Suggestions For Fairfax Lollapalooza?

[Parsad]

For all of you attending what has now essentially become a three-day event, I kind of wanted to get some feedback on how we can improve some of the events for attendees.  Please answer the following questions:

 

In 2015, we will have four speakers, a terrific buffet, silent auction, cash bar, nametags & registration, coat check, handheld Visa/MC keypad for silent auction purchases, photographer, and then off course, the main event with Prem and all of the Fairfax managers and executives.

 

"How can we improve the annual dinner we hold?"

 

"Do you want more silent auction items?"

 

"Any specific speakers you would like to hear?"

In terms of the Fairfax AGM, we can naturally provide some suggestions as we have done in the past.  With their expansive AGM, including investee company booths, shareholder gift cards, food, drinks, access to the managers before and after the AGM, Prem's Q&A, etc.  Unfortunately, the buses to and from Fairfax companies was not such a success.

 

"How could they improve on their AGM?"

 

"What would shareholders like to see from investee companies?"

 

"What type of interactivity would you like to see from investee companies?"

 

"What do shareholders expect more of out of the Fairfax investee companies?"

 

"What was good and bad about the buses?"

 

"Should Fairfax bring retail items from their stores to the AGM, or continue busing shareholders?"

 

"Do shareholders like the gift cards, or would they prefer a straight discount like Berkshire does...say 10%?"

 

Thanks very much for your feedback!  Cheers!

 

[Parsad]

Wow, over 260 views and not one comment?! 

 

Are you guys saying, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

 

Cheers!

[kilroy04]

I'll bite.

 

How about a Hamblin Watsa group detailed presentation of the due diligence done (and the findings) for 2 outlier and completed investments?  One failure and one success.  Two that come to mind are Canwest and Bank of Ireland.

 

Purpose - educate on the process and depth of their due diligence, inform on the level of uncertainty in decision making, inform on alternative investments being considered at the time, and also to expose the intellectual honesty.

[Packer16]

This is one of the best lollapaloozas out there so it is hard to improve but here some interesting ideas.

 

One suggestion is to have a discussion session where various topics can be discussed at various tables.  For example, a discussion of Greek securities, E&P securities or Asian securities at a given table.  Folks can visit the tables of there investment interest.  Each table will have a discussion facilitator and maybe a list of topics to get conversation rolling.  I am not sure how this will work with the dinner timing so maybe it could be done before or after the formal dinner hours.

 

I would like to hear Francis speak on where he is seeing value and maybe some specific examples.  His talk at the Ivey seminar 2 years ago was great and he has made some interesting investments recently in Europe (Russia and Greece).

 

Packer

[A_Hamilton]

I'll bite.

 

How about a Hamblin Watsa group detailed presentation of the due diligence done (and the findings) for 2 outlier and completed investments?  One failure and one success.  Two that come to mind are Canwest and Bank of Ireland.

 

Purpose - educate on the process and depth of their due diligence, inform on the level of uncertainty in decision making, inform on alternative investments being considered at the time, and also to expose the intellectual honesty.

 

Agree. Failed investments should be highlighted by FFH. How about Greek debt that they took a bath on but no one really talked about.