MILWAUKEE, Wisc., June 2, 2016 – In a rare speaking engagement, Chicago based investor and advisor Byron Trott captivated a crowd of nearly 600 finance leaders as the keynote speaker at the 8th annual Investment Conference held Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Trott was the keynote speaker at the Investment Conference, which has become one of the Midwest’s must-attend events for cutting edge investment thinking. The Investment Conference is also a fundraiser for the financial literacy resources and educational programs of Make A Difference – Wisconsin, which kicks off its 10th year of programs this month.
Byron Trott is founder, chairman and CEO of BDT & Company. Trott and his firm are widely recognized for their work advising and investing in world-class family and founder-led companies. Based in Chicago, the firm’s affiliated investment funds manage more than $9 billion. Prior to founding BDT, Trott had a distinguished 27-year career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs.
“Byron Trott has stressed the importance of teaching financial literacy to the next generation of some of the world’s wealthiest families, which was just one of the many reasons why he was a perfect choice to keynote this year’s conference,” said Joe Schlidt, conference chair and Make A Difference – Wisconsin board member.
In an hour of wide-ranging remarks on topics ranging from trends in family businesses to the importance of taking on the problems that keep clients up at night if advisors are to gain trust, Trott returned several times to the topic of financial literacy.
“We at BDT & Company see the need for financial literacy among a broad range of young people,” said Trott, “particularly the next generation of business-owning families who need to be prepared to lead, whether it’s in the family business, the broader family enterprise, or as contributors to society.”
Trott also commended those in the audience who contributed to or volunteered their time to teach financial literacy.
“Those of you who have supported the Make a Difference – Wisconsin organization are giving teens critical knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in life, and they will never forget it,” he said.
Earlier in the conference, three local money managers – Mariko Gordon, David Schulz and Michael Keough – provided their investment recommendations to attendees. The conference has drawn many investment luminaries in the industry to the keynote role in prior years, including David Einhorn, Bill Ackman and Jim Chanos.
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2017 Investment Conference are available at 2016 rates for a limited time. Next year’s Investment Conference is slated for April 27, 2017, with one major speaker already lined up. Email Brenda Campbell, Make A Difference – Wisconsin president and CEO, for sponsorship opportunities. “Every sponsor makes a major impact toward empowering teens to make money smart decisions that last a lifetime,” Campbell said.
About Make A Difference – Wisconsin
Make A Difference – Wisconsin is a nonprofit founded in 2006 with a mission to empower teenagers with financial literacy lessons and resources. More than 50,000 teens at schools and community organization across the state have improved their financial understanding and behaviors from our volunteer-led programs and mentoring.