Family offices are a growing force in global finance, managing the investments and wealth of ultra-high net worth individuals and families. As their assets under management expand, family offices are increasingly looking to connect with other industry players and identify promising investment opportunities at major investment conferences. Here we explore some of the key takeaways and benefits for family offices that participate in top investment conferences around the world.
Access to exclusive investment opportunities previously unavailable
Many family offices utilize investment conferences to gain access to exclusive investment prospects not widely available to other investors. Conference organizers frequently negotiate discounted fees or preferential access to new private equity funds, venture capital deals, and other alternative investments in exchange for family office attendance. By networking with fund managers and fellow ultra-high net worth attendees, family offices can tap into lucrative co-investment or early-stage financing opportunities.
Connecting with peers for co-investment partnerships
Forming co-investment partnerships with other family offices can be a highly beneficial move, allowing pooled resources for larger, complex deals while diversifying risk. Top-tier global investment conferences deliver an ideal venue for family office principals to connect face-to-face with compatible peers and lay the groundwork for syndicating future deals. Many family offices regard the in-person meetings and networking facilitated at industry conferences as key to identifying and vetting potential co-investment partners.
Learning about new macroeconomic trends and technologies
Participation in investment conferences grants family offices valuable perspective on emerging macroeconomic developments and technological innovations that may influence investment decisions. Renowned subject matter experts often present new market research, geo-political risk analyses, and briefings on breakthrough technologies at these industry forums. Conferring first-hand with top economists, policy specialists, and technology pioneers allows family offices to incorporate cutting-edge insights into their strategic asset allocation and risk management.
Benchmarking performance and strategies with peers
In addition to making new connections, family offices also utilize investment conferences as an opportunity to benchmark their performance and investment strategies against peers. Comparing portfolio returns, asset allocation mixes, and approaches to issues like ESG integration allows family offices to gauge their relative competitiveness. Conversations with other executives and asset managers may yield fresh ideas and best practices that attendees can implement in their own organizations and investment processes.
Assessing new asset managers and service providers
Conferences offer family offices a concentrated setting to efficiently evaluate and vet new external asset management firms and specialized service providers in areas like tax, legal, cyber-security, and wealth management. Many top conferences dedicate segments to introductions between family offices and investment managers looking to win new business. This exposure allows family offices to assess a broad spectrum of new service providers in one location over a short time period.
Major family office investment conferences provide valuable opportunities to explore new investment prospects, forge partnerships, benchmark performance, and enhance knowledge of market trends. Assessing new managers and service providers is also a key benefit these forums offer. Participation can expose family offices to lucrative prospects and insights that strengthen investment outcomes.