New Chapter is CAIA’s largest and most far-reaching, encompassing CAIA members from more than 60 countries
AMHERST, MASS. (11, March, 2015) – The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, has opened its newest Chapter: the CAIA Virtual Chapter. Designed to meet the needs of those CAIA members who are based in countries or cities that do not yet have a physical CAIA Chapter, the CAIA Virtual Chapter will offer multiple online educational events every year, a calendar of in-person meetings in a wide variety of locales around the globe, and dedicated Chapter leadership to promote dialogue and facilitate networking among members.
“CAIA’s 7,300 members come from more than 80 countries, and a robust network of 20 Chapters around the world. However, that still left thousands of our members without a local Chapter to call their own,” said William J. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CAIA. “Technology allows us to bridge those gaps with a ‘Virtual Chapter,’ which immediately becomes our largest Chapter in terms of Members. This is a unique approach for associations that we feel will bring value to our Members globally.”
The launch of the CAIA Virtual Chapter will be marked by an interactive educational session, presented by Chapter head Keith Black, Ph. D., CAIA, CFA and Managing Director, Curriculum and Exams for the CAIA Association, on “Investment Practices of Sovereign Wealth Funds.” CAIA Members from 52 cities plan to attend the inaugural event.
“Our first event will explore how sovereign wealth funds allocate assets to alternative investments and how this impacts the future of our industry,” said Dr. Black. “We will look at sovereign wealth funds from a global perspective and examine, for example, what oil-rich Norway’s Government Pension Fund has in common with the FX-funded China Investment Corporation. Participants will be able to submit questions in advance and during the event, sparking what we hope will be a provocative and educational discussion.”
The CAIA Association offers the only educational pro¬gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The CAIA Charter, which is granted upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams combined with relevant professional experience and joining the association membership, is the global benchmark for alternative investment education.
The Virtual Chapter is CAIA’s 21st global chapter. The CAIA Association has grown rapidly since its inception in 2002 and now supports chapters in financial centers around the world. CAIA sponsors more than 120 educational and networking events each year and has 31 academic partnerships with leading universities, including 12 in the Americas, 10 in EMEA, and nine in Asia Pacific.
At the time of its launch, the Virtual Chapter will include nearly 2,200 CAIA members. Going forward, the Chapter will promote ongoing continuing education, professional development and networking opportunities for investment professionals around the world.
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a member of the CAIA Association, a global network of 7,300 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 countries. CAIA also offers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (FAI), an introductory-level online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education.
To learn more about the CAIA Association, contact Deborah McLean (413) 253-7373 or dmclean@caia.org. For more information on the CAIA Charter, please visit caia.org.
