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Global Investment Strategies from the Top of the World March 12 – 13, 2008 Conference: Thursday, March 13 Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue (between 37th and 38th Street), New York City Registration and continental breakfast begins 8:15 am. Conference program: 9:00 am – 1:15 pm Pre-Conference Networking Reception and Dinner: Wednesday, March 12 @7 pm Nixon Peabody LLP and Kaupthing Bank cordially invite you to attend a pre-conference networking reception and dinner on Wednesday, March 12 for speakers and conference guests at the Union League Club on 38 East 37th Street, (corner of 37th Street and Park Avenue), New York City. Cocktails in the Main Lounge at 7:00 pm. Dinner in the Library Room at 8:00 pm. IACC Corporate Sponsors: Icelandic Base, Global Reach Even in times of economic uncertainty, traditional and alternative investment opportunities abound. And Iceland is well positioned to capitalize on the right investment opportunities on an international scale. For a country small in geographic size and population, it is big on innovation, competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Attendees from last year’s conference walked away with ideas and network contacts for investing in Iceland. This year, we’re turning the tables. The 2008 conference program focuses on Iceland’s expansion into the international finance arena, and the partnering investment opportunities this creates for US and other foreign investors. Conference presentations, panel discussion, and keynote address all focus on key issues and concepts pertinent to global investment partnering in today’s economic environment. The impressive roster of speakers includes the Prime Minister of Iceland, leaders of Icelandic banks and international investment firms, as well as leading economists and financial experts from the United States. Consider this: •• Mr. Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of Iceland, briefs the audience on Iceland’s current economic environment. •• Iceland’s three largest Icelandic banks – Glitnir, Kaupthing, and Landsbanki – are all international companies with market cap ranking among top ten Nordic banks. Hear Lárus Welding, CEO, Glitnir Bank; Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson, CEO, Kaupthing Bank; and Sigurjón Árnason, CEO, Landsbanki, present their companies’ 2007 performance results, their unique market positioning strategies and overview their funding and investment portfolio priorities for 2008 and beyond. •• Professor Gregory Miller of Harvard Business School, an authority on effective financial communications across key stakeholder groups, shares his research findings on perspectives of Icelandic banks from non-Icelandic entities such as the major ratings agencies and international press. •• Thordur Fridjonsson, CEO, NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland, moderates the panel discussion engaging the Prime Minister, the banks’ CEOs and Professor Miller on communication developments underway to help external entities develop a more nuanced view of Icelandic banks and the Icelandic economy. •• Senior Managing Director, Jonathan A. Knee, of leading US advisory and investment firm Evercore Partners, shares his insights on the new mergers and acquisitions environment for multinational corporations and investors. •• Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Executive Chairman, Baugur Group, an international investment company within the fields of retail, financial investments and media, reveals his firm’s successful investment strategies and international expansion goals for 2008 and beyond. •• Torsten Slok, Ph.D., Senior Economist, Global Economics, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., delivers the keynote luncheon address, Outlook for US Economy and the Fed, a thought-provoking look into the impact that the credit, oil, and housing shocks will have on the US and global economy. This year’s conference is sure to provide attendees with tangible investment insights and valuable business contacts. Join us in New York March 12-13 to participate in this timely informational and networking forum. 1 Conference Program: Global Investment Strategies from the Top of the World Location: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Pre-Conference Networking Reception and Dinner Sponsored by Nixon Peabody LLP and Kaupthing Bank Location: The Union League Club, 38 East 37th St, New York, NY 10016 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm 7:00 pm Cocktail Reception 8:00 pm Dinner Meet and mingle with conference speakers and fellow participants during an enjoyable evening of excellent food, wine, and conversation at the legendary Union League Club. Business Dress Attire. Thursday, March 13, 2008 Conference Program: Global Investment Strategies from the Top of the World Location: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 8:15 am – 9:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Glitnir 9:00 am – 9:10 am Opening Remarks Olafur Johann Olafsson, Executive Vice President, Time Warner, and Conference Chair, Chairman of the IACC Mr. Olafsson sets the tone for the conference with an 0verview of the conference objectives and program, and IACC’s role in facilitating business connections between Icelandic and American entities. 2 9:10 am – 10:30 am Session I: Icelandic Banks and the Economy Mr. Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of Iceland Lárus Welding, CEO, Glitnir Bank Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson, CEO, Kaupthing Bank Sigurjón Árnason, Group Managing Director & CEO, Landsbanki Gregory Miller, Professor, Harvard Business School Moderator: Thordur Fridjonsson, CEO, NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde will brief attendees on the state of Iceland’s economy, particularly as it relates to developments in the global economy. The CEOs of each Icelandic bank will highlight their organization’s unique market positioning, performance, and global funding objectives and strategies. Professor Miller will discuss perspectives of Icelandic Banks from non-Icelandic entities such as the major ratings agencies and international press. Panel Discussion and Q&A follow 10:30 am – Refreshment and Networking Break 11:00 am 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Session II: Investment Strategies Jonathan A. Knee, Senior Managing Director, Evercore Partners Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Executive Chairman, Baugur Group Hear perspectives on corporate investment, merger and acquisition strategies that work in today’s uncertain global economic climate from two senior executives of a prominent Icelandic international retail investment firm and a leading US advisory and investment firm. 12:00 pm – Lunch 1:15 pm Sponsored by Landsbanki Keynote Address: Outlook for US Economy and the Fed Torsten Slok, Ph.D., Senior Economist, Global Economics, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. Dr. Slok’s presentation addresses the impact that the credit shock, the housing shock, and the oil shock will have on the US and the global economy, with resultant challenges and opportunities related to global funding strategies 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Close of Conference Olafur Johann Olafsson, Executive Vice President, Time Warner, and Conference Chair, Chairman of the IACC Mr. Olafsson summarizes the conferences key messages and closes conference. Attendees with afternoon appointments are directed to session locations. 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm One on One Sessions Meet with speakers one on one. A list of speakers available to participate in these sessions will be issued shortly before the conference. Each session will last 45 minutes. Advance sign-up is required; to indicate your interest in meeting with a speaker in this informal setting, send an email to [email protected] 3 About the Speakers and their Organizations Time Warner Inc. & Icelandic American Chamber of Commerce Mr. Olafur Johann Olafsson, EVP, Time Warner & Chairman of IACC Mr. Olaf Johann Olafsson, who serves as the chairman of IACC, is executive vice president of Time Warner, responsible for the company’s corporate strategy, mergers, acquisitions and investments. Prior to that, he was vice chairman of Time Warner Digital Media where he was responsible for developing strategic business plans for Time Warner’s diverse digital media businesses and identifying emerging growth opportunities for the company in the digital realm. Prior to joining Time Warner, Mr. Olafsson was president of Advanta Corporation, and served as a member of its board of directors beginning 1997. Previously, as founder, president and chief executive officer of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc., a unit of Sony Corporation, Mr. Olafsson built and managed its businesses in the United States and Europe. During his six-year tenure in this role, he directed the worldwide operations of Sony’s entertainment software and hardware divisions and was responsible for the introduction of the acclaimed PlayStation. He held several other positions at Sony, having begun his career at the company in 1985. Mr. Olafsson is the author of several novels, including Absolution (Pantheon, 1994), The Journey Home (Pantheon, 2000), and Walking into the Night (Pantheon, 2003). He was born in Reykjavik and studied as a Wien Scholar at Brandeis University, where he received his degree in physics. About Time Warner Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) employees approximately 86,000 people worldwide across its various businesses: AOL, HBO, Time Warner Cable, New Line Cinema, Turner Broadcasting System, Time Inc. Warner Bros. Entertainment. (www.timewarner.com) About IACC The Icelandic American Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization founded in New York in 1986. The chamber promotes the development of business and trade between the United States and Iceland through membership networking events, business conferences and other occasions in which leaders of the business and government participate. (www.iceland.org/us/nyc/consulate-general/chamber-of-commerce/) Mr. Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of Iceland Mr. Geir H. Haarde has been Prime Minister of Iceland since June 15, 2006, Chairman of Iceland’s Independence Party since 2005, and a member of the Icelandic Parliament, Althingi, since 1987. His current position caps an illustrious political career, in which he has held numerous influential positions in both Icelandic and the Arctic Region political arena. Among them: Minister for Foreign Affairs (2005–2006); Minister of Finance (1998–2005); Vice-Chairman of the Independence Party (1999–2005); Vice-President, OECD Ministerial Meeting (2004); Chairman, Nordic Council of Finance Ministers (2004 and 1999); Member, International Monetary and Financial Committee of the International Monetary Fund (2002–2004); Chairman, Parliamentary Group of the Independence Party (1991–1998); Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of the Althingi (1995–1998); President 4 of the Nordic Council, 1995. Member, Presidium of the NC, 1991–1998; Member, Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (1994–98, VP 1995–97); Chairman, Conservative Party Group in the Nordic Council (1995–1997); and Chairman, Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (1995–1998). Early in his career he served as the Political Advisor to the Minister of Finance (1983–1987) and as an Economist, International Department, Central Bank of Iceland (1977–1983). Prime Minister Haarde received his undergraduate and graduate university education in the USA, earning a B.A. magna cum laude, Economics from Brandeis University in 1973; an M.A. with distinction, International Relations, from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies in 1975; and an M.A. Economics, University of Minnesota in 1977. Among his honors, Prime Minister Haarde was awarded Alumni of the Year Award 2006 from Brandeis University and Doctor of Laws h. c., University of Minnesota in 2007. State of the Icelandic Economy Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde will brief attendees on the state of Iceland’s economy, particularly as it relates to developments in the global economy. About Iceland Iceland is a Republic with an elected parliamentary government, Althingi. The Prime Minister serves as the head of government, presiding over political, operational and administrative services. Althingi and the President of Iceland jointly exercise legislative power. Key facts: • Iceland is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1994 and has adopted most EU legislation, the same as applies in the UK (has the same status as Norway) • Iceland is an OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) country and is the sixth richest economy in the OECD as ranked by GDP purchasing power by capita. • Iceland Sovereign has the highest possible credit rating from Moody’s at Aaa with a strong fiscal position. • The Icelandic economy benefits from sectors unaffected by the current downturn, such as food production, technology, natural resources and energy production. • Iceland has a fully funded pension system, whereby the largest pension fund assets to GDP was Iceland at 132.7% according to OECD. (www.government.is) Glitnir Bank Mr. Lárus Welding, CEO Mr. Lárus Welding, Chief Executive Officer, Glitnir Bank hf., holds a degree in business administration from the University of Iceland, is a licensed securities broker and a graduate in Corporate Finance from the UK Securities Institute. Prior to joining Glitnir Bank in April 2007, Mr. Lárus Welding worked at the Landsbanki London Branch as a General Manager with operations primarily in Corporate and Investment Banking. Previously, he worked for Icelandic Investment Bank (FBA) hf. (1999-2003). FBA merged with Islandsbanki in 2000, which is now Glitnir Bank. Earlier, Mr. Lárus Welding worked at the Central Bank of Iceland (1998) and at JHR ehf. accounting firm (1997-1999). Niche Market Expertise Fuels International Expansion Having established its firm international base, Glitnir continues to grow solidly. Mr. Welding’s presentation will focus on how Glitnir Bank, as a Nordic 5 bank, provides a broad range of services to its customer and drives its international expansion, providing corporate banking and integrated services, based on two specialized industry sectors: seafood and sustainable energy, having developed significant industry expertise within these sectors. About Glitnir Glitnir Bank hf. (NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland: GLB) is a Northern European bank, headquartered in Iceland with operations in 11 countries with total assets of of ISK 2,949 billion. Glitnir´s home markets are in Iceland and Norway, which generated 71% of the bank´s profit before taxes in 2007. Glitnir offers a broad range of financial services including corporate banking, investment banking, capital markets, investment management and retail banking. The bank is also gaining ground as one of the leading players in the Nordic Equity and Brokerage market. Along with headquarters in Iceland and offices in Norway, the bank has operations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, UK, Luxembourg, US, Canada, China and Russia. Glitnir drives its international expansion, based on two specialized industry sectors: seafood and sustainable energy, where the bank has developed significant industry expertise built on our Icelandic and Norwegian heritage. (www.glitnir.is) Kaupthing Bank Mr. Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson, CEO Mr. Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson was born in 1970. He graduated in Business Administration from the University of Iceland in 1994 and joined Kaupthing upon his graduation. He was appointed Deputy CEO of Kaupthing in 1998. He established and served as Managing Director of Kaupthing New York from 2000 to 2001. In 2003 he was appointed CEO of Kaupthing Bank. Since then he has led the transformation of Kaupthing from a small regional bank in Iceland to a medium-sized European Bank through organic growth and strategic acquisitions in Iceland, Denmark and the UK. Insight into a Fast Growing Financial Group Mr. Sigurðsson’s presentation highlights Kaupthing Bank’s ability to perform in challenging markets. He will also address the bank’s increasing income stability through a prudent growth approach and how Kaupthing is transforming its funding profile. About Kaupthing Kaupthing (NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland: KAUP; Stockholm: KAUP SEK) is a Northern European bank with assets of $85 billion, and equity of $5.5 billion at year end 2007. Kaupthing is listed on NASDAQ OMX Exchange in Iceland and Stockholm. In recent years, Kaupthing has been one of the fastest growing financial groups in Europe, offering comprehensive corporate and investment banking services to individuals, companies and institutional investors. The Bank is a leading player in all the main areas of the Icelandic financial market, and in addition to Iceland, the Bank’s key markets are Denmark and the United Kingdom. The Bank is focused on the growth and development of its international activities and aims to be one of the leading banks in Northern Europe. (www.kaupthing.com) Landsbanki Íslands hf. Mr. Sigurjón Árnason, Group Managing Director & CEO Mr Sigurjón Árnason is the Chief Executive Officer of Landsbanki. Prior to joining Landsbanki, he had been Managing Director of Administration and Operations at Búnadarbanki Íslands hf. since 1998. From 1995-1998, he was Senior Manager of Economics and Budgeting at Búnadarbanki, and a part time lecturer at the University of Iceland from 1995-1997. He holds a BSc degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iceland, as well as an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota. He studied economic engineering at Technische Universität Berlin 1994-1995. 6 Mr Sigurjón Árnason is Chairman of the Board of Landsbanki’s subsidiary Kepler Equities and head of the Icelandic banks’ Negotiation Committee. He has been a Director of Landsbanki’s subsidiaries; Heritable Bank, Landsbanki Luxembourg SA, Landsbanki Securities (UK) Ltd, Merrion Capital Group, Landsbanki Guernsey Ltd and Lex Life and Pension. Deposits Transforming the Balance Sheet Mr. Árnason will overview Landsbanki’s strong 2007 performance, and its further growth and diversification following a balanced business model. Focused on providing an integrated set of financial services for mid-cap corporations in Europe, Landsbanki’s unique product line includes access to both debt and equity markets and agency brokerage services to institutional investors on a multi-local basis. About Landsbanki Landsbanki (NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland: LAIS) is a growing European bank with total assets of ISK 3,058 billion (EUR 33.4 bn) at year-end 2007 and a market capitalization of ISK 301 billion (EUR 3.05 bn) as of 28 February 2008. Through its extensive distribution network of 2,640 employees in 17 countries, Landsbanki is set to deliver targeted financial services based on local expertise for mid-cap corporations in Europe. Landsbanki provides retail and corporate banking, investment banking, capital markets services, asset management and wealth management for private banking clients. Landsbanki’s unique product line includes access to both debt and equity markets and its research department is among the most comprehensive in Europe, including some 100 analysts covering close to 950 European stocks. Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, Landsbanki Islands hf. is traded on the NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland under the ticker LAIS. Landsbanki is rated by Moody’s (Aa3 / P-1 / C (under review) / Stable) and Fitch (A / F1 / B/C / Stable). (www.landsbanki.com/IR) Harvard Business School, Harvard University Mr. Gregory S. Miller, Professor Gregory S. Miller is an associate professor of business administration in the Accounting and Control Area of the Harvard Business School. His research investigates financial communications, the process through which managers explain the firm to the external stakeholders. While capital providers are the primary audience for this information, effective financial communication should also consider other stakeholders, such as customers, employees and regulators. In addition to considering the audience, effective financial communication is designed to consider the information intermediaries that follow the firm, the impact of the firm’s visibility and the importance of managerial credibility. Professor Miller’s research focuses on examining the role of each of these components, as well as considering their complex interactions. His research has been published in peer reviewed journals such as Journal of Accounting Research, The Accounting Review and Journal of Accounting and Economics. His second year MBA elective “Accounting and Financial Communication” brings these issues into the classroom. He has taught in the MBA, Doctoral and Executive education programs at Harvard Business School and in the Undergraduate program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Professor Miller received a B.S. in Accounting from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1990 and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan) in 1998 and is a CPA. Prior to returning to school for his Ph.D., Professor Miller worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. in the attestation services division. Icelandic Banks: Perception versus Reality Professor Miller will discuss views of Icelandic Banks from non-Icelandic entities such as the major ratings agencies and international press. One goal of the discussion is to consider current views. More importantly, the presentation will address factors (such as language and cultural variables) 7 that make it difficult for external entities to develop a confident understanding of Icelandic firms. Finally, Professor Miller will review some positive developments that suggest external entities are beginning to develop a more nuanced view of Icelandic banks and the Icelandic economy. About Harvard Business School Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 200 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and doctoral degrees, as well as more than 70 Executive Education programs. For almost a century, HBS faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching to educate leaders who have shaped the practice of business around the globe. (www.hbs.edu) NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland Moderator: Mr. Thordur Fridjonsson, CEO, NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland Mr. Thordur Fridjonsson is CEO, NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland. Previous positions include roles as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NOREX Alliance, General Director of the National Economic Institute, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, economic: advisor to the Prime Minister, and lecturer at the Economic Department of the University of Iceland. On Iceland’s behalf, Mr. Thordur Fridjonsson has among other things been a member of the Economic Policy Committee at OECD, an Alternate Governor at IMF and EBRD, and Chairman of the Nordic Project Fund. Mr. Thordur Fridjonsson holds an M.A. degree in economics from Queen’s University in Canada and a Cand.oecon. degree from the University of Iceland. About Nasdaq OMX Exchange Iceland The NASDAQ OMX Exchange Iceland is a stock exchange, operating in Reykjavik and is a part of the NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. The daily turnover on the Exchange is approximately USD340 million which is divided about equally between the equity and fixed-income markets. The market capitalization of the 25 listed companies is USD35 billion which is about 180% of GDP, placing the Icelandic stock market among the largest in the world relative to the size of the economy. The Icelandic market has experience tremendous growth in recent years with market capitalization of equities growing five-fold and turnover 22-fold since 2001. (www.nasdaqomxgroup.com) Evercore Partners Jonathan A. Knee, Senior Managing Director Jonathan Knee is a Senior Managing Director of Evercore Partners’ corporate advisory business. Prior to joining Evercore, Mr. Knee was a Managing Director and Co-head of Morgan Stanley’s Media Group. He was previously Publishing Sector Head in the Communications, Media and Entertainment Group at Goldman Sachs. Prior to becoming an investment banker, Mr. Knee was Director of International Affairs at United Airlines and served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Northwestern University. In recent notable transactions, Mr. Knee was involved in The Hearst Corporation’s investment in FitchRatings, the recapitalization of Freedom Communications, the purchase of CBS MarketWatch by Dow Jones, NTL’s acquisition of Telewest, the purchase of Sprint’s directories by R.H. Donnelley, the stock merger of Instinet with Island, the purchase by Thomson of Primark, the purchase of Harcourt General by Reed Elsevier as well as the sale of VNU to the private equity consortia, J.D. Power and Associates to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Times Mirror to Tribune, Nielsen Media Research to VNU, 8 World Color Press to Quebecor and Simon & Schuster to Pearson. Other transactions include the initial sale, subsequent IPO and two subsequent resales of Petersen Publishing and the IPO of BSkyB. Mr. Knee is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business where he teaches Media Mergers and Acquisitions and Media Strategy and serves as the Director of the Media Program. Mr. Knee at present serves on the Board of Directors of Art Connection, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, National Women’s Law Center, New Alternatives for Children and the Yale Law School Fund. Mr. Knee received a J.D. from Yale University, an M.B.A. from Stanford University, an M.Sc. from Trinity College, Dublin, and a B.A. from Boston University. The New Mergers & Acquisition Environment Continuing US and global macroeconomic issues are redefining the playing field for today’s multinational corporations engaged in significant mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings and other strategic corporate transactions. Mr. Knee provides perspective on how to successfully navigate through the challenges and realities of the new M&A environment. About Evercore Partners Established in 1996, Evercore Partners is a leading investment banking boutique providing advisory services to prominent multinational corporations on significant mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings and other strategic corporate transactions. Evercore also has a successful investment management business through which it also manages private equity and venture capital funds for sophisticated institutional investors. Evercore serves a diverse set of clients and investors around the world from our offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Mexico City and Monterrey. (www.evercore.com) Baugur Group Mr. Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Executive Chairman Mr. Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Executive Chairman of Baugur Group, graduated from the Commercial College of Iceland in 1989. That same year he founded the retail chain Bónus along with his father, Jóhannes Jónsson, on the premise that it would always offer the lowest prices on the Icelandic food market. With new methods in retail operations, the company revolutionized the Icelandic food sector and was repeatedly voted Iceland’s most popular business enterprise. In 1998 Mr. Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson became CEO of Baugur hf. In June 2007, Baugur announced organizational changes designed to help position the Group for its next stage of expansion and international growth. Mr. Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson was appointed Executive Chairman allowing his vision, drive and ability to identify new opportunities to be fully developed. In this position, he takes a leading role in developing the retail market internationally, and in taking advantage of the extensive integration opportunities that will occur worldwide in the coming years. Breaking the Boundaries Through eCommerce and International Expansion Building upon its solid portfolio, this Icelandic-based international retail investment firm is rapidly expanding into new markets. Mr. Jóhannesson reveals the strategy to position the Group for its next stage of expansion and international growth via the online potential for its brands as well developing its portfolio organically and through acquisition. The key, as always, is to find best of breed local partners and agents as well as coinvestors for joint ventures and franchises to build long-term, symbiotic relationships. 9 About Baugur Group Baugur Group is an international investment company focusing on investments within the fields of retail, financial investments and media in Iceland, the UK, and Scandinavia. Privately owned, it has grown strongly over the past 10 years in its domestic and European markets, outperforming rivals and delivering superior returns. Companies related to Baugur Group employ some 75,000 people worldwide in over 3,900 stores with a total turnover of £9.8 billion. The CEO of Baugur Group is Gunnar Sigurðsson and the Executive Chairman is Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson. Among Baugur’s principal retail investments are the supermarket chain Iceland, the toy retailer Hamleys, Woodward Foodservice, the jewellery chain Goldsmiths, fashion chains MK One and Jane Norman, the health products chain Julian Graves, fashion company Mosaic Fashions, renowned UK department store chain, House of Fraser, Hagar, Iceland’s largest retailer, the famous Danish department store chain Magasin du Nord and Illum, one of Denmark’s largest department stores. Baugur also has a substantial, but non-controlling, indirect stake in the AIM-listed wholesaler Booker Group. Baugur’s main investments within the Media & Technology division are the media company 365 and the electronic communications and IT company Teymi. Baugur Group is also a major shareholder in the Icelandic investment company FL Group. (www.baugurgroup.com) Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. Mr. Torsten Slok. Ph. D, Senior Economist, Global Economics Mr. Torsten Slok joined Deutsche Bank Securities in the fall of 2005 and is a senior member of the Global Economics Team. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Slok worked for the OECD in Paris in the Money and Finance Division, as well as the Structural Policy Analysis Division. Before joining the OECD he worked for four years at the IMF in the Division responsible for writing the World Economic Outlook and the Division responsible for China, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. Mr. Torsten Slok studied at University of Copenhagen and Princeton University. He has published numerous journal articles and reviews on economics and policy analysis. Keynote Address: Outlook for US Economy and the Fed Torsten Slok will discuss the impact that the credit shock, the housing shock, and the oil shock will have on the US and the global economy. About Deutsche Bank Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 78,291 employees in 76 countries, Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services throughout the world. The bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC, is the investment banking and securities arm of Deutsche Bank AG in the United States. (www.db.com) 10 Registration and Accommodation Details How to register? Where to stay? Want to sign up for a one-on-one session? What to wear? Please see details below. Registration To register, contact Begga Laxdal via email at [email protected] or by phone at 646-282-9362. Please indicate if you are registering for both the pre-conference networking event and the one-day conference, or the conference only The conference fee is $250 for IACC members; $300 for non-members. Preferred payment method is by credit card. Registration fee includes the pre-conference networking reception and dinner on March 12, breakfast and luncheon the day of the conference, and all conference materials. Registering for One on One Sessions Following the conference, speakers will be available for one-on-one sessions by appointment only. The list of speakers available to participate in these sessions will be issued shortly before the conference. Each break-out will last 45 minutes. Advance sign-up is required; to indicate your interest in meeting with a speaker in this informal setting, send an email to Begga Laxdal’s attention at [email protected] About the Networking Reception and Dinner on March 12 Nixon Peabody LLP and Kaupthing Bank cordially invite you to a pre-conference networking reception and dinner at the Union League Club (38 East 37th Street). Meet conference speakers and fellow participants during an enjoyable evening of excellent food, wine and conversation. Cocktail reception begins at 7:00 pm in the Main Lounge. Dinner is in the Library Room at 8:00 pm. What to Wear Business dress (suits for men; suits/business dresses for women) is required for the pre-conference networking reception and dinner at the Union League Club. Either business casual or business dress is acceptable attire the day of the conference. Conference Hotel A block of rooms have been reserved at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel at the group rate of $329.00 per night for a Standard Room. Standard rooms have a King or Queen bed, accommodate 1-2 people, and are high-speed internet access equipped. Millennium UN Plaza Hotel One United Nations Plaza 44th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenue) New York, New York 10017 T: 1 (212) 758-1234 F: 1 (212) 702-5051 Reservations: Call 1.866.866.8086 or email [email protected] Group code: ROICE Reference group code ROICE to receive the group rate. Method of room guarantee is credit card. Group rate may not be valid after February 28th if room block has sold out. . www.millineumhotels.com 11