More than 250 attendees, including many key operations folk at mutual fund firms, attended the NICSA General Membership Meeting at the Boston Hyatt Regency from September 19 to 20th, located just a few blocks from Boston Commons, Chinatown and the city's South Station.

Speakers included MIT professor Joseph Coughlin, Eaton Vance managing director for marketing and distribution strategy, and Kevin Kelcourse Boston-based assistant director for the asset management unit of the SEC's enforcement division. A full list of speakers and topics can be found at the event's website.

The two-day event featured a number of rousing receptions indulging attendees in Boston's rich sports history. Executives competed with each oher on electric basketball free-throw and football target throwing games. At one point, the ballroom featured a giant rendition of the Red Socks scoreboard.

Food was either sports-themed or inspired by New England's best. Noshes included cheese-filled brats, seafood pizza, country pork or beef entrees among numerous other delights.

Mascot Pat the Patriot was on hand to shake hands and sign autographs, leading to good-natured ribbing on team loyalties. When one executive was having her photo taken with the legendary mascot, her colleagues asked "Wait. Aren't you a Giants' fan?" "No," was the response. She was a Jets fan. Long live the fan.

The event included the NOVA Awards, sponsored by NICSA and the trade publication Money Management Executive. The awards this year had received double the nominations received last year. Industry guru's Theresa Hamacher and Robert Pozen were on hand to honor this year's winners. Honorees included: Putnam Investments as the winner for Creativity in Marketing Operations, with honorable mention going to IndexIQ; OppenheimerFunds Intermediary Services winning for Innovations in Back Office Efficiencies, with SEI -- Investment Manager Services garnering an honorable mention. For Innovations in Customer Service the award went to the FundVisualizer system of ,Putnam Investments, with the honorable mention nod to Janus Capital Group - Team CVS: Craig Brown, Ginger Fanning, John Urosevich. Meanwhile, the Visionary Leadership award went to Jim Tracy of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and the honorable mention to Charles Rizzo, John Hancock Funds. 

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE