Delegation Attends GAIM USA 2011 Conference
Business Bermuda led a delegation of Bermuda international business executives at the GAIM USA 2011 Conference in Boca Raton, Florida from January 18 through January 20. The delegation was led by Susan Stirling, Marketing Director of Business Bermuda and included Greg Wojciehowski, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, Rod White, Group Manager of Equinox Alternative Investment Services, Vincent Sarullo, Managing Director of Apex Fund Services (US), and Yelena Packwood of Business Bermuda.
One of the leading events in the fund of hedge funds space, GAIM USA provided Bermuda and its business community with direct access to more than 700 of the leading advisors and fund managers in the market today. With critical decision makers from some of the most influential investment institutions in the world in attendance, the conference offered a unique opportunity to establish and continue to develop the key partnerships that have allowed Bermuda to grow and develop its financial services industry.
This year, the conference focused on investment opportunities in 2011 as the market continues to recover from a global recession. Another focal point was redefining portfolio objectives in this new risk environment. Expert panels also presented on the future of the hedge fund industry and provided quality opportunities to speak with investors face-to-face.
Business Bermuda exhibited at the Conference, which provided an opportunity to provide insight and competitive information on Bermuda that distinguished it from other jurisdictions. As the premier offshore jurisdiction, Bermuda easily became the choice for several investors attending the conference. There was also a distinct trend among investors visiting with the Bermuda delegation at its exhibit who were looking to enter the market with both an offshore and onshore structure to enlarge investor opportunities and attract international investors.
Commenting on the conference, Vincent Sarullo of Apex Fund Services said, “There was a clear sentiment among the investment managers at GAIM USA that having the ability to attract offshore investors was key to their future growth. Our ability to provide a structure in a well-recognized jurisdiction such a Bermuda, through our Emerging Manager Platform gave us the opportunity to engage these managers and stand out from the other Administrators attending the conference.”
“As we tell the Bermuda story directly to the hedge fund community and other alternative investors, they are increasingly attracted to the regulatory credibility and financial stability that exists in Bermuda,” said Ms. Stirling. “We will be continuing these efforts with events in Mexico, the U.K., the Middle East, and Asia in the coming months and are confident that we can continue to grow the number of funds that are domiciled and administered in Bermuda. We are a higher quality jurisdiction and that makes a huge difference in the mindset of the financial community particularly in era where regulations, legal precedent, and confidence in your business partners are more important than ever.”
Business Bermuda is a business organization of Bermuda resident service providers who provide quality banking, legal, accounting, financial, trust, management and insurance and reinsurance services and products. The organization works with the private sector and Government to develop and promote the island as one of the world’s foremost centers for international business.
