Are you prepared for a shaky 2009?

The global financial crisis has left many investors scrambling for answers. For example, many investment grade managers now find themselves critically concerned with questions that were previously the domain of high yield strategies. In all areas, firms are seeking ways to streamline and consolidate systems.

Prepare yourself to tackle these new challenges at FactSet’s fourth annual Investment Process Symposium, held November 5-7 at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. Every part of the Symposium is designed to be thought-provoking and to uncover ideas and answers you won’t find anywhere else.

On Wednesday, November 5, the Symposium offers five pre-conference workshops, targeted towards intermediate to advanced FactSet users, that cover topics such as risk analysis and portfolio optimization methods. Thursday, general sessions begin with a keynote address by one of the most far-seeing political economists of our time, Robert J. Shiller. Shiller is reknown for his brilliant forecasts of financial bubbles and his penetrating insights into market dynamics. In September, Shiller released his latest book, The Subprime Solution, which explains the housing market's collapse and proposes measures to solve not only the current crisis but the underlying economic weaknesses that made these bubbles possible.

Throughout the day Thursday and Friday, attendees can attend a variety of sessions in five concurrent tracks: Portfolio Management, Quantitative Investment Management, Fixed Income Analysis, Industry and Market Trends, and Product Workshops.

During meal times, attendees take part in one-of-a-kind networking opportunities with some of the best-known and most respected thinkers in the industry. On Thursday, the entire group will head to Universal’s Islands of Adventure to spend the evening on Marvel Super Hero Island, a gleaming comic book city gripped in the never-ending conflict between good and evil. Several of the rides and attractions will be open for the exclusive use of FactSet’s guests.

After more than 40 sessions, the Symposium will close with a keynote address from former Secretary of the Treasury John William Snow. As Secretary of the Treasury, Snow worked closely with President George W. Bush on a broad array of economy policy issues. From 1994 through 1996 Snow served as Chairman of the Business Roundtable, where he played a major role in supporting passage of NAFTA and working on the deficit reduction agreement. Snow is widely recognized as a leading champion of improved corporate governance practices.

FactSet is registered with the CFA Institute as an Approved Provider of professional development programs. The Symposium is eligible for PD credit hours as granted by the CFA Institute.

Clients can register at www.factset.com/symposium2008. For promotions and discount codes, call the Symposium hotline at 800-773-1002.