management
DWS Investments

Brian Melter, Vice President, Head of Operations
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

As other industries rush to embrace "Web 2.0," the asset management industry continues to lag behind. While compliance concerns are real, so are the massive opportunities to leverage blogs, wikis, mashups, AJAX, and other Web 2.0 technologies and applications to increase internal efficiency and to better sell and service customers.

Attendees at this session will learn how leading firms are embracing Web 2.0, both internally and externally. The panelists will provide guidance on which technologies are more (or less) helpful, discuss how to address legal concerns, and help the audience to realize the opportunities presented by Web 2.0.
 

11:15 -11:30 a.m..

Break
Palms Foyer
 

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Track A
The Impact of the Credit Crisis on the Industry, Part 2
Presented by the
Compliance and Risk Management Committee
Palms North

Joan A. Binstock, Partner, Chief of Operations, Accounting & Administration
Lord Abbett

Bob Byrnes, Assistant Treasurer
Fidelity Investments

John S. Capone, Partner, Asset Management Practice
KPMG LLP

Timothy F. Silva, Partner
WilmerHale

Continuing our look at the impact of the credit crisis, this hour will focus on new federal programs and internal controls that have been implemented in order to mitigate both financial and operational risk.

Track B
CITs and ETFs - The Changing Product Landscape
Palms South

Steve Ferber, Senior Vice President, Account Manager & CIT Strategist, Defined Contribution Practice
PIMCO

Jim Wiandt, Editor and Director of Operations
Index Publications LLC

With world-wide assets of over $800 billion, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are one of the fastest growing products in the world. A close second, Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) are rapidly penetrating the defined-contribution retirement market with assets reaching $500 billion at the end of last year.

This panel of industry experts will examine these trends and explore the catalysts behind the growth of these segments.

Participants will be presented with an overview of the structures, an analysis of how these products are being used by institutions and retain investors, and the outlook for continued growth.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Barbecue
Terraza Patio
 

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Small Fund Firm Discussion Roundtable
Palms North

One of NICSA's newest ventures, the Small Fund Firm Networking Group is comprised of senior leaders of fund firms with assets under management of $15 billion or less who have been meeting to discuss their unique day-to-day operational issues and best practices.

This roundtable (limited to small fund firm members only) represents the first in person meeting of this group and welcomes additional fund firm members who meet the criteria of AUM $15b- whether they be from the operations, human resources, distribution or administrative side of the business.
 

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Reception
Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by
 

Monday, February 16

7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
 

8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Welcome Remarks
Grand Ballroom

Keynote Address
Great Depression 2.0? The Credit Crunch in Historical Perspective
Grand Ballroom

Harvard's Niall Ferguson is one of the world's leading historians of the global economy and author of such internationally-acclaimed works as The Pity of War, The Cash Nexus: Money and Power in the Modern World, Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power, the award-winning History of the House of Rothschild, The War of the World: Twentieth Century Conflict and the Descent of the West, and most recently, The Ascent of Money, just published in fall 2008.

Controversial, expansive, and eloquent, Ferguson will offer his insights on the dramatic economic events of the past several months and whether we are, in fact, heading into a Great Depression 2.0.

Booksigning of The Ascent of Money immediately to follow.
Attendees will be able to purchase the book at the discounted price of $20.
 

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Break
Exhibit Hall
 

10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

Luncheon Discussion Groups for Non-Golfers
Lobby Lounge
Sponsored by

How often do you wish you could have a face-to-face discussion with people confronting the same issues you are? Well now you can!

How often do you leave a conference feeling like you’ve made no new connections on an issue confronting you? Well not any more!

NICSA's Annual Conference Luncheon Roundtables will give you a chance to actively participate in discussions on topics affecting the industry. Topics will include:

• Paperless Legals
• Retirement Hot Topics
• Outsourcing
• Internal Cost Reduction Strategies in a Crisis Environment
• Red Flag Rule Preparation
• Cost Basis Rules
• Money Market Hot Topics
• Incentives and Perks to Retain High Performers

12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

NICSA Golf Tournament
Blue Monster & Red Courses

Join conference attendees and sponsors for this annual NICSA tradition. The NICSA Golf Tournament will be played on Doral's famous Blue Monter and Red courses. The format will be a scramble, all levels of players are welcome! Following the tournament, prizes will be awarded at the Reception at the 19th Hole. Click here for more information

Space is limited, pre-registration and a fee is required.

Boxed Lunch sponsored by
 

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.

The Human Resources Challenge:
Recalibrating Expectations in a Changed Environment
Palms North

Trudi McCanna, Vice President of Human Resources
OppenheimerFunds

Jeff Visithpanich, Principal
Johnson Associates

George Wilbanks, Managing Director
Russell Reynolds Associates

How can you motivate and retain your top performers in a lower growth environment? This session will discuss how firms in the investment management industry are changing their approach to human resource management as a result of the deleveraging of the financial services industry and the corresponding economic slowdown. This will be an interactive session, where experts in executive search, compensation consulting and human resources leadership will review recent trends and moderate a discussion amongst participants about best practices in compensation, training and organizational management.
 

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Reception at the 19th Hole
Spa Grand Terrace
Sponsored by

Join us for the post-tournament reception. Open to all - golfers, conference attendees, exhibitors and registered spouses/companions.
 

Tuesday, February 17

7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
 

8:00 - 8:15 a.m.

NICSA MVP Awards Presentation
Grand Ballroom
 

8:15 - 9:15 a.m.

Keynote Address
Skirting the Bermuda Triangle: a New Asset Allocation Approach
Grand Ballroom

Philipp Hensler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (link to bio)
DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.

"Modern" portfolio theory espouses wide diversification among asset classes, regions and market caps. But threatened by high correlation, high volatility and low returns presumably for the foreseeable future, investment managers need to skirt the triad of these forces and set out new investment paradigms.

DWS's Philipp Hensler will offer an insightful and provocative keynote address suggesting an asset allocation evolution that liberates the efficient frontier and increases the predictability of investment returns.
 

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Break
Exhibit Hall
 

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Face the Membership: The Future of the Mutual Fund Industry
Grand Ballroom

Anne Ackerley, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, US Retail
BlackRock

Martin E. Beaulieu, Director of Global Distribution
MFS Investment Management

John Cammack, Head of Third Party Distribution
T. Rowe Price

Kelley Howes, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer
Janus Capital Group Inc.

After the most tumultuous stock market ride since the Great Depression, what's next for the mutual fund industry? Experts from the legal, operational, sales and marketing, and distribution areas of our business bring their experience and insights to NICSA as they "Face the Membership". Discussion will focus on the impacts of the global economic challenges now facing our industry- including managing market volatility, adapting operating models, evolving distribution channels and creating new products.

You will hear their views on what's in store for the future and get answers to your questions.
 

11:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Break
Exhibit Hall
 

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Track A
Privacy and Confidentiality Challenges for
Investment Companies and their Service Providers
Presented by the
Compliance and Risk Management Committee
Grand Ballroom

Moderator
Charles S. Hawkins, Vice President & Senior Director, Regulatory Management - Transfer Agency
PNC Global Investment Servicing

Kelley Bashara, Risk Management and Control Senior Manager
American Funds Service Company

Don Kleoppel, Director Information Security
DST Systems, Inc.

Lydia E. Payne-Johnson
Manager, Governance, Regulatory and Compliance, Advisory Services
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Participants at this session will gain an overview of the current privacy legislative landscape and learn how companies are dealing with data privacy regulations as well as increased pressure for information security from shareholders and institutional clients. The panel will specifically discuss the implementation challenges related to the FTC "Red Flags" rule, the impact of amendments to Regulation S-P and leading practices related to building, creating, and maintaining an effective privacy and information security program that will protect the confidential information of mutual fund shareholders.

Track B
The Growth and Impact of Hybrid
Hedge Fund Structures
Presented by the
Alternative Investments Committee
Palms South

Claude Kremer, Chairman
Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI)

Mike Lee, Partner, Americas Asset Management
Ernst & Young LLP

Joe Patellaro, Managing Director, Citi Private Equity Services
Citi

Given the current environment, what does the future look like for hedge funds? This session will define and explore the growth of hybrid fund structures in the hedge fund and private equity world. Panelists will address the market drivers and benefits of these products, liquidity issues and the impact of these hybrids on accounting, fund administration, investor reporting and transparency, regulations and technology.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch
Exhibit Hall
 

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Working with Your Board
Co-sponsored by the Mutual Fund Directors Forum
Palms North

Ashok Bakhru, President
ABN Associates
Independent Chair, Goldman Sachs Funds

John F. Cogan, Jr., Chairman and President
Pioneer Mutual Funds

Darlene T. DeRemer, Partner
Grail Partners
Independent Chair, Nicholas Applegate

The credit crisis has had a profound effect on mutual fund boards. In this interactive session, fund directors will discuss how the nature of their work has changed over the past nine months and how their boards have responded to the challenges posed by the turmoil in the financial markets. You’ll have a chance to ask questions about the types of information they need and the kinds of reports they find most useful. The session will be closed to the press.
 

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Wine Tasting: Chile & Argentina
Ketsu/Lobby Lounge
Sponsored by

Join us for a tasting of chardonnay, cabernet and merlot from the Southern Hemisphere.

Pre-registration and a fee are required to reserve your space.
 

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Reception
Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by
 

8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

NICSA Theme Party
Spa Pool
Sponsored by
 

Wednesday, February 18

8:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
 

8:30- 8:45 a.m.

Presentation of the PricewaterhouseCoopers and Robert L. Gould Awards
Grand Ballroom
 

8:45 - 9:45 a.m.

Keynote Address
Adapting to the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow
Grand Ballroom

John V. Murphy, Chairman (link to bio)
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
and Chairman, Investment Company Institute

In 2008, the mutual fund industry, along with the financial services industry as a whole, faced an unprecedented set of challenges that eroded investor confidence, placed greater scrutiny on fund managers and taught the industry some tough lessons. OppenheimerFunds' Chairman, John V. Murphy, will reflect on those lessons learned and discuss the critical challenges facing the industry in the years to come, including the increasingly competitive global landscape.
 

9:45 - 10:00 a.m.

Break
Foyer
 

10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Ask the Regulators
Grand Ballroom

Gene Gohlke, Associate Director, Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Thomas M. Selman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Financing/Investment Companies Regulation
FINRA

Thomas C. Shanahan, Deputy Regional Director
Employee Benefits Security Administration/United States Department of Labor

New this year, NICSA presents an interactive session that gives you the opportunity to meet with leading industry regulators. Attendees will hear from our panel of experts on current regulatory hot topics, regulator expectations and potential future events or scenarios that should be contemplated by compliance programs.

The panel will be available for a broad question and answer session designed to assist compliance and risk professionals as you continuously enhance your firm's compliance activities. The session will be closed to the press.
 

11:15 a.m.

Conference Closes