* This is a contributed article. The IBTimes news staff was not involved in the creation of this article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of IBTimes. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here are our T&C. For licensing please click here.

The quest to generate alpha has taken lifelong investor Zachary Cefaratti on a journey from California to Dubai, with stops in Pennsylvania and Switzerland along the way. In the process, he has founded several successful brokerages and also created AIM Summit, the world's leading alternative investments conference. A genuine passion for finance coupled with Cefaratti's unique vision and incredible work ethic have helped to set AIM Summit apart from its more commercialized competitors.

Zachary Cefaratti
Zachary Cefaratti Hosts AIM Summit in Dubai Zachary Cefaratti

Founded in 2015, AIM Summit will host its 15th edition in Dubai this October. Drawing an audience and a speaker panel of global industry leaders and investors, AIM Summit is the stage for topical, high-level discussions pertaining to every sector of the alternative investments industry, including hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt, digital assets, and fintech.

Drawing the biggest names in the world of finance and economics is no easy feat. AIM Summit's overwhelming success can be attributed to Cefaratti's commitment to excellence and his willingness to reinvest all profits in the name of improving the conference as each edition is completed. Beyond creating a platform for meaningful discussion, AIM Summit provides networking opportunities that don't exist anywhere else in the world. At the AIM Summit, financial leaders delve deep into industry challenges and opportunities through lively conversations about investment developments, global market conditions, and the latest trends, all while connecting with managers and decision-makers from around the globe. The discourse created is enough for each edition to fill up quickly, forcing Cefaratti to turn away many potential attendees.

Cefaratti Steps into Moderating Key Sessions

At his recent conference in London, Cefaratti interviewed renowned economist Dr. Larry Summers as the guest speaker, Cefaratti took to the stage to host "Economic Outlook: How Hard Might the Landing Be?" Zachary also hosted a closed door roundtable discussion with famed economist Professor Charles Goodhart discussing monetary aggregates.

With topics ranging from the economic outlook, credit crunch risks, and commercial real estate, to moral hazard and the potential for another SVB event, Cefaratti showed his adeptness as a financial expert in his own right as he engaged with Summers head-on. Viewing the session as both an honor and a great opportunity, Cefaratti took great pains preparing for his first time as a moderator.

In addition to reading the work of other leading economists and cross-referencing their work with Dr. Summer's work, Cefaratti also studied current economic trends and identified conflicting ideas that would enhance the conversation. He wanted to address potentially unforeseen economic developments or existential issues with recent developments at a level befitting Dr. Summers and his audience.

"Being part of the AIM Summit and engaging in an on-stage discussion with Larry Summers was a truly humbling experience," Cefaratti said of the experience. "The opportunity to exchange ideas and gain insights from such a distinguished economist was an honor. Our conversation provided invaluable perspectives on the current economic landscape, allowing us to challenge conventional wisdom and explore new possibilities. We discussed how secular stagnation became secular stagflation, and that R* would likely remain durably elevated "

Ultimately, Summers warned of overvalued commercial real estate, the possibility of another Silicon Valley Bank event, a coming recession in order to return to target inflation, and further increases in interest rates. With Cefaratti at the helm, the discussion stayed on-topic and fully relevant for attendees.

Cefaratti is Well-Equipped to Serve as Moderator

Although Cefaratti is humble about his experience in comparison to Summers', the truth is that he spends a considerable amount of time staying up-to-date with the latest market trends and developments. This is both to enhance his own investment strategies and to keep AIM Summit as the premiere alternative investment conference in the world.

"I actively monitor financial news, read fed white papers and research publications, and digest industry reports to stay informed about current trends, developments, and emerging opportunities in alternative investments," Cefaratti has said. "I look closely at the authors of those reports and seek talent as potential speakers."

Cefaratti also maintains a strong network of industry professionals, including economists, fund managers, and thought leaders within his inner circle, with whom he can regularly discuss market trends and insights. These collaborations have a great influence on the content for AIM Summit events.

Attending other conferences and events allows Cefaratti to keep a pulse on the industry, including new ideas and best practices. He and his team are constantly refining AIM Summit's content offerings and adapting their programming in order to remain at the forefront of the alternative investment industry.

In addition to the time and effort that Cefaratti puts into research and improvement of the AIM Summit, he has more than 20 years of investment experience, having started trading bonds at only 7 years old. His education has included time at the University of Pennsylvania, the London School of Economics, Franklin University Switzerland, and the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

Larry Summers' Discussion was a Highlight of AIM Summit London

Dr. Larry Summers is a world-renowned economist whose career has spanned academia, government service, and advisory roles. His contributions to economic policy and decisions have shaped economic discourse at the highest levels.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Summers has served as the 71st Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton Administration, Director of the White House National Economic Council in the Obama Administration, President of Harvard University, and the Chief Economist of the World Bank.

More than 400 industry leaders and decision-makers attended the London conference, where more than 60 distinguished speakers took the stage. Summers was joined by Charles Goodheart, Professor Emeritus of Banking and Finance at the London School of Economics; Stephen Roach, Senior Fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center of the Yale Law School; and a host of founders, CEOs, and Chairmen representing some of the most prestigious financial firms in the world.

AIM Summit was Born Out of Necessity

After attending many disappointing conferences that prioritized profits over value to attendees, Cefaratti decided to take matters into his own hands - and the result was AIM Summit.

"I decided to focus on organizing leading alternative investment conferences because I recognized the critical role that people and relationships play in the investment industry," Cefaratti explains of the endeavor. "Being a service industry, investment success often hinges on forging strong connections with the right individuals. Conferences provide the perfect platform for bringing together the best people in the industry, fostering meaningful conversations, and facilitating relationship-building."

That's not to say that Cefaratti doesn't directly benefit from the AIM Summit himself. "I am able to connect with top investors, economists, and market leaders in the investment industry," he admits. "This access to a diverse range of thought leaders and decision-makers has proven invaluable in staying ahead of market trends, developing innovative investment strategies, and identifying new opportunities."

Knowing that his role as Founder of AIM Summit gives him a strategic edge in the alternative investment space, Cefaratti is grateful for the ongoing education that the conference provides.

"This continuous exposure to knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives keeps me well informed and better equipped to make informed decisions, ultimately benefiting my investment endeavors and growth."

Just like his thousands of attendees, Cefaratti is finding great value in AIM Summit - and will keep producing the conference to the benefit of his beloved industry.