Coming together in the spirit of co-opetition

IFSA’s first comprehensive financial services conference will kick off on Monday evening, July 19 and run through until 5pm Wednesday July 21 at Melbourne’s Convention Centre.

For the first time ever, the industry will come together as a single group to share the latest ideas and issues surrounding investment management, superannuation and life insurance. This conference replaces the individual events formerly held by AIMA, IFA and LISA.

Cognisant of the diverse interests of industry participants, the conference provides a wide variety of sessions for delegates to choose from - including wholesale investment management, retail marketing and distribution, regulatory issues, life insurance and business operations issues. IFSA member chief executives will also find sessions tailored especially for them.

Co-opetition…friends, foes or maybe both? is this year's theme. This new concept embodies the spirit of competition and cooperation, and focuses on the creation of new strategic alliances with traditional competitors.

In line with the industry's pivotal focus on investment performance, increased efficiency, distribution and profitability, the conference will look at ways co-opetition is working to create new markets, new products and new avenues for distribution.

The conference opens with a Taste of Melbourne cocktail party, where delegates can not only re-establish old acquaintances but also meet new IFSA colleagues from other parts of the industry, while sampling the fine food and wine that Victoria is currently producing.

A strong line up of international and domestic speakers will present the latest perspectives on a range of issues relevant to the global commercial landscape, including:

The impact of tax reform on your business, products and investments

Valuing technology companies

Generating value for customers and shareholders after a merger

The latest on CLERP 6

Disability insurance

Top 10 regulatory issues for CEOs

What consumers really think of big business

IFSA will also use the conference to launch several exciting new initiatives. Of particular interest to all participants will be a study of industry profitability commissioned by IFSA. Delegates will also get the first look at IFSA's new member website.

Wendy Murdock, the chief operating officer, retail for SSB Citi Asset Management in the US, is more than appropriately placed to open the conference speaking on Co-opetition. Wendy has been leading the global transition planning effort to integrate the asset management business of Travelers, Salomon and Citicorp, as a result of Travelers' acquisition of Salomon Smith Barney in 1997. In this role, she is responsible for all retail sales, marketing, product development and fund administration for the complete package of retail products marketed globally through Citigroup.

Virginia Rometty, general manager for the global insurance industry for IBM Corporation will address delegates on day two. Responsible for the development, management and execution of IBM's business strategy for the worldwide insurance market, Virginia will look at the growth of the industry's electronic marketplace and how information technology will support co-opetition in the future.

With savings policy at the top of IFSA's current agenda, conference delegates should be intrigued to hear Don Phillips, CEO of MorningStar lead a discussion on the latest developments in US 401(k) plans.

Hong Kong based columnist for the International Herald Tribune and independent consultant on Asian economic and financial issues, Philip Bowring, will present an enlightening perspective on Asia as a case study for working co-operatively in a financial crisis.

Of particular interest to attendees will also be Dennis Eck, CEO of Coles Myer, who will share his vision for Coles as it moves into the financial services arena.

High profile Australian speakers will include: ASIC and APRA chairmen, Alan Cameron and Jeffrey Carmichael; Bill Beerworth, partner, Beerworth and Partners; Bruce Cook, chief executive of Mercers; and Michael Rice of Rice Kachor Research.

The strong line up of sponsors and exhibitors includes:

Joint Gold Sponsors: Minter Ellison, Commonwealth Bank and PMSC

Silver Sponsor: IBM

Bronze Sponsors: Perpetual Fund Services, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and KPMG.

Official Conference Publications: Super Review and Investor Weekly

Special Sponsors and Exhibitors:

Sydney Futures Exchange

DST International

TIR Securities

Investment Link

State Street

Princeton.

Given the pressure we all seem to be under these days, they'll also be some fun, games, prizes just to celebrate us all being together for the first time. For more details on the conference please contact Leanne Howard, IFSA Conference Secretariat on ph: 02-9422 2611.