VIP guests highlight asset management event in Bermuda

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 14, 2016 -- One of the National Basketball Association’s top 50 players of all time, entrepreneur Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and writer Mike Reiss, of TV’s award-winning animated series, The Simpsons, are VIP guests at this month’s World Alternative Investment Summit Bermuda (WAIS Bermuda). The inaugural September 28–30 event at Fairmont Southampton Resort is expected to attract investment officers, managers, administrators, prime brokers, lawyers, and others in the asset management industry.

NBA All-Star Earl “The Pearl” Monroe Mike Reiss, of TV’s "The Simpsons"

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“We’re proud to bring this new event to Bermuda’s international business calendar,” said Sean Moran, of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), which is supporting the three-day event produced by Toronto-based Radius Financial Education.

A four-time NBA All-Star, Monroe played for both the Baltimore Bullets and New York Knicks, earning the nickname “The Pearl” for his on-court style before retiring in 1980. An entrepreneur who launched a candy company, restaurant and record label, among other ventures, he will be a special guest at the conference—meeting delegates and attending networking sessions and social activities. Reiss will give a keynote presentation to close the conference on Friday, September 30, titled “Secrets of The Simpsons.”

Other media personalities will be featured in moderated debates and panel discussions. New York Times best-selling author and creator of “The Bear Traps Report” Lawrence McDonald; former Chicago Bears linebacker-turned-professional investor and cast member of CNBC’s “Halftime Report” and “Fast Money” Jon Najarian; and Fox News “Insider” and professional investor Michael Murphy will bring unique industry insights and expertise to the event, that’s aiming to register close to 200 delegates—many from overseas markets. Thursday’s keynote speaker is William Mougayar, author of The Business Blockchain, whose presentation examines how blockchain technology will affect the investment management industry.

“We are incredibly excited about our diverse lineup of high-profile speakers and special guests,” said Radius President and CEO Tony Sanfelice. “This roster reflects the wide scope of our agenda, which delves into some of the most pressing and interesting topics facing the alternative asset management industry today.”

“All of our speakers have certain things in common, including the drive and ability to succeed, inspire and provoke thought,” added Sanfelice. “That’s what WAIS Bermuda is all about—creating dialogues that lead to insight and action.”

WAIS Bermuda joins the Regulatory Compliance Association’s (RCA) Regulation, Operations & Compliance Symposium (held in April) and the upcoming Global Fund Forum (October 24–26), organised annually by Hedge Connection, on the Bermuda asset management calendar. Additionally, the high-profile ILS Convergence (November 9–11) event has become a yearly staple, geared to professionals in the alternative reinsurance and insurance-linked strategies field.

“Over the years, WAIS has become renowned as Canada’s premier alternative investment conference, and now organisers are taking it global,” Moran said. “Bermuda was chosen as the host location because of its proximity to major US and Canadian hub cities, as well as its stellar reputation in the alternatives space. We certainly plan to show off the talent and expertise of the people in our funds industry here. The programme features many speakers from Bermuda-based firms discussing globally relevant topics and issues. And, of course, the delegates will get some time to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational options Bermuda offers. The hope is that this event takes off and becomes an annual fixture here.”

Radius has 14 years’ experience producing leading financial conferences, including the annual WAIS Canada (www.waisc.com). Radius also produces the Niagara Institutional Dialogue (www.institutionaldialogue.com), a flagship pension event attended by high-profile Canadian and global institutional investors and fund managers, as well as Canada’s flagship Exchange Traded Funds or ETF Forum (www.exchangetradedforum.com) each spring.

For more information or to register for WAIS Bermuda, go to: http://waisc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=317&Itemid=201

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