Please contact the staff adviser for more information on a specific Roundtable. If you have a suggestion for a new group, you may contact Tom Price.
WHAT IS A ROUNDTABLE?
Simply stated, a Roundtable is composed of 12-35 executives who are with different member firms and have essentially the same responsibilities.
WHY BELONG TO A ROUNDTABLE?
As a Roundtable member, you meet with peers in other firms to share ideas and discuss common issues. That produces value beyond what you gain from discussions within your own firm. You gain new points of view, have a peer group to serve as a sounding board and, most importantly, are exposed to a wealth of information and experiences that are directly pertinent to your responsibilities.
HOW DOES THAT EXPOSURE OCCUR?
In two ways: 1) SIFMA Roundtables meet for business discussions once or twice a year. 2) Roundtable members often contact one another when faced with a problem or project where outside input is needed.
WHO CONTROLS THE ROUNDTABLES?
Through open discussion, each Roundtable decides when and where they meet, provided the location meets the standards set by SIFMA. They also set the agenda. In some cases, they make the final decisions on proposed new members to the group. In some Roundtables, group members chair the meetings on a rotating basis. Members also lead discussions of agenda items.
A staff adviser from SIFMA is assigned to each group to provide support and coordination. This includes taking care of hotel and other arrangements, meeting notices, liaison with Roundtable members to develop the agenda, fronting and billing for shared expenses, and on-site assistance at meetings. SIFMA staff advisers also share their broad perspectives on key industry issues and inform Roundtable groups of SIFMA activities and services.
WHAT ABOUT THE MEETINGS?
Most groups meet once or twice a year. At each meeting, the group decides the time, duration and location of the next meeting.
The meeting format varies from group to group. Some prefer centrally located cities or resorts, while others tend to rotate locations among the headquarter cities of the members. Most meetings, from start to finish, last between 1 and 3 days.
HOW ABOUT COSTS?
Roundtable members pay their own travel and hotel charges. Expenses incurred for meals and other group activities, as well as the direct costs of the SIFMA staff adviser, are prorated following each meeting and billed to each member. In addition, there is an annual Roundtable membership fee to defray staff time and other indirect SIFMA costs. Fees can range from $325 to $400, depending upon the group. The annual fee increases if more than one meeting is held in the year.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
Some groups invite outside speakers, arrange special dinners or other events, and often include spouses or guests. Groups may invite vendors to sponsor these events.
The relationships formed often lead to business opportunities. Some groups conduct mini-surveys when special needs or interests arise. Members find that networking during and between meetings is extraordinarily valuable. The friendships and trust built within the Roundtables produce high levels of candor and cooperation.
An Antitrust Compliance Booklet was developed to help you understand the requirements of the antitrust laws in connection with SIFMA-sponsored activities.
