PMAR 2019 Agenda Draws a Singular Question

We recently published the agenda for our upcoming PMAR (Performance Measurement, Attribution & Risk) North America conference, and have been asked the same question by several colleagues:

“Why isn’t there a GIPS® 2020 session?” 

Well, before I answer that, I’ll make a slight correction to what I just wrote. Technically, it should be “2020 GIPS standards” or “20/20 GIPS standards,” as GIPS isn’t supposed to be used as a noun. I know it’ll take quite sometime for us to get used to this, but since it’s a registered trademark (®), it should only be used as an adjective.

But, back to the question: why not? Why aren’t we having a session on the upcoming major revision to the GIPS standards? Surely it was an oversight? Well …

What Would We Talk About?

The 2020 GIPS standards will be in, for lack of a better term, a limbo state from January 1 to June 30, 2019.

You have until December 31, 2018 to comment on both the broad 2020 GIPS Exposure Draft and the 2020 GIPS Standards for Verifiers Exposure Draft. And, we have held webinars on the first, and plan to on the second before year-end.

But come January 1st, what’s there to say until we learn what makes it through to the finished product?

Seriously, what’s the point of holding a session on the 2020 GIPS standards during this six month period? It’s kind of like a “black out period,” where nothing really is known or being discussed outside the closed doors of the GIPS Executive Committee, who will be working with the professionals of the CFA Institute, reviewing the numerous comment letters that have been sent in, and deciding what the end result will be.

What would we talk about?

Oh, we had sessions on the 2020 GIPS standards during this year’s three PMAR conferences; and, we will have one at PMAR West 2019, which occurs after June 30, 2019. AND, we will host multiple webinars on the finished product, to educate, inform, and instruct.

But, between January 1 and June 30, our PMARs will not have anything to say about 2020 GIPS standards: by design.

Sorry to disappoint you, but we hope this makes sense.

Just One of the Many Things That Makes PMAR Better!

We often discuss much of what makes the PMAR conferences different from and better than other performance measurement conferences. And one is that we have sessions on the most relevant and current topics.

For a few years, we had nothing to say about GIPS, because really nothing was happening. But once there was movement to revise the Standards, we made sure we addressed it. But, once January 1 hits, there won’t be anything of value to say until June 30. Yes, we can talk about what was proposed in the exposure drafts, but how important will it be after the 1st of January?

What will be important is the release of the new version: then, we’ll have lots to say!

PMAR Early Bird Registration: Save $300!

Oh, and remember to register for PMAR North America,and take advantage of our “early bird” rate, and save $300 off the normal investment of $1,795. Use code “PMARXVII” at checkout.

Note that this offer is valid through December 31st.