The Real Reason We Go to Conferences

We just wrapped up a week at the annual Stansberry Conference...

This was my fourth time as a presenter. As I wrote on Wednesday, my colleague Rob Spivey and I got to share some of our most provocative and compelling research from the past few months.

My main presentation was titled, "The End of 'The End of America.'" For far too long, the mainstream financial media – along with some reputable analysts – has been peddling a false narrative that America's global economic dominance is falling.

Rob and I were thrilled to meet subscribers, to discuss some of our ideas further in breakout sessions, and to wander the various halls listening to some of the most knowledgeable people in finance.

It's rare to get so many great minds in one place. But while the presentations are informative, they're not the most important reason for attending.

The real value of a conference like this comes from the 'in between' parts...

I'm talking about the unscripted stuff. This gathering gives you the opportunity to meet so many people at the same time... folks you might never get to talk to otherwise.

In the investing world, that is how you get a leg up.

There's a reason conferences are at the heart of the institutional investing world. Most hedge-fund analysts spend a huge chunk of their time on the road.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) alone hosts 28 conferences every year. They span nearly every industry, from health care to gaming, lodging, and industrials.

Again, the presentations are great. But anybody can tune in remotely these days. If you're looking to get an edge, you have to be there in person.

That's how you get the opportunity to talk to the CEO face to face... and ask the one question that might make or break a potential investment idea.

You never know who you'll run into in an elevator or what dinner you might get invited to. The impromptu conversations you have can change your outlook on an entire industry.

Of course, everyday investors can't attend every conference and talk to every CEO...

But there are other ways to get a similar edge.

Some of our institutional clients have been going to these conferences for years. They'll be the first to tell you that schedules don't always work out. So they take matters into their own hands...

Instead of full-blown conferences, many of our institutional clients host what they call "investment dinners."

They'll invite industry contacts, other investors, friends, family – you name it. Everyone bounces new ideas off one another over dinner.

Some people might be experts, and that's great. Others might have very little financial background. That's important, too. They might look at things from a different perspective and ask questions that someone with more knowledge never would.

This isn't something that only professional investors can do. Even if you don't attend many investment conferences, you can still find creative ways to create those in-between moments.

Investment dinners are a great tool. You could even make an informal "investment club" that meets and shares ideas regularly.

It might seem small, but there's no substitute for face-to-face discussion. It can often yield a critical piece of information that changes your buy or sell decision.

Wishing you love, joy, and peace,

Joel
October 28, 2022