Skip to the content

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:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 847-707-5223

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.

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.

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.

Selective Membership

- People involved have similar interest.

- Different levels of expertise, but common goals.

- Members must have value-added to group

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.

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.

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.

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.

- There are 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.

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.

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.

Invite Controversy, New Ideas

- Present controversial speakers.

- Foster a reputation of being open to new ideas, willing to let alternative views have their say.

Have Fun, Make Friends