Bits and bobs picked up at the ABS East Conference in Miami …
Auto asset-backed securities are the star asset class these days, and the conference hall at the Fontainbleau Hotel was fittingly stocked with cars, including a sparkly red Nissan LEAF and mock-up NASCAR racecar. Not to be outdone, booths seemed to be giving out a higher quality of swag this year. United Capital Markets had stacks of Godiva chocolates and free massages. Lowenstein Sandler boasted beach mats, which never came in handy because the torrential downpour over Miami never let up…
… even with the rain, Miami was getting some people in trouble. One official told SI that his firm took advantage of the conference to do some teambuilding, and had told everyone to bring along their wives and socialize. “Now we’re getting in trouble for looking at all the hot girls,” he joked…
…speaking of which, Goldwell, a hair products and services company, was having their conference at the Fontainbleau as well. That’s where all the tall European girls with bright red hair were coming from …
… holy guacamole. Lunch last Monday saw a lot of ties flung over a lot of shoulders, as conference-goers tried to enjoy the Mexican food spread without getting it all over their businesswear. The buffet was moved inside, like a lot of the conference functions, due to hurricane-like weather outside. A lack of tables didn’t deter anyone from digging in, however, with standing attendees balancing plates full of burritos and trying not to talk with their mouths full