We waited so long for the ICI to sponsor an ETF focused conference, that it was a real thrill to join nearly 800 friends in the industry when it finally happened. The venue was great to be right next door to the AllianceBernstein headquarters, where I visited with several friends and former clients, and a block away from Nashville’s famous Broadway music and bar strip. The timing could not have been better for networking as our search business in this field is picking up as a wide variety of mid-sized managers add key product management executives as they build out ETF distribution channels through fund conversions, new share classes or new ETF launches that mirror existing institutional and retail investment strategies.I was able to visit with Don Auerbach and learn about his recent success in recruiting a new Head of Technology.
Managing an Association to keep up with an industry as fast changing and innovative as the ’40 Act business is always a challenge. As always, a big note of congratulations to Eric Pan, his team and the Board of the ICI for staying ahead of the curve. Tom Kim of the Independent Director Council put together a fantastic panel on fund governance issues in the ETF business that was a great learning opportunity. Tom and his team put together a well written summary of many of the points covered on the IDC’s web site, as well.
I am very fortunate to have Jennifer Grybowski as a long time friend and peer in the industry. She is always a source of amazing insights and news on innovations and changes in the industry gained from her work at With Intelligence where she is now the Managing Editor of all of their Public Markets publications.
Many thanks to CEO Seth Bernstein and Global Head of ETFs Noel Archard of AllianceBernstein for hosting an incredible final day cocktail party on the rooftop at the legendary Nashville Broadway Twelve Thirty music club. With hundreds of industry friends (several hours of non-stop networking and information sharing) I was able to get some really valuable work done while enjoying all the best of the Nashville music scene. And staying a couple of floors above the crush on the street was quite luxurious. Thanks again AB!