BI > MAY 2004

A Journey of Discovery

A Rich Array of Classes and Seminars

Lewis and Clark's Journey of Discovery began in St. Louis in 1804. Two hundred years later, where might our Journey of Discovery begin -- or continue -- as we explore the vagaries of investing? Again, St. Louis for CompuFest 2004.

As we examine the good-sense, fundamental investing that NAIC advocates, we'll discover at CompuFest 2004:

• A rich array of classes and seminars.
• The Computer Lab, where you can examine newly developed software and have questions answered.
• Much camaraderie in the after-hours Cyber Cafe.
• A special track for Newbies (adults who are at the conference to learn the very basics and how to begin investing).
• A Family-Youth track.

The ever-popular classes on NAIC tools, from basic to advanced, will explore the proven tools that NAIC has developed, from the Stock Selection Guide to Portfolio Evaluation Review Technique. Ann Cuneaz's new class "Understanding the Preferred Procedure" will lead us through a very basic income statement and into skilled use of the Preferred Procedure on the SSG.

"Evaluating Company Management" will delve into the whys and wherefores of management (see schedule, right). Judgment and advanced SSG classes are always a big draw.

In "The Anatomy of a Company," Saul Seinberg will dissect General Electric, and Doug Gerlach will be on hand to analyze. We can look over their shoulders as these two experts gather and pore over data, make judgments, think, research and perform other stock study tasks.

Bob Adams' "Utilizing All the NAIC Tools" class illustrates how the tools can work together to sharpen our analyzing skills. Nancy Crays promises a psychological twist to a new "When To Sell" class.

Back by popular demand will be economics professor Bart Womack to give us insights into cash flow and economic indicators; Phil Keating with his updated portfolio management series, including an insightful look at return on equity; Diane Graese's wisdom on reading the footnotes in financial statements; and Adams' popular class explaining the significance of items on an annual report. Seinberg, a lawyer, has a new class on wills and trusts that we've been asking for, and Gerlach's new class "Secrets of Wall Street" promises insights into the pros' thought processes.

CompuFest attendees also will be able to learn about NAIC's online resources, including Online Premium Services and the Mutual Fund Education and Resource Center, and to attend many other seminars and educational opportunities.

"Meet me in St. Louie, Louie . . . Meet me at the fair" -- oops! I mean CompuFest.

We can learn practical, sensible, hands-on methods for improving our investing skills and for meeting our goal of personal wealth building. Meanwhile, we'll have a chance to meet some of the neatest people on the planet.

Since my father was a civil engineer, we spent a lot of time on family trips going to see bridges and dams. Here's our chance to see Eads Bridge (which we read about in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) spanning the Mississippi River for the railroad to cross. It's still in use.

I want to go see that bridge again. Anybody game to walk across it?

Editor's note: Readers interested in learning more about CompuFest 2004 or registering for it can go to the event's Web site.

Sandra Barlow is a director of NAIC's BetterInvesting Computer Group Advisory Board.