Futures Industry Association Expo 2007

For the futures and derivatives industry, the Futures Industry Association Expo is one of the biggest events of the year. It’s a chance for everyone who works in the derivatives market to get together and discuss new developments in the field and the direction of the industry going forward. More than 4000 people from 20 different countries attended the Expo. The crowd included staff at brokerage firms and exchanges, floor traders, pension fund managers, corporate treasurers, CTAs and CPOs, and individual investors.

This year’s Expo focused on the topic of equity futures and options. Commodity Futures Trading Commission acting director Walt Lukken addressed the group on November 27, 2007 and discussed the keys to smart regulation in the futures industry, particularly in light of the credit crunch arising out of the subprime crisis. On November 28, sessions on Exhange Leaders in Equity Options and Algorithmic Trading were popular. On the last day of the conference, November 29, presentations on Building a Mangaged Funds Business and Trends in Managed Funds were well attended.

Of course, there was the gossip of who’s making money and who’s losing it, who is now working where and why certain people weren’t there. It’s the biggest gathering of futures traders, technology vendors and innovative leaders. The best part is that it takes place in Chicago, my hometown.

The biggest gossip was about why the Chicago Mercantile Exchange did not exhibit at the conference. Their space was filled with an FIA booth on the floor and their absence was definitely felt by people who had expected a big appearance by the CME. I personally missed the huge chocolate bars they gave out last year.

I asked a few people on the floor why the CME wasn’t exhibiting and their reasons varied. One person said the CME had too much going on everywhere else and couldn’t fit the FIA into their schedule. Another said that they hadn’t merged the two marketing departments yet to present one booth.

My question is this; what is the CME saying to their many customers that attend the FIA event each year? Please leave a comment below if you have one.

I do have to say this; whatever their reasoning may be, it was a great marketing scheme. The talk on the street was all about why they weren’t there. They probably got more buzz than some firms that actually exhibited at the show.

Further:
23rd Annual Futures & Options Expo
Futures Industry
Chicago Mercantile Exchange