The Hedge Fund Thought Leadership Summit^TM

Marriott Hotel & Spa - Stamford, CT
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008



Conference Agenda

1:30 PM - Registration



2:00 – 2:10 PM
Event Co-Chairmen Welcome

Walter Zebrowski, JD, CPA, CIO, COO, Hedgemony Partners
  Chairman, Regulatory Compliance Association

Howard Altman, CPA, Co-Managing Principal, Rothstein Kass



2:10 – 3:00 PM
Post Election Climate for Hedge Funds

Since 2000 the Hedge Fund Industry has flourished, graced by the protections of a Republican Administration, and at times a friendly Congress.

Over the past few years, Congress has migrated to a Democratic majority who favor formal and comprehensive regulation and government oversight. Additionally, Democrats seem to possess a more jaundiced view of Hedge Funds.

Recent meetings between Hedge Funds and various Democratic officials have signaled Democratic issues with the current unregulated environment for Hedge funds.

Based upon their collective experiences, our panel will provide an insight into what the post election environment holds for the Hedge Fund Industry.

Moderator:
Howard Altman, CPA, Co-Managing Principal, Rothstein Kass

Panelists:
Marc Baum, JD, GC & CCO, Ramius
Gene A. Gohlke, PhD, CPA, Associate Director, OCIE, SEC

(Additional participants forthcoming)



3:00 - 3:50 PM
Fund Structures, Products & Distribution: Emerging Trends and Practices

As the Hedge Fund industry continues to evolve, Fund Managers face a new slate of challenges and opportunities. Essentially, fund performance has become a factor, not a driver, in the decision matrix of Sovereign Wealth Funds and larger Institutional Investors. These Allocators are becoming increasingly interested in the Fund structure and suite of product offerings. Additionally, larger UK and European Allocators place increasing importance on EU regulated funds. Furthermore, the regulatory environment provides a changing set of risks to meet these challenges and opportunities.

The panel shall highlight the evolving views of larger Allocators and regulators regarding:

• New Hybrid Fund Structures;
• Subscription practices;
• Fund practices regarding: Gates, Lock ups and Valuation;
• The treatment of “In house”, dedicated sales and business development personnel;
• Firm interaction with the general media vs. industry specific publications;
• Public relations – permissible conduct.

Moderator:
(To Be Announced)

Panelists:
Chris Mears, CPA, Principal, Rothstein Kass
Regina Thoele, VP of Compliance, National Futures Association
Thomas Biolsi, Associate Regional Director, NY, SEC

(Additional participants forthcoming)



3:50 – 4:40 PM
Alternative Investment Due Diligence Landscape in 2009 – Emerging Issues and Concerns

Institutional Investors continue to intensify their resolve to assure that Fund Managers have strong systems of internal controls and comprehensive business infrastructure. Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Plans, Endowments and Foundations continue to favor Alternative Investment Funds with superior executive management coupled with institutionalized infrastructure running their process and procedures.

Why? Allocators have a fiduciary duty to their investors, shareholders and plan participants. In order to adequately discharge this fiduciary duty, Allocators must continue to develop and refine their due diligence processes.

The speaking faculty will explore and evaluate the landscape for 2009, and identify the opportunities for Fund Managers and Allocators.

Moderator:
(To Be Announced)

Panelists:
Gary Berger, CPA, Principal, Rothstein Kass
Michael Lynch, Head of ORM, Tremont Capital Management
Kip Allardt, COO & CCO, Discovery Funds Management

(Additional participants forthcoming)



4:40 - 5:30 PM
Regulatory Priorities for Hedge Funds in 2009 – Critical Issues & Trends

Many firms are finding that Regulatory inquiries are escalating due to the prospective political and market environment. In order to preserve their reputation and enterprise value, alternative asset management executives must understand current regulatory issues as well as how to assess the character and scope of a regulatory inquiry.

Without this understanding a firm may severely compromise its reputation and relationships with current and prospective investors as well as its enterprise value.

Panelists will discuss the current regulatory priorities for Alternative Asset Managers in 2009, focusing on critical issues and trends.

• SEC Inspections – The Promise of a Standardized Questionnaire;
• NFA Examinations – A New & Comprehensive Risk Assessment Approach;
• Insider Trading;
• Valuation;
• Regulatory Enforcement Priorities.

Moderator:
Walter Zebrowski, JD, CPA, CIO, COO, Hedgemony Partners
  Chairman, Regulatory Compliance Association

Panelists:
Kevin O'Connor, JD, Associate Attorney General, US Dept. of Justice
Joan McKown, JD, Chief Counsel, SEC Division of Enforcement
Simon Lorne, JD, Vice Chairman and CLO, Millennium Partners

(Additional participants forthcoming)



Cocktail Reception 5:30 PM



For more information please call 212-997-3999 or you may Register now by Clicking Here.