Observations of a Knock-out Investor Conference
Three people got punched in the face and knocked out at the 16th Annual B. Riley & Co. Investor Conference, held last week at a Hollywood hotel, directly next door to where the final episode of American Idol was being recorded at the same time.
It was not the kind of night-time brawl to which investors are accustomed. And fortunately, it was not investors who felt the sting of those punches.
Rather, in partnership with the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, B. Riley hosted the 6th Annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” charity boxing night in conjunction with the conference. The event supports the Foundation’s mission to raise funds for research and awareness to cure Type 1 diabetes and to help children live healthier lives.
For an organization that is part of a fraternity generally known more for greed and making money for itself and its clients, it was refreshingly cool to be part of this invitation-only charity event, that featured food by Wolfgang Puck, an open bar, a world class auction of iconic memorabilia, and a rich environment for business networking.
As for the day-time part of the conference…it was pretty cool as well. More than 200 emerging and middle market companies from a wide range of industries presented to packed rooms of institutional investors, who journeyed to Hollywood from all parts of the United States.
Attendees were treated to chair massages with short lines, fun tchotchkes from sponsors— including a wide array of pens, flashlights, chocolate, ginger candy, key chains, cute little footballs and many glass bowls in which to deposit business cards, with chances to win even bigger items. As well, there was the option of skipping a presentation or two and sashaying down Hollywood Boulevard to gaze at the stars.
There were more men wearing ties than one would expect. There were more people showing off their new Apple watches than one would expect. And just as one would expect, there were many great presentations, and, of course, some boring ones.
It was a classy conference…one could say a knock-out conference in all respects, in which the presenting companies, the investors, the sponsors, and best of all, kids with Type 1 diabetes, all benefitted.
– Roger Pondel, rpondel@pondel.com
