The big financial crisis headache: IIC 2011

It’s the crisis that won’t go away—roller coaster markets, lingering debt problems and frustratingly low economic growth have dogged the global economy since the 2008 financial crisis took hold.

Which is why the Canadian Investment Review editorial team chose “Coping with the Financial Crisis Hangover” as its theme for the 2011 Investment Innovation Conference, held at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda. After a few years of dealing with the debt crises, plan sponsor delegates gathered to share insights and ideas on how to add value and manage risks in an increasingly tough investment environment.

This year’s conference focused on how to tap innovative tools and strategies that can ease the lingering pain of the financial crisis. Most of the discussion focused on volatility and how to manage it, from de-risking strategies to specific alternatives—such as hedge funds, private equity and infrastructure—that can be used to smooth it out. Throughout the conference, speakers shared their experiences, insights and solutions as the Investment Innovation Conference captured the best new investment thinking. Topics covered included the following:

With volatility likely to remain front and centre in 2012, it is clear that the next few years are going to see plan sponsors looking for innovative new ways to tackle the ongoing reality of challenging markets.

While the 2011 Investment Innovation Conference showcased new ideas and thinking in the investment and pension space, we also hope it sparked ideas and insights sponsors can use to improve their plans for members in the future.

Even with a tough road ahead, and continued trouble from the never-ending financial crisis, innovation will continue to allow Canadian plan sponsors to strive for the best.

Caroline Cakebread is the editor of Canadian Investment Review. caroline.cakebread@rogers.com

View exclusive on-site video coverage of the conference on BenefitsCanadaTV.

Get a PDF of this article and other coverage from the 2011 Investment Innovation Conference.