The Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) and its delegation of Bermuda international business executives last week participated in the 14th Annual GAIM International Conference, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

The Annual GAIM International Conference is the global hedge fund industry's flagship conference, drawing a large crowd of international delegates, with more than 1,100 of the leading alternative investors, asset managers and advisers in attendance.

Susan Stirling, marketing director of BIBA, led a delegation of BIBA affiliated business executives who participated in all aspects of the three-day conference, and presented a case study highlighting Bermuda as a growing offshore fund administration hub.

Stephen Castree, CEO of Equinoxe Alternative Investment Services Ltd., chaired and moderated panels, including sessions on new product development, tax efficiency and a session entitled "ETF 2.0 - Examining the Latest Developments".

BIBA said the panel sessions were well attended, calling attention to the continued interest in Bermuda displayed at this and other conferences by international investors, and demonstrating the growing importance of and interest in efficient, individually bespoke investment administration firms; a sector in which Bermuda is widely recognised as an international leader.

Ms. Stirling said: "BIBA's continued strong presence, so greatly supported by member executives who hold key positions in Bermuda's corporate structure, and indeed, our showing at GAIM 2008, helps to reinforce and upgrade the profile of Bermuda as a competitive force in the hedge fund world. It serves to demonstrate Bermuda's position as a growing and leading presence in fund servicing."

Mr. Castree said: "BIBA's panel stressed the cross section of services available in Bermuda.

This unified approach solidifies Bermuda's position as a one-stop-shop for premium service to investment managers."

The delegation included Martin Lane, a London partner at Conyers Dill and Pearman; Stuart Drake, chairman of Equinoxe Alternative Investment Services Ltd.; Peter Hughes, managing director of Apex Fund Management; and Jason Bibb, of executive director of ISIS Fund Services.

Greg Wojciechowski, CEO of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, and George Holmes, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCooper, also held a presentation on recent developments on offshore funds, focusing on Bermuda's involvement.