Billy Crystal is at New York City's Metropolitan Opera, entertaining Baron Funds [profile] shareholders and financial advisors. Crystal is the capstone "surprise entertainment" at the end of 27th annual Baron Investment Conference (Crystal also appeared at the 2006 Baron conference), hosted by Baron Capital founder Ron Baron and his team. The theme this year is "Growth + Values."

Once again, the Baron folks took over Gotham's Lincoln Center for the all-day event. After breakfast this morning, CEOs of some of Baron Funds' portfolio companies took the stage to talk about their businesses, then attendees divided into different halls for surprise comedy shows over lunch. One hall featured Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live fame. Another hall featured Mel Brooks.

Meanwhile, another famous NYC-area fundster entrepreneur, Mario Gabelli of Gamco, was also spotted at the conference (though not on stage).

Earlier this afternoon, Amy Chasen, Baron's director of research, moderated a panel discussion featuring a host of Baron PMs. Then Baron Funds president Linda Martinson took the stage for another panel, followed by Baron himself, followed by an audience Q&A.

Baron focused his remarks around “NAV”: not for net asset value, but for 1) the USA being a “Nation of immigrants,” 2) “America’s secret growth engine: immigrants and their values,” and 3) the “Values of people in whom Baron invests.”

Oh, and Baron revealed that he’s not going anywhere soon. In an audience Q&A, he revealed that he never wants to retire. 

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