Canon Investment Symposium

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In conjunction with the 2006 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California on July 12, 2006, Canon Capital Partners held its inaugural Canon Investment Symposium. The theme of the panel-focused luncheon was: "The New Investment Vanguards: Professional Athletes' and High Net Worth Individuals' Role in Community-Based Investment."

The luncheon, hosted by at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey hotel, brought together a select group of high profile stakeholders for the purpose of creating a focused discourse on how professional athletes and other high net worth individuals could drive community-based investment. The stellar panel included Ronnie Lott, Managing Member, HRJ Capital, Len Canty, President & CEO, Black Economic Council, Billy Hunter, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association, Kenneth L. Shropshire, Director, Wharton Sports Business Initiative and Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, and Bob Gnaizda, Policy Director, Greenlining Institute. Attendees included current and former professional athletes, high net worth individuals, and high-level investment and banking industry executives.

Community-based investing (CBI) is an emerging and evolving "special" asset class. Although, one of the least known sectors of Socially Responsible Investing, CBI arguably has the most direct impact on disadvantaged communities. Rather than an investor's capital being channeled to companies that are only known by their stock symbol, CBI targets investment opportunities that are critical to the growth and development of communities while still meeting the investor's economic motivation to achieve an attractive return on investment.

The event was a stunning success. Canon would like to particularly thank our moderator, Carlos Watson and our panelists. Additionally, we'd like to thank our sponsors HRJ Capital, Schwab Institutional, TAFU, and the Black Economic Council. None of what was achieved at the Inaugural Canon Investment Symposium would have been possible without their support.

During, and subsequent to the event, there were a number of ideas generated on how to continue the discourse, build awareness of CBI, and ultimately increase its influence and effectiveness as an asset class. As mentioned during the Symposium, Canon seeks to firmly entrench itself in the market as a firm that is keenly aware of its responsibilities to the community. Therefore, Canon will continue to promote discourse on this area and pursue opportunities consistent with a community focus.