Objectives

The Chicago Quantitative Alliance provides quantitative investment professionals a forum to interchange ideas and share experiences. Our goal is to stimulate conversation and discussion on a wide range of quantitative investing topics.  Additional information on the CQA is available by contacting:
dcardell@cqa.org or calling 847-358-3575

Objectives of the CQA:

The first CQA meeting was held on November 4, 1993. At that time we summarized our goals in the statement listed below.

1. Individual Membership
   - Different from other groups where membership is by firm.
   - Membership is transportable.
   - Ensures continuity at meetings, with the same people attending.
   - Members are those in firms doing the work, not figureheads.
2. Active Participation
   - Keeping everyone involved is the key to success.
   - E-mail list helps with year round communication.
   - We expect a lot of give and take between members.
3. Selective Membership
   - People involved have similar interest.
   - Different levels of expertise, but common goals.
   - Members must have value-added to group.
4. Diversity of Membership
   - This is a truly national group.
   - Different perspectives from members that work at different types of firms.
   - Balance between money managers and sponsors.
5. No Sales Pitches
   - Absolutely no marketing from speakers or members.
   - Avoid at all costs a reputation of a group where sponsors are afraid to come and be besieged by people trying to sell something.
6. Zero Based Budgeting
   - Whatever we take in we’ll spend, no grand plan to offer scholarships or build a large treasury.
   - This is strictly a non-profit organization.
   - Strive to make this the best value possible for members.
   - Conference fee you pay is good for April and September conferences – no additional costs.
7. Premier Conference
   - Develop a reputation for our conference as a "must attend" event. Members should really feel like they’ve missed something if the don’t attend.
   - Three key parts to the conference (in addition to the regular speakers): Academic Competition, Panel Discussion, and Keynote Speaker.
   - Since everyone is involved somehow in the planning of the conference they have an "ownership interest"; no complaints, if you don’t like how something is being done, get involved and change it.
8. Practitioner Oriented
   - Achieve a mix of practical and academic.
   - Committees have a vested interest in how "their" speakers perform.
   - Make the conference whatever we want it to be, there are no preconceived ideas about what has to happen.
9. Consumer Group
   - We are a powerful users group, let’s use that to our advantage.
   - Explore the issue of "sponsorship" without selling out.
   - Use the group to do product reviews or share information on the latest technology.
10. Invite Controversy, New Ideas
    - Present controversial speakers.
    - Foster a reputation of being open to new ideas, willing to let alternative views have their say.
11. Have Fun, Make Friends
    - There is no reason we can’t have a good time while we get to know some new people.
    - Prove that quants aren’t nerds.

By and large we have succeeded in making the CQA Conferences major industry events. More importantly, it has fostered many great friendships, collaborations and lasting relationships. Our expectation is that we will continue to grow at a controlled pace, allowing new members to enjoy the experience of CQA.