Members of the recently revived Remora Group used Morningstar's event to gather in an unofficial wake -- or what the more optmistic would call a baby shower before the group's new incarnation births in the Fall.

Ken Gutwillig, owner of Financial Decisions, explained that the informal group of fund marketers used the conference to gather one last time under the Remora name before officially launching the Investment Managers and Advisors Alliance (IMAA).

The group's goal is to find ways to better work with financial advisors. Historically, Remora held informal gatherings between marketers from a couple dozen advisor-sold fund firms and key advisors in different cities.

Gutwillig said that the IMAA plans to hold "dozens" of regional "Remora-style" meetings around the country each year as part of an effort to bring the profession out of "its current funk."

The first of those events was a breakfast Thursday morning at the Morningstar conference. The second event -- a lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern.

The group's formal birthing is planned for September during the Schwab Impact conference in San Diego.

The IMAA is also putting together a Web site and is seeking ideas on how to better influence the financial media and press. 

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