For those looking to learn and liaise in 2017, finance summits are a must. These are the meetings that those looking to make a real impression in the global finance world need to be attending. The contacts and networking opportunities these events confer can’t be established over email or telephone and, even if they can, they might take many months or years. These are educational and inspirational talks – a flying visit won’t really give you what you need – and conveniently the events in the UK often take part in or near London hotels so that you see plenty of the city while you’re there.
Here, then, are some of the summits that you shouldn’t ignore in 2017.
Innovate Finance Global Summit 2017, April 10-11, Guildhall, London
It bills itself as “the world’s biggest celebration of achievement in FinTech” – and one that aims to give a platform for big hitters, startups, policy makers and investors all in one place, to collaborate and learn together. Typically attracting more than 2000 attendees and boasting more than 20 breakout sessions across a square mile, the speakers are of a particular diversity that you simply will not find in other conferences. Nowhere else would one find a mix such as this: names confirmed for 2017 include Lloyds Banking Group director of innovation Claire Calmejane, City of London Police commissioner Ian Dyson, Partnership Fund for New York City president and CEO Maria Gotsch, Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal, and Professor of Computing and Director of the Financial Computing Centre at University College London Dr Philip Treleaven.
Deep Learning in Finance Summit, London, June 1-2
As the title suggests, this summit is heavily focused on learning, at a technical and technological level, from innovators in multiple fields across the world. The excellent website suggests that not only will CEOs, CFOs and founders attend and benefit, but also data scientists and engineers. Among the topics covered are deep learning algorithms, stock market prediction and pattern recognition, while scheduled speakers include representatives from Prudential, Zopa, AXA and various universities.
Annual Global Commodities Finance Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, June 8-9
Describing itself as “the longest running, definitive event for commodity finance leaders”, this event is now in its 14th year. It will attempt to provide some clarity in turbulent financial conditions by exploring issues such as the effects of a potential protectionist US trade regime and China becoming the ‘new de-facto champion of global free trade.’ Speakers include representatives from Trafigura, Rabobank and Deutsche Bank.
The twelfth meeting of the group of 20 will be held in Germany, before moving to Argentina in 2017. This is a summit of world leaders and central banks, and clearly getting registration is going to be impossible for most! However, it deserves a brief mention for several reasons: a) it will be interesting to see the relationships between some of the more contentious leaders, such as Merkel, Putin, Trump and May and b) a huge number of financial, economic and trade issues will be discussed with the aim of finding financial stability. Those discussions will percolate down to the worldwide business fraternity, so the conclusions should at least be appreciated by all.
European Financial Information Summit 2017, September 13
Full details for this summit have not yet been released, but one can expect interactive sessions, debates, and panel discussions from keynote speakers; last year’s roster included Olga Petrenko from ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority), HSBC deputy CDO Mark Bird, and JP Morgan Chase CDO Paul Cairns.
Saudi Trading Finance Summit, Jeddah, November 7-8
More of a specialized summit, but a strong way to meet influential Arabic contacts. Organised by the QnA International, this summit will cover markets such as industrial raw materials and minerals, such as bauxite, limestone, phosphate, and iron ore.
Market Data Training, London, November 14-16
Another learning summit, but one with the specific purpose of preparation for the FISD/ Financial Information Association certification, which are major tools in exploring and understanding the technical and administrative aspects of the market data industry. The syllabus of the three-day training covers everything from challenges in the Asian markets to technology to datafeeds to algorithmic trading. There’s also an identical course in New York on September 18-20 if you want a date closer to home.