Find out why RFP, client services, and marketing professionals return year after year to FRA’s Mastering Client Services and RFPs for Institutional Investors conference. This year’s event will take place in New York City on March 26-27.
Don’t miss your chance to obtain comprehensive guidance to excel in this drastically competitive landscape.
Attendees will have two days to network, share best practices, and learn from leading experts in the industry during the Mastering Client Services and RFPs for Institutional Investors conference, which will be held at The Harmonie Club in New York City on March 26-27.
Here are the top five features of this year’s conference:
1. New pre-conference workshop topic
A pre-conference workshop will be offered Thursday morning before the main conference kicks off at 1 p.m. The interactive session is ideal for RFP team members or team managers who want to improve efficiency within their workflow.
Participants will learn stringent guidelines to excel and stand out in RFP writing, how to structure an RFP team to improve productivity, strategies to create a successful RFP timeline, and how to streamline the process for RFP approval from all stakeholders.
2. Four key conference themes
Four different track themes are incorporated in the two-day conference. Here are some highlighted sessions within each theme:
- RFP team development and management
Thought leaders Alison Bray, director, RFPs and due diligence, Baron Capital and Melissa Lane, business development proposal manager, Colonial Consulting, LLC®, will discuss how to manage an ever-growing number of RFPs while maintaining desired quality.
In the session, Bray and Lane will share how to create an environment of continuous quality improvement and compliance to produce effective proposals, ensure qualifications are met prior to completing an RFP, and tips for designing and implementing processes that maintain workload balance.
- Vendor technology selection and integration
Strategies to identify the right fit when selecting a vendor will be led by Daniel Rollins, assistance vice president, global marketing operations, MFS Investment Management. Rollins will discuss different tech solution needs, how to conduct a cost analysis of each tech solution option, and tips to determine which tech solutions will help avoid costly mistakes.
- Due diligence and database management
Ellen Jones, VP, global marketing services, Nuveen, will moderate the session, avoid common pitfalls when building, purchasing, and managing your database, with panelist Zach Bono, assistant vice president, business development services, Federated Investors, Inc.
Bono will examine the process of building or rebuilding a database, how to create a process for data entry and identifying who oversees each component, and will also discuss the benefits of using a vendor to install and manage your database.
- Client services
Thought leaders will take a look into the dramatic rise in the importance of responsible investing, ESG, and impact investing.
Sandra Myburgh, CEO, FERN Impact Partners, Drianne Benner, managing director, Appomattox Advisory, Inc., and Elizabeth Hiss, investment research analyst, Brown Advisory, will evaluate the increased importance of ESG/impact/sustainable investing and how to adapt to the changes, discuss ESG and why it’s here to stay, share strategies for achieving sustainability, and best practices for setting a business apart from competitors.
3. Tools and tech spotlights
There will be ten-minute tools and tech spotlights throughout Thursday and Friday. In the quick-fire sessions, tools and technology experts will share their solutions and how they improve efficiencies for organizations.
Attendees will learn about the latest tools and technology for increasing workflow efficiency.
4. Bonus lunchtime session
New this year is the bonus session offered during lunchtime on day two, providing attendees the opportunity to maximize their educational experience.
Nicole Taetsch, vice president, ZAIS Group, LCC, will lead the session aimed to tap into efficient processes when operating in a small RFP team. Taetsch will discuss strategies to structure smaller teams, examine pros and cons of operating with a smaller team and process enhancements, and leverage technology solutions for improved efficiency and managed workloads.
5. Scheduled networking
There will be eight scheduled networking opportunities throughout the two days, providing ample time for participants to share ideas and make strong connections with specialists in the field.
Networking will take place during breakfast and lunch, in between breakouts, and during a cocktail reception on Thursday evening.
The 5th Annual Mastering Client Services and RFPs for Institutional Investors will take place March 26-27at The Harmonie Club in New York City. Click here to see the full agenda and here to register.