Business Services Industry

Los Angeles Times Investment Strategies Conference to Feature Hands-On Workshops, Panels By Leading Investment Experts

Business Wire, Jan 20, 2000

Business &News Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2000

SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt to Deliver Keynote Address;

Tech-Stock &uot;All Star&uot; Panel to Focus on Hottest Technology Stocks

Conference to Be Held Feb. 12-13 at Los Angeles Convention Center

For the almost half of American households whose stock and mutual fund holdings comprise about 35 percent of their financial assets, market volatility and savvy stock selection are matters of economic survival.

For Southern California investors -- retirees, Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers alike -- the Los Angeles Times Investment Strategies Conference &Expo may help provide the competitive edge they need to not just survive but prosper.

The fourth annual conference will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, and Sunday, Feb. 13, from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Major panels and workshops will focus on what's in store for the stock market in 2000; investing in the high-tech, telecommunications and foreign sectors; and using the Web to research high-growth stocks and mutual funds.

Highlighting Saturday's program will be Arthur Levitt, Securities and Exchange Commission chairman. In the past, Levitt has made significant policy statements at this investment forum.

The General Session on Sunday will feature a Tech Stock All-Star panel that will offer insights into the best high-tech and telecommunications stocks in the market today. Leading advisers participating in the panel include Kevin Landis of Firsthand Funds, Alberto Vilar from Amerindo Investment Management and Ron Elijah of RS Management.

The conference will also feature several two-hour workshops that will show investors how to re-evaluate their mutual fund portfolios, help retirees manage their retirement finances and teach novices the basics of investing. For the experienced investor, two of the sessions will focus on advanced stock trading strategies including technical analysis, puts and calls, and other secrets of the pros.

Other panel sessions will focus on financing a child's education; getting the most from your 401(k), IRA and other retirement accounts; tax and financial planning strategies; and &uot;basket&uot; securities and other new investment ideas.

Financial advisers participating in the two-day event represent a host of nationally recognized firms including American Express Financial Advisors, Deloitte &Touche, Ernst &Young, Fidelity Investments, Franklin Templeton, John Hancock Funds, Morningstar, Charles Schwab &Co. and The Vanguard Group.

More than 70 financial and investment companies and organizations will be on hand in the exhibit hall to provide information and resources on investment and financial issues. In addition to sponsors and exhibitors, the NAIC (National Association of Investors Corporation) Pavilion will offer information on investment clubs and other financial topics.

Advance registration is $45 for one day and $55 for both days. After Feb. 9, registration is $55 for one day and $65 for two days. Admission to only the exhibit hall and general session is $10. On-site registration is $55 for one day and $65 for two days. Individual panel admission is $25 per session. Arthur Levitt's address only will be open to the public at no charge.

Registrations can be made by calling 800/350-3211. There is a $10 discount for Internet registrations, which can be made at www.latimes.com/isc.> The conference is sponsored by Charles Schwab &Co., Fidelity Investments, Franklin Templeton and Morningstar.

Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities should call 213/237-2037.

               Investment Strategies Conference Schedule

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000

8 a.m.           Exhibit hall and registration open
9-11:15 a.m.     Workshops
                 --   Morningstar's Mutual Fund Portfolio Makeover:
                      How to Reevaluate What You Own
                 --   The Motley Fool Workshop: Tom Gardner and the
                      Fool's Way to Invest for Growth
                 --   Money Makeover: Personal Debt Management and
                      Budgeting Basics
9:30-10:45 a.m.  Panels
                 --   Guru Panel: Market Outlook for 2000
                 --   Internet Stocks: Experts Pick Their Favorites
                 --   Maximizing 401(k)s &IRAs: Getting the Most from
                      Your Retirement Accounts
                 --   Direct Equity Investing: Venture Capital
                      Opportunities for Qualified Investors
10:45 a.m.-Noon  Lunch and exhibit hall
Noon-1:30 p.m.   Keynote: Arthur Levitt, chairman, Securities and
                          Exchange Commission
2-4:15 p.m.      Workshops
                 --   Advanced Stock Trading Strategies: Technical
                      Analysis and Other Secrets of the Pros
                 --   Setting a Course for Retirement: How to Get on
                      and Stay on a Path to Financial Security
                 --   Stock Investing for Beginners: The Basics for
                      Building and Maintaining a Portfolio of Stocks
2-3:15 p.m.      Panels
                 --   Great Undiscovered Funds: Managers You May Not
                      Know, but Should
                 --   Foreign Stock Ideas: Overseas Investing
                      Strategies for 2000
                 --   Picking Blue Chips: Focus on the Best Names to
                      Own Now
                 --   Gen X Investing: How and Why Gen X Can Make Its
                      Own Investing Rules
3:30-4:45 p.m.   Panels
                 --   Financing Your Kids' Education: Best Strategies
                      for Saving and Tapping Financial Aid
                 --   California Muni Bond Investing: How to Boost
                      Tax-Free Income and Lower Risk
                 --   Focus on Entertainment Stocks: Cashing in on
                      Hollywood and Media - Boffo or Bomb?
                 --   Picking Telecom Stocks: Best Ideas From the
                      Wired and Wireless Worlds
5:30 p.m.        Exhibit hall closes


Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000

8 a.m.           Exhibit hall and registration open
9-11:15 a.m.     Workshops
                 --   Morningstar's Mutual Fund Basics: Fund-Picking
                      and Portfolio-Building for Beginners
                 --   Advanced Stock Trading Strategies: Technical
                      Analysis and Other Secrets of the Pros
9:30-10:45 a.m.  Panels
                 --   Tax Planning and Strategies to Lessen the
                      Federal and State Bite
                 --   Your Parents' Finances: Questions to Ask,
                      Answers to Get (At Any Age)
                 --   Beyond Mutual Funds: &uot;Basket&uot; Securities and
                      Other New Investment Ideas
10:45 a.m.-Noon  Lunch and exhibit hall
Noon-1:30 p.m.   Keynote: Tech All-Stars: Top Fund Managers Give Their
                          Picks
2-4:15 p.m.      Workshops
                 --   Morningstar's Mutual Fund Portfolio Makeover:
                      How to Reevaluate What You Own
                 --   Options Trading: Put &Call Strategies for
                      Hedging and Speculating
                 --   Retirement Finances for Those Already There
2-3:15 p.m.      Panels
                 --   Financial and Investing Issues For Part-Time and
                      Self-Employed Workers
                 --   Income-Oriented Investing: Where to Find the
                      Yields You Need
                 --   Growth Stocks: Great Ideas Outside the Tech
                      Field
                 --   Maximizing 401(k)s &IRAs: Getting the Most From
                      Your Retirement Accounts
3:30-4:45 p.m.   Panels
                 --   Women's Investment Issues
                 --   Making the Most of the Web: Great Investing and
                      Financial Sites to Know and Use
5:30 p.m.        Conference ends. Exhibit hall closes