The NAIC Road Shows, which connect member firms with select LPs in various markets, continues to be popular events and in 2016 we hosted five meetings: Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and Sacramento, CA. Among the participating LPs, advisors and consulting firms were:

• American Trading and Production Corporation
• Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Baltimore City Fire & Police
• California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)
• Cambridge Associates
• Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF)
• District of Columbia Retirement Board
• Exelon's pension plan
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
• Illinois State Board of Investment (ISBI)
• Illinois State Universities Retirement System (SURS)
• Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA)
• Los Angeles County Employees Retirement System (LACERS)
• Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP)
• Maryland State Retirement and Pension System
• Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (PRIM)
• Muller & Monroe
• NEPC LLC
• Pavilion Alternatives Group
• The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
• The Meketa Investment Group

The NAIC produced a series of web videos aimed at discussing industry issues and trends while showcasing the talent within the diverse marketplace. Titled NAIC Perspectives, the series has featured Ted Eliopoulos, Chief Investment Officer of CalPERS; Melody Rollins, Partner and Head of Client Service & Business Development of Brightwood Capital Advisors; José Feliciano, Managing Partner & Founder of Clearlake Capital Group; Frank Baker, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Siris Capital Group; Daniel L. Black is Managing Partner, the Wicks Group; and David Perez, President & Chief Operating Officer of Palladium Equity Partners.

All videos can be viewed at http://naicpe.com/tools/naic-perspectives/ or you can click below. Look for future E-news installments for announcements of more NAIC Perspectives videos in 2017!

Private Equity Women's Initiative

The Private Equity Women’s Initiative is another effort that continues to gain traction. Designed to increase the number of women entering and advancing in the private equity industry, it is a partnership between the NAIC and the American Investment Council (AIC) who recognize that women are grossly underrepresented in the industry, making up just 10 percent of senior employee ranks in private equity. The difficulties women face in surmounting barriers into the industry is compounded by the challenge of effectively navigating their way towards senior level positions.

In 2016, a committee comprised of members from both NAIC and AIC developed Industry Best Practices and Guidelines. Focus groups met and provided feedback and continue to be involved with sharing advice on how firms can best implement the best practices, and KPMG hosted a webcast, the first public event about this initiative. This will be an ongoing effort that we anticipate will positively contribute to more women having the opportunity to develop successful careers in the industry.

NAIC Publishes Managers in the Market Report

In 2016, we also began publishing the Managers in the Market Report, which provides an overview of each NAIC member firm that is currently fundraising, including an overview of the senior investment professionals, investment strategy, fund size and contact information. This report, created for limited partners, also includes a list of recently closed funds and funds coming to market within the next 12 months.

Compliance Corner Resource Page

This year we introduced Compliance Corner - http://naicpe.com/tools/compliance-corner/, which is produced courtesy of our partnership with Integrated Compliance Solutions. This new resource will provide updates to our members on regulatory changes as well as news and events that have an impact on how investment managers comply and conduct their fiduciary duties. Topics covered included how the SECs amended recordkeeping rules impacts firms in our industry, when private equity firms need to register as broker dealers, and how to implement an effective third-party due diligence program.

2016 Annual Private Equity & Hedge Fund Conference

Nearly 220 investment managers, chief investment officers, limited partners, policymakers gathered on October 3-4 to attend the NAIC Annual Private Equity & Hedge Fund Conference at Bank of America Tower in New York City. Highlights of the premier thought leadership event in alternative asset investing included an exciting welcome reception where the NAIC honored industry leaders, insightful panel discussions and networking opportunities. Please join us for next year’s Private Equity & Hedge Fund Conference for more insight, access to limited partners, and networking with industry insiders!

Looking Ahead

For the upcoming new year, you can expect the NAIC to continue its mission to showcase the talent within our community of managers while advocating for policy changes for greater diversity within the pool of investment professionals used by institutions and endowments. As always, we will keep you apprised of all new developments as they happen.

Until then, please have a blessed and prosperous holiday season and we will see you in 2017!