AIMA Dispatches: Eventful

By AIMA CEO, Jack Inglis

Published: 20 November 2024

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AIMA website analytics reveals that information about our exclusive events attracts the most visitor interest.

If you are a member of AIMA reading this, you will likely have attended one of our in-person or virtual events. Maybe you spoke on a panel or helped the whole event occur through sponsorship. Hopefully, you learned something new about our industry and grew your network. You would be hard-pressed not to, given that more than 18,000 individuals from more than 30 countries have engaged with our 15 flagship conferences and hundreds of webinars so far this year.

As CEO of AIMA, my greatest privilege is witnessing firsthand our organisation’s extraordinary global reach. Over the past three months, this reach has been evident. From London to Hong Kong, Sydney to Toronto, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, our global events have delivered exceptional value to our members and highlighted the vibrancy and dynamism of the alternative industry around the globe.

I prioritised attending many of these events, engaging directly with members to understand their unique perspectives and challenges. These conversations are invaluable, by showcasing the strength and diversity of our membership and ensuring AIMA stays closely aligned with the ever-evolving global asset management industry.

Below is a glimpse of some of the key events we hosted with our members over the past few months:

Innovation on display

In London, AIMA’s inaugural Innovation Day in September showcased our pioneering role in driving the transformative changes shaping our industry and society at large.

Supported by a stellar cast of visionary speakers and sponsors unveiling groundbreaking advancements from quantum computing to space exploration, this event underscored the industry’s remarkable agility to embrace and adopt cutting edge technologies. The energy throughout the day was palpable and I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the ingenuity and talent propelling us into the future.

Private credit’s resilience

Staying in London, our annual ACC Summit at the beginning of October brought together the most influential private credit asset managers and asset owners for a day of dynamic discussions, invaluable networking, and actionable insights. The consensus was clear that is private credit is thriving, even amid higher-for-longer interest rates and portfolio stress.

Connecting global investors

Moving to North America, AIMA’s largest-ever investor-focused event in Toronto in October  celebrated its 10th anniversary and brought over 500 asset owners and asset managers from around the globe for two days of thought leadership. The message was a resounding one: hedge funds and alternative investments are delivering for investors with continued downside protection and alpha generation. The huge turnout reflected a shared commitment to finding innovative solutions for navigating an increasingly complex set of global financial markets amid a new geopolitical paradigm.

Vibrancy in Hong Kong: AIMA’s APAC Forum

I attended our annual APAC Forum in Hong Kong, which welcomed its largest delegation to date, proving the region’s resilience and renewed energy. Notably, I had the opportunity to sit down with US SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, a key figure, whose insights on global industry regulatory priorities were both timely and thought-provoking. APAC’s vibrancy is clear to see, and Hong Kong is playing its part.

Down Under

Staying in APAC, our annual industry event held every September in Sydney took on a different hue this year. Responding to your calls for more opportunities to network and learn in Australia, we launched Sydney Alternative Investment Week, bringing the magic of the AIMA Australia Forum together with the Alternative Future Foundation to showcase the very best thought leadership on alternative investments from across Australia and the wider APAC region. Although I didn’t make it to this one, I’ve already secured my spot for 2025.

UAE – the next global hotspot for alternative investments

Finally, to the UAE, like everyone else in the world, I have been fascinated by the huge strides being taken to make the region a world class centre for fintech. To foster local industry dialogue, last month AIMA  convened several industry roundtables and engaged with the country’s leading authorities and regulators as the industry continues to grow in number and influence. 

2025 – Bigger, bolder, global

AIMA’s strength lies in its membership—a community as diverse as the alternative investment industry itself. From managers and investors to the industry’s service providers, our members are reflecting the breadth of our advocacy and engagement efforts with the world’s leading policymakers and regulators.

In 2025, our commitment to connecting the industry will only deepen. Looking ahead to the first quarter, we will be hosting our increasingly popular Private Credit Investor Forum in Miami at the end of January followed by our Middle East event in Dubai in February. Rounding out the quarter will see AIMA celebrate the 25th anniversary of its annual Global Regulatory and Policy Forum in New York.  

The events will keep coming, with our digital assets’ events, Next Generation Manager Forum, and our investor gatherings to name a few others, AIMA will be there with you every step of the way.  

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this with us in 2025 and be where it matters. For further details on all of these and more, please go to our Events page.