There’s just over a week to go until the cream of the crop of the global asset management community meet in Berlin. Over three days, you'll have the chance to mix with other global decision-makers, engage with business leaders inspired by transformation and growth, and share new ideas with talented fund managers and enthusiastic front-line innovators.
With over 1300 top decision makers from over 30 countries, you will be enriching your strategy from 100s of inspirational public sessions, exclusive opportunities, in-depth workshops and informal conversations. But with so much going on, it can be hard to know exactly what sessions you should head to.
With the most extensive and in-depth agenda to date, here’s our pick of the top themes to follow for FundForum International 2017.
1. Geopolitics and risk in times of political uncertainty
In an era of unprecedented global political uncertainty, it's more important than ever to risk proof investment strategies. In daily mainstage sessions, hear from the top global policy makers, geopoliticans, and leading investment experts on whats really going on behind the political mechanisms in Europe, Asia, and the world.
Don't miss:
Our plenary geopolitical and risk and investment sessions featuring the likes of Yanis Varoufakis, Dr Pippa Malmgren, and Porter Erisman. Taking place in the mornings of Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, and Wednesday 14th June.
2. Buyers insights from Northern Europe
Hear from the who’s who of leading wholesale, institutional and family office buyers and asset owners across German speaking Europe, Benelux, Scandinavia, and the UK.
Don't miss:
Spotlight on top European institutional investors, 2:05pm Monday 12th June.
German-speaking Europe wholesale buyers, 2:30pm Tuesday 13th June
Spotlight on Dutch and German institutional investors, 3:10pm Tuesday 13th June.
Nordic asset owners & fund buyers on ESG Investing, 1:50pm Wednesday 14th June.
3. Buyers insights from Southern Europe
With big markets opening to cross-border asset managers see how the leading buyers of France, Italy and Spain are buying funds for their clients.
Don't miss:
Francophone Europe: opening up of French distribution to non-domestic asset managers, 5:20pm Tuesday 13th June.
New research towards breaking into Italy, one of Europe's largest mutual fund markets, 4:40pm Tuesday 13th June
New era for Spanish intermediary investors as the market evolves, 3:00pm, Wednesday 14th June.
4. Leaders on fees, value, and industry sustainability
What fees are customers prepared to pay? What outcomes are they expecting for that fee? How innovators are reconfiguring the value of the industry to society and the wider economy. We throw some of the key disruptive leaders into the ring to debate.
Don't miss:
What does the product or solution look like that justifies a fee? 12:20pm, Tuesday 13th June.
What is the value of the industry? Re-calibrating the purpose and value of investment management to create a sustainable industry in the future, 11:50am, Wednesday 14th June.
5. ETFs, Factor Investing & AI
New models and technologies are changing the way in which alpha is being interpreted and transforming business models. But how can we quantify this impact on markets and risk?
Don't miss:
ETFs & Alpha reinterpreted, part 2: How machine learning and factor based investing is changing everything, 11:50am, Monday 12th June.
Quant and smart beta workshop part 1: new research on factor investing, 2:30pm, Tuesday 13th June.
The Future of index investing: exploring trends in the adoption of usage of index investments, and the impact they are having on financial markets and the broader investment landscape, 12:20pm, Wednesday 14th June.
ETF Investors Discussion: How are investors integrating index strategies into their portfolios? 12:40pm, Wednesday 14th June.
6. Leaders on Distribution
The Distribution Summit makes it annual return with top buyers exploring top line evolution to wholesale channels across the world. Leaders and policy makers explore the impact of the new regulatory environment and the challenges of keeping UCITS products on the shelves.
Don't miss:
Our business leaders forum, taking place all day Monday 12th June and all day Tuesday 13th June.
7. Investment heads on managing liquidity and finding yield
Participate in extended workshops with buyers and on fixed income, multi-asset, developed and emerging equities
Don't miss:
Managing liquidity challenges across all asset classes, 3:25pm, Monday 12th June.
New fixed income solutions part 1: How to solve the challenges of fixed income, 4:40pm, Monday 12th June.
The new products stream of the Investment Strategy Forum, from 2:30pm, Tuesday 13th June.
8. Green finance and infrastructure; impact; ESG
Over eight sessions and workshops we explore the nuts and bolts of the most interesting and influential projects from India, China and Europe with leading players, market makers and asset owners transforming investment.
Don't miss:
Our green finance and infrastructure workshops, which will explore the Paris climate agreement, the way in which public and private sector can work together, and understanding which projects will work and which won't, taking place on Tuesday 13th June.
Social Impact & ESG Investing - how are new tough regulations around corporate ESG impacting the big investors? 5:20pm, Tuesday 13th June.
Nordic asset owners & fund buyers on ESG Investing, 1:50pm, Wednesday 14th June.
9. New asset classes delivering more alpha
From long term investment to illiquid investments, credit funds and alternatives join buyers and asset managers in workshops and small group discussions on integrating illiquid investments in the portfolio.
Don't miss:
Long term investing and how to meet the long-term savings needs of the end investor, 2:50pm, Monday 12th June.
Illiquid Investments: Reducing volatility and providing yield with high yield debt, infrastructure, real estate, credit, 2:40pm, Tuesday 13th June
Alternatives and liquid alternatives workshop part 1: buyer issues, 1:50pm, Wednesday 14th June
Credit and SME financing, 3:00pm, Wednesday 14th June
10. Fund Buyer only
New for 2017 we launch a series of Fund Buyer Academy workshops around diversification 2.0. From incorporating active and passive in the portfolio to boutique investing and digital fund selection, this fund buyer only stream allows you to compare notes and best practice with peers. Also watch out for fund buyer solutions – our closed door workshops with leading asset managers.
Don't miss:
The FundBuyers Academy, taking place on all three days throughout FundForum.
The FundBuyer solutions closed door sessions, 1:30pm, Tuesday 13th June.
11. Future finance and new operating model
From blockchain, big data analytics, regtech, and digitalisation we explore practical case studies to help you cut costs and streamline your business using the latest financial technology strategies.
Don't miss:
The Future Finance Forum, taking place all three days throughout FundForum.
12. The online customer and the future of robo
From the starting point of one of the most respected academics in the field UCLA’s Prof Shlomo Benartzi, leading CDOs and innovators explore how behavioural economics, customer experience and digital fund selection is transforming wealthtech products and experiences for HNW and everyday savers alike.
Don't miss:
The new business models stream of the Future Finance Forum, taking place Tuesday 13th June.
Shlomo Benartzi: thinking smarter about how online investment is transforming all your customer relationships, 11:10am, Wednesday 14th June.
13. Tomorrow's leaders and out-of-industry keynotes transforming mindsets
FundForum is launching a Creative Bootcamp that will bring together thoughtleaders and millennials to discuss the leadership strategy of tomorrow. From experts on IOT in Financial Services, to the lessons in smart leadership, from the art and science of hostage negotiation or the global impact of Alibaba’s disruptive innovation on financial innovation in Asia, explore how these developments will impact your future business.
Don't miss:
The new business models stream of the Future Finance Forum, taking place Wednesday 14th June.
There's still time to join the discussion. Register for the world's leading asset management conference and join us in Berlin for FundForum International 2017.
