There were many events cancelled during the SARS crisis, and one of them was CLSA's annual investor conference, which brings together the region's top companies and fund managers. The Spring event, which normally follows corporate March year ends, was set to celebrate its 10th anniversary when it became clear that SARS and the travel restrictions to Hong Kong would make the normal conference impossible to stage.
The multi-million dollar bash was cancelled in favour of a "virtual conference" where a new UK technology was used to beam speakers Princess Leia-like into the room. Everyone agreed it was innovative, but not exactly a perfect substitute for the conference proper, where investors relish the one-on-one meetings they can organize with companies in side rooms.
Now with SARS thankfully abated and the Asian stock markets showing strong growth, the CLSA conference has been revived and will take place at the end of this month.
And along with the conference comes the famous CLSA conference party, of course. In previous years this extravaganza has seen top acts such as Tom Jones, the Corrs and Mr lubba lubba himself, Shaggy flown in to add spice. The party this year will be held on September 24 and in the online invitation CLSA invites guests to their Funk Palace.
In the funk house this year will be Macy Gray, a gruff-voiced funkstress from the US whose most recent album is enigmatically entitled "The Trouble with Being Myself". Best known for hits 'Why didn't you call me' (an appropriate song for the brokerage industry) and 'I try', she won Grammy Awards in 1999 as Best New Artist and Best R&B female vocalist.
