DC Investment Forum
Preliminary Agenda

DC INVESTMENT FORUM PRELIM AGENDA

Theme: DC Investing in a Post-Recession World

Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto

Tuesday September 21

6:30 p.m.                                 Cocktail Reception

7:30 p.m.                                 Opening Dinner Reception


Wednesday September 22

8:15 a.m.–8:45 a.m.               Registration and Breakfast


8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.               Opening Remarks


9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.            Keynote Session: Economic Update-- Trends to Watch For
Speaker: Aron Gampel, Chief Economist, Scotiabank

10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m.           Session 2: Investment Governance for DC Plans
After the stock market debacle that ended in 2009, most major indices have experienced considerable gains and recovered some of their losses. Unfortunately, though, they are still no-where near the highs that they attained prior to the credit crisis. What has also become more evident is that we may be entering a prolonged economic period of anaemic growth resulting from de-leveraging, re-regulation and de-globalization. This could potentially translate into lower overall single digit portfolio returns for the average DC plan member. In an environment where both DC plan sponsors and DC plan members are re-aligning their respective balance sheets in order to reduce debt, there seems to be pressure to reduce contribution levels as well. The result is a potential recipe for disaster in terms of plan members meeting their retirement needs. How can DC pension record keepers use effective investment governance to ensure that their multi-manager investment platforms make significant contributions towards mitigating this major challenge faced by both DC plan sponsors and DC plan members? What are the governance tools and best practices available to DC pension record keepers that will allow them to fully leverage their multi-manager investment offering and maximize returns for members at the fund level, portfolio level and platform level?
Speaker: Nick Iarocci, Vice-President, Investment Program, Standard Life

10:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m.            Networking Break

11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.            Session 3: Developments in De-accumulation Phase and Target Date Funds
What are the key principles, risks and implications for DC plan sponsors during the decumulation phase? This session will present strategies and trends for this stage and share a dynamic approach to asset allocation and investment strategy, particularly in light of the recent market experience.
Speaker: Michelle Loder, Canadian Defined Contribution Business Leader, Towers Watson Canada Inc.

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.           Networking Lunch

12:45 p.m.–1:30 p.m.           Session 4: Lessons In Lifecycle Investing: Target Date Funds
Lifecycle, or target-date funds continue to re-shape of the defined contribution pension landscape. This informative session will include a review of the target date fund industry, discuss factors that should be considered in evaluating target date funds, and explore the benefits of active vs. passive investing in lifecycle funds.
Speaker: Peter Walsh, Institutional Portfolio Manager, Pyramis Global Advisors

1:30 p.m.–1:45 p.m.                Networking Break

1:45 p.m.—2:30 p.m.              Session 5: TBA
                                                Speaker: Chip Castille, Managing Director, Blackrock

2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.                Session 6: Expert Panel


3:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m.              Closing Remarks and Cocktail Reception

For more information, contact Laurie Asuncion Editor, Conferences and Online Events

This page was last updated: June 21, 2010