More than 150 individuals representing AIMA Canada member firms from across the country participated in annual wine-tasting receptions held in Toronto and Montreal respectively last week.
Sponsored by BMO Capital Markets, McMillan LLP and KPMG, the member appreciation receptions capped off a record year for AIMA Canada, which included some 60 social gatherings and content events, including regulatory updates and emerging managers’ series as well as the association’s first hedge fund conference, noted AIMA Canada Executive Director and BLG Partner Michael Burns.
“We have witnessed yet another extremely busy and successful year for AIMA Canada, with an increase in membership to 134 firms – six new members each in September and October alone,” Burns said at the Toronto reception. “It is through the hard work and dedication of our volunteers as well as the AIMA Canada staff that has allowed the organisation to produce a record number of events in 2015.”
Burns noted the success of AIMA Canada’s inaugural hedge fund conference held in Toronto in October, which attracted a diverse cross-section of investors and allocators as well as hedge fund managers and service providers. The second annual conference is planned for October 3-4, 2016 in Montreal.
He also noted the success of various consulate events held in Chicago, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, which attracted scores of international investors to hear more about the Canadian alternatives industry and its benefits, as well as meet a cross section of Canadian hedge fund managers. Additional consulate events in London and Australia are planned for 2016.
At home, Burns highlighted the association’s efforts on the regulatory front, noting that AIMA Canada’s Legal and Finance Committee produced six comment letters pertinent to the industry – part of ongoing efforts to both respond to and consult on current and proposed regulations affecting the Canadian alternative investment industry.
He also noted the creation of the Operations and Compliance Committee, part of the association’s expanded efforts to help bridge the gap between professionals in manager member firms, legal and tax professionals and the province’s securities commissions.
Annual wine tasting events were also held in Vancouver and Calgary in October.
