agenda at a glance - amazon web services documents/2017... · 2017-09-14 · isitc september 2017...

ISITC September 2017 Quarterly Meeting September 17 – 19, 2017

Four Seasons Hotel, Baltimore, MD

ISITC September 2017 Quarterly Meeting

AGENDA AT A GLANCE Dress Code for all three days is Business Casual

Please refer to the Agenda at a Glance for all meals, coffee breaks and meeting room assignments. For your convenience, the detailed meeting agenda for each Industry Forum and Working Group is listed alphabetically following the Agenda at a Glance.

Sunday, September 17, 2017 Time Meeting Room Floor 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Board of Directors Meeting & Luncheon Limited to Board of Directors only.

Azure 2nd

1:30 – 2:30 PM Co-Chair Meeting Limited to Co-Chairs only.

Grand Ballroom B 2nd

3:00 – 4:00 PM Board of Directors & Co-Chair Meeting Limited to Board of Directors and Co-Chairs only.


4:00 – 4:15 PM Networking Break

Cobalt Foyer 2nd

4:00 – 4:15 PM New Member/First Time Attendee Orientation

Indigo 2nd

4:15 – 5:45 PM Session I • Custodian, Investment Manager, Middle Office

& Broker/Dealer Joint Session

Cobalt I

2nd

5:45 – 6:45 PM Cocktail Reception

Splash Terrace – weather permitting Grand Ballroom A – alternate

4th 2nd

Monday, September 18, 2017 Time Meeting Room Floor 7:30 – 8:15 AM Breakfast


8:15 – 10:15 AM General Session

Grand Ballroom A 2nd

• Updates from the Chair, Erica Borghi, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

• T+2 Post Mortem, Lou Rosato, Director, BlackRock A review of the recent market change to T2 Settlement in US, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Argentina on September 5th. The discussion will recap how Industry participants executed the change and provide a look forward to other business opportunities related to a shortened settlement cycle as firms adjust to the recent change.

• MiFID II, Nicholas Philpott, Director, eCommerce team, Standard Chartered Bank The EU’s response to the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh Commitments to strengthen investor protection, sustain the integrity of price formation, and promote competition in financial markets.

• The Operational Challenges of Alternative Investments, Jon Chandler, Senior Research Analyst, Cutter Associates The search for alpha, along with pressure to diversify portfolios, has driven many investment managers to invest more heavily in alternative assets. But these instruments are often complex and opaque, and they are generating intensifying scrutiny from regulators and clients. This session will explore the challenges these assets present to operations, with a focus on OTC derivatives, private equity, and real estate. Jon will examine industry trends and software tools that investment managers are exploring to help them track positions, monitor risk and performance, and improve reporting. He will also talk about the recent regulatory changes impacting OTC derivatives and why those changes are driving many firms to review their internal processes.

ISITC September 2017 Quarterly Meeting September 17 – 19, 2017


ISITC September 2017 Quarterly Meeting

10:15 – 10:30 AM Networking Break

ISITC would like to thank our Monday Morning Networking Break Sponsor!

BRONZE SPONSOR

Cobalt Foyer 2nd

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Session II • Corporate Actions I • Settlements

Cobalt I Cobalt II

2nd 2nd

12:00 – 12:45 PM Lunch


12:45 – 2:15 PM Session III • Reference Data & Standards and Regulatory

Cobalt II

2nd

2:15 – 3:45 PM Session IV • Corporate Actions II - Roundtable • Margin & Collateral and Derivatives

Cobalt I Cobalt II

2nd 2nd

3:45 – 4:00 PM Networking Break

Cobalt Foyer 2nd

4:00 – 6:00 PM Session V • Investment Manager - Roundtable

Grand Ballroom A

2nd

6:00 – 7:00 PM Cocktail Reception

Grand Ballroom Foyer

2nd

7:00 PM Dinner


Tuesday, September 19, 2017 Time Meeting Room Floor 8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast


9:00 – 9:45 AM Session VI • Marketing

Cobalt II

2nd

9:45 – 11:15 AM Session VII • Corporate Actions III

Cobalt II

2nd

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ChairMs. Erica BorghiBrown Brothers Harriman & Co.50 Post Office SquareBoston, MA 02109(617) 772-1437

Vice ChairMs. Lisa IagattaFinance Committee ChairReconciliation & ReportingExec SponsorFiserv184 Liberty CornerWarren, NJ 07059(781) 828-2355

TreasurerMs. Ana LothariusReconciliation & ReportingExec SponsorRegulatory Exec SponsorVendor/Utility Exec SponsorDTCC55 Thomson PlaceBoston, MA 02210(617) 880-6654

SecretaryMs. SalomeWingeCustodian Exec SponsorSecurities Lending ExecSponsorNorthern Trust Company801 South Canal StreetChicago, IL 60607(312) 630-1493

Mr.Ted AnastasiMarketing CommitteeExec SponsorFidelity Corporate ActionsSolutions200 Seaport BoulevardBoston, MA 02210(617) 563-4224

Mr. Jason BrasileSettlements Exec SponsorMargin & Collateral ExecSponsorState Street Corporation225 Liberty StreetNew York, NY 10281(917) 790-4199

Mr. Paul FullamCorporate Actions ExecSponsorVendor/Utility Exec SponsorFidelity Information Services,LLC (FIS)545 Washington BlvdNew York, NY 07310(646) 445-8356

Ms. Evelyn GaleanoMembership Committee ChairMarketing Exec SponsorMiddle Office Exec SponsorSecurities Lending ExecSponsorStandard Chartered Bank1095 Avenue of AmericasNew York, NY 10036(646) 845-1091

Ms. Lori GivensNominating Committee ChairCustodian Exec SponsorBNY Mellon400 South Hope StreetLos Angeles, CA 90071(213) 553-9690

Ms. Kristin HochsteinReference Data & StandardsExec SponsorRegulatory Exec SponsorThomson Reuters8055 East Tufts AvenueDenver, CO 80237(646) 734-2215

Mr. Paul McSherryMiddle Office Exec SponsorLiquidnet Inc.498 7th AvenueNew York, NY 10018(646) 660-8058

Mr. Charles MottingerState Street Global AdvisorsOne Lincoln StreetBoston, MA 02111(617) 664-3292

Mr. Louis RosatoInvestment Manager ExecSponsorBlackRock, Inc.100 Bellevue ParkwayWilmington, DE 19809(302) 797-2145

Ms. Krista R. ScharfenbergerReference Data & StandardsExec SponsorSettlements Exec SponsorBNY Mellon135 Santilli HighwayEverett, MA 02149(617) 382-6628

Mr. JasonWardInvestment Manager ExecSponsorMiddle Office Exec SponsorFidelity Investments1 Spartan WayMerrimack, NH 03110(603) 791-5938

Ms. CarissaWarnerDerivatives Exec SponsorMargin & Collateral ExecSponsorMorgan Stanley1585 BroadwayNew York, NY 10036(212) 761-0218

Corporate Actions Mission Statement: The U.S. Corporate Actions Working Group mission is to examine business processes throughout the life cycle of a corporate action. Our goal is to define standards for the US market and examine variances with global market practice for the purpose of harmonizing corporate action messaging standards and move toward increasing automation and achieving greater STP throughout the industry. The working group recommends enhancements/modifications to the ISO corporate action message standards to ensure they meet the needs of the market. The working group is also the forum for discussing and recommending enhancements to business processes and collaborating with other industry groups in addressing new business processes within corporate actions. Executive Sponsors:

Paul Fullam Fidelity Information Services, LLC (FIS) [email protected] (646) 445-8356

Co-Chairs:

Jennifer Baker Steve Sloan BNY Mellon DTCC [email protected] [email protected] (412) 234-1382 (972) 471-5262 Steven Gale Deirdre Walsh Northern Trust Company Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. [email protected] [email protected] (312) 444-4799 (617) 346-9786

Meeting Date and Time: Monday, September 18, 2017 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:15 – 3:45 PM Tuesday, September 19, 2017 9:45 – 11:15 AM Agenda: Session I

1. Executive Board Update 2. Review June 2017 Conference Minutes 3. Q3 & Q4 2017 Conference Call Schedule

Sept 13, 27 Oct 11, 25 Nov 8, 29 Dec 13 4. Maintenance WG Update 5. T+2 Pain points related to Corporate Actions

Session II

1. Round Table Session

Session III 1. DTCC Transformation Project Update 2. Reorg Sub Group (DTCC Phase V Reorg Lifecycle) 3. SIFMA Partial Call White Paper 4. Topics from Members/Open Issues

Working Group Agenda

September 2017 Quarterly Meeting September 16 - 19, 2017


mailto:[email protected]





Custodian / IM / Middle Office / Broker Dealer Joint Forum Mission Statement: The mission of the Custodian Industry Forum is to provide common approaches to identifying and resolving custodian bank issues, and to recommend and implement solutions with other ISITC and industry participants with the ultimate goal of achieving STP. We interact with the other constituency forums to educate institutions on the issues impacting global custodians and to achieve the most effective solutions to commonly acknowledged goals. Custodian Executive Sponsors: Lori Givens Salome Winge

BNY Mellon Northern Trust Company [email protected] [email protected] (213) 553-9690 (312) 630-1493

Investment Manager Executive Sponsors:

Charles Mottinger Jason Ward State Street Global Advisors Fidelity Investments [email protected] [email protected] (617) 664-3292 (603) 791-5938 Louis Rosato BlackRock, Inc.

[email protected] (603) 791-5938

Middle Office Executive Sponsors:

Evelyn Galeano Jason Ward Standard Chartered Bank Fidelity Investments [email protected] [email protected] (646) 845-1091 (603) 791-5938 Paul McSherry Liquidnet [email protected] (646) 660-8058

Broker/Dealer Executive Sponsors: Evelyn Galeano Carissa Warner Standard Chartered Bank Morgan Stanley [email protected] [email protected] (646) 845-1091 (212) 761-0218 Paul McSherry Liquidnet [email protected] (646) 660-8058

Forum Agenda

September 2017 Quarterly Meeting September 17 – 19, 2017











Custodian Co-Chairs: Dannette Fleming Lisa Seibold Northern Trust Company JP Morgan

[email protected] [email protected] (312) 444-2414 (718) 242-0428 Lorraine Morrison BNY Mellon [email protected] (212) 635-823

Investment Manager Co-Chairs: Paul Brooks Abhijit Choudhary Fidelity Investments Goldman Sachs Asset Management [email protected] [email protected] (617) 563-2269 (917) 343-5326

Cihan Kasikara Grace Kang Franklin Templeton Investments TCW [email protected] [email protected] (973) 912-2070 (213) 244-0732

Middle Office Co-Chairs: Andrew Clark Sarah Mattes ITG Wellington Management Company, LLP. [email protected] [email protected] (617) 239-8617 (617) 263-4083 Altaf Hossine Martin McCluskey Boston Company Asset Mgmt. J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc [email protected] [email protected] (617) 722-7125 (212) 834-5809

Meeting Date and Time: Sunday, September 18, 2017 4:15 – 5:45 PM Agenda:

1. DTCC M2i – Optimizing Institutional Trade Processing through Settlement a. Panel: Marisol Collazo, DTCC; Lou Rosato, BlackRock and Joe Liguori, CIB Securities

Operations/JP Morgan

2. Inadvertent Custody – Bob Stewart, BBH

3. Update on the Association of Global Custodians (AGC) – Ted Rothschild, JPM

4. Trade Automaton and Affirmation Update










Investment Manager - Roundtable Mission Statement: The mission of the Investment Management Forum is to deliver value to the Investment Management constituents by facilitating collaboration within the industry and foster innovative solutions for the challenges faced by the community. The forum will help members establish meaningful and relevant business relationships, and will deliver education, communication, and information for the advancement of member firms. Executive Sponsors:

Charles Mottinger Jason Ward State Street Global Advisors Fidelity Investments [email protected] [email protected] (617) 664-3292 (603) 791-5938 Louis Rosato BlackRock, Inc.

[email protected] (603) 791-5938

Co-Chairs:

Paul Brooks Abhijit Choudhary Fidelity Investments Goldman Sachs Asset Management [email protected] [email protected] (617) 563-2269 (917) 343-5326

Cihan Kasikara Grace Kang Franklin Templeton Investments TCW [email protected] [email protected] (973) 912-2070 (213) 244-0732

Meeting Date and Time: Monday, September 18, 2017 4:00 – 6:00 PM Agenda:

1. Blockchain – Use cases from buy side a. Other Emerging Technologies to be utilized across the industry? b. What do we need to think about proactively that would benefit IMs? c. What are the new demands and pain points impacting us?

2. FICC Sponsorship Cleared Repo

3. Paper trade confirmation – introduce the issue and educate on options in market

4. Risk indicators – Evolving approach from buy side. How are you focusing on it, and what emerging risks

do you see?

5. Recap from Joint IM / Custodian / Middle Office forum – items of interest in items mentioned to IMs?

6. Planning for future Round Table – what do folks want to hear about in the future?

Forum Agenda









Margin & Collateral and Derivatives Margin & Collateral Mission Statement: The Working Group will also serve to provide subject matter expertise and thought leadership to members including regulatory jurisdiction rules and timelines. Key focus areas include:

• Operational best practices for collateral management processing. • Messaging standards covering collateral calls, dispute resolution, margining, and asset movement/

segregation supporting all collateralized instruments. Derivatives Mission Statement: The mission of the OTC Derivatives Working Group is to work in conjunction with the AMF and other industry groups to create market practice standards around derivatives processing, focusing on trade notification, reconciliation, collateral movements, and interest payments (resets). Margin & Collateral Executive Sponsors: Jason Brasile Carissa Warner State Street Corporation Morgan Stanley [email protected] [email protected] (917) 790-4199 (212) 761-0218 Derivatives Executive Sponsor:

Carissa Warner Morgan Stanley [email protected]

(212) 761-0218 Margin & Collateral Co-Chairs: Amy Caruso Wayne Forsythe

DTCC-Euroclear GlobalCollateral State Street Corporation [email protected] [email protected] (646) 477-1374 (949) 932-4668

Derivatives Co-Chairs:

Michael Burg Brian Manning State Street Corporation State Street Corporation [email protected] [email protected] (412) 298-5160 (617) 985-2651 Ky Dong Richard Robinson Franklin Templeton Investments Bloomberg LLC

[email protected] [email protected] (916) 463-1405 (609) 279-3467 Meeting Date and Time: Monday, September 18, 2017 2:15 – 3:45 PM Agenda: The Margin & Collateral and Derivatives Working Groups will join forces to host a panel discussion: “Optimal Collateral Operations” with industry experts representing Investment Managers, Custodians, Futures Commissions Merchants, and Outsourcer/Administrators along with updates regarding FINRA 4210, MiFID II, and the Uncleared Margin Rules.










Marketing Mission Statement: The mission of the Marketing Committee is to plan, promote and execute events that keep the ISITC membership informed and make an impact on the securities industry. This includes developing and organizing conferences, discussion forums, workshops, seminars and on-going public relations initiatives. Executive Sponsors:

Ted Anastasi Evelyn Galeano Fidelity Corporate Actions Solutions Standard Chartered Bank [email protected] [email protected] (617) 563-4224 (646) 845-1091

Co-Chairs:

Danielle Castrechini Diane Damphousse Citisoft, Inc. State Street Corporation [email protected] [email protected] (401) 323-3365 (617) 662-7240

Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 9:00 – 9:45 AM Agenda:

1. September 2017 Quarterly Meeting Feedback: a. PMA Update b. Agenda c. General Session d. Working Group Sessions e. Receptions/Dinners/Networking Effectiveness f. New Member Engagement g. East Coast Outreach Effectiveness

2. December 2017 Quarterly Meeting:

a. Speakers and Topics

3. March 2018 Annual Conference: a. Renaming of Annual Vendor Show b. Conference Theme c. Day One Speakers and Topics d. Conference Marketing Initiatives

4. Other Business

Committee Agenda






Reference Data & Standards and Regulatory Reference Data & Standards Mission Statement: The mission of the Reference Data & Standards Working Group is to advance critical dialog and solutions on issues impacting financial reference data and provide insight and education into the technologies and best practices that deliver more seamless and successful transaction lifecycle results to the securities industry. Regulatory Mission Statement: The main objective of the Regulatory Working Group will be to increase understanding of new regulations across our constituency and partner with regulators and industry standards organizations to define best practices. Reference Data & Standards Executive Sponsors:

Kristin Hochstein Krista Scharfenberger Thomson Reuters BNY Mellon

[email protected] [email protected] (646) 734-2215 (617) 382-6628

Regulatory Executive Sponsors:

Kristin Hochstein Ana Lotharius Thomson Reuters DTCC

[email protected] [email protected] (646) 734-2215 (617) 880-6654 Reference Data & Standards Co-Chairs:

Koushik Chakrabarty Peter Smith DTCC IHS Markit [email protected] [email protected] (617) 880-6646 (646) 679-3227 Peter McNally CUSIP Global Services

[email protected] (212) 438-6580 Regulatory Co-Chair:

Roger Fahy CUSIP Global Services [email protected] (212) 438-4221

Meeting Date and Time: Monday, September 18 2017 12:45 – 2:15 PM Agenda:

1. Executive Sponsor Update Ana Lotharius, Kristin Hochstein, Krista Scharfenberger

2. Latest on ISO TC68 and Global LEI Foundation (GLEIF) Karla McKenna, Chair of ISO/TC 68 and Head of Standards, GLEIF

3. Update from Reference Data & Standards Working Group Peter Smith, IHS Markit

4. Update from Regulatory Forum Roger Fahy, CUSIP Global Services









Settlements Mission Statement: The mission of the Settlements Working Group is to define best practices for the communication of settlement instructions and confirmation messages for all securities-related financial instrument types; third party and bank for foreign exchange transactions; collateral messaging and currency movements. This group works collaboratively with other industry and ISITC Working Groups. Executive Sponsors:

Jason Brasile Krista Scharfenberger State Street Corporation BNY Mellon [email protected] [email protected] (917) 790-4199 (617) 382-6628

Co-Chairs:

Gary Heald Aundrea Jarvis Loomis, Sayles, & Company, L.P Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. [email protected] [email protected] (617) 748-1708 (617) 772-1767

Meeting Date and Time: Monday, September 18, 2017 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Agenda:

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Accomplishments since last conference – review of conference calls and Market Practice updates

3. Updates on pending required votes for Market Practice finalization

4. Market/CSD mandates update

5. Updates on SR2018 Maintenance Working Group meeting

6. Updates on documented open issues

7. Hot Topic Review: SPOs – defining the path to achieve automation






Antitrust Guidelines 1.0 Antitrust Compliance Policy

The policy of the International Securities Association for Institutional Trade Communication (“ISITC” or “the Association”) is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, including the antitrust laws. It is expected that all company member representatives involved in Association activities and Association staff will be sensitive to the unique legal issues involving trade associations and, accordingly, will take all measures necessary to comply with U.S. antitrust laws and similar foreign competition laws. The Association recognizes the potentially severe consequences of failing to comply with these laws.

Our Association brings significant, procompetitive benefits to industry participants, suppliers, and customers. It must not, however, be a vehicle for firms to reach unlawful agreements regarding prices or other aspects of competition, or to boycott or exclude firms from the market.

2.0 Antitrust Violations Can Have Severe Consequences

Violations of the antitrust laws can have very serious consequences for the Association, its members and their employees.

2.1 Criminal Penalties Antitrust violations may be prosecuted as felonies and are punishable by steep fines and imprisonment. Individual violators

can be fined up to $1 million and sentenced to up to 10 years in federal prison for each offense, and corporations can be fined up to $100 million for each offense. Under some circumstances, the maximum fines can go even higher than the Sherman Act maximums to twice the gain or loss involved. The events that give rise to an antitrust violation often provide the basis for other charges, such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false statements to the government. Those charges, if proven, carry additional penalties.

The consequences of a criminal antitrust violation for an association or corporation include: exposure to follow-on treble damages suits, exposure to enforcement actions in other jurisdictions or countries, disruption of normal business activities, and the expense of defending investigations and lawsuits. The consequences for an individual who commits an antitrust violation include: loss of freedom (jail), loss of job and benefits, loss of community status and reputation, loss of future employment opportunities, and exposure to litigation.

2.2 Civil Penalties

In contrast to criminal actions, civil cases can be initiated by individuals, companies, and government officials. They can seek to recover three times the amount of the damages, plus attorney's fees. Even unfounded allegations can be a significant drain on an association’s and membership financial and human resources, and an unproductive distraction from the Association's mission. For these reasons, the Association strives to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in all its dealings and activities.

3.0 Basic Antitrust Principles and Prohibited Practices 3.1 Antitrust Statutes

The principal federal antitrust and competition laws are the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Robinson-Patman Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act.

• The Sherman Act in broad terms prohibits “every contract, combination . . . or conspiracy” in restraint of trade, as well as monopolizing, attempting to monopolize, or conspiring to monopolize any part of trade or commerce.

• The Clayton Act prohibits exclusive dealing and “tying” arrangements, as well as corporate mergers or acquisitions which may tend substantially to lessen competition.

• The Robinson-Patman Act prohibits a seller of goods from discriminating in price between different buyers when the discrimination adversely affects competition. This statute applies only to sales of commodities; it does not cover sales of services or intangibles.

• The Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in or affecting commerce.

3.2 “Hard Core” Offenses (Criminal Prosecution Likely) Certain antitrust violations are referred to as “hard core” or “per se” offenses. Conduct that falls in this category is automatically presumed to be illegal by the courts, and the absence of any actual harm to competition will not be a defense. Conspiracies falling in the hard core category are likely to be prosecuted as criminal offenses, and include the following:

• Price-fixing agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) directly or indirectly to fix, alter, peg, stabilize, standardize, or otherwise regulate the prices paid by customers are automatically illegal under the Sherman Act (“illegal per se”). An agreement among buyers fixing the price they will pay for a product or service is likewise unlawful. “Price” is defined broadly to include all price-related terms, including discounts, rebates, commissions, and credit terms. Agreements among competitors to fix, restrict, or limit the amount of product that is produced, sold or purchased, or the amount or type of services provided, may be treated the same as price-



fixing agreements. • Bid-rigging agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) on any method

by which prices or bids will be determined, submitted, or awarded are per se illegal. This includes rotating bids, agreements regarding who will bid or not bid, agreements establishing who will bid to particular customers, agreements establishing who will bid on specific assets or contracts, agreements regarding who will bid high and who will bid low, agreements that establish the prices firms will bid, and exchanging or advance signaling of the prices or other terms of bids.

• Market or customer allocation agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) to allocate or divide markets, territories, or customers are always illegal.

3.3 Sensitive Activities

There are other activities that, though typically not subject to criminal prosecution, are nevertheless sensitive, and may lead to investigations or litigation.

• Group boycotts: An agreement with competitors, suppliers, or customers not to do business with another party may be found illegal as a boycott or “concerted refusal to deal.”

• Exclusionary standard setting, certification or code of ethics: Trade association standards-development, certification programs, and codes of ethics generally are procompetitive and lawful. Such activities may be found unlawful, however, if they have the effect of fixing prices or if they result in firms being boycotted or unreasonably excluded from the market.

• Vertical price-fixing agreements: Agreements between suppliers and resellers that establish minimum resale prices may be unlawful.

• Tie-in sales: A supplier conditioning the sale of one product on the customer purchasing a second product may be unlawful.

• Exclusionary membership criteria: Membership criteria with the intent or effect of excluding and disadvantaging others are a red flag for careful legal review.

3.4 Other Activities • Joint research and development programs: While not discouraged by the antitrust laws and potentially subject to

some legislative protection, proposals for Association involvement in these types of programs must undergo legal clearance and Board of Directors approval.

• Lobbying: While the Association's right to lobby is subject to First Amendment protections, lobbying activities will be undertaken only after Board of Directors and legal review.

4.0 Guidelines for Meetings and Other Association Functions Association meetings, conference calls, and other activities by their very nature bring competitors together, and although

they generally are lawful and procompetitive, they also might provide opportunities to reach unlawful agreements. It is important to remember that an antitrust violation does not require proof of a formal agreement. A discussion among competitors of a sensitive topic, such as the desirability of a price increase, followed by common action by those involved or present, could, depending on the circumstances, be enough to convince a jury there was an unlawful agreement.

In light of the costs involved in defending antitrust claims, even when they are without merit, it is necessary to conduct Association meetings in a manner that avoids even the appearance of improper conduct. Generally, the best way to accomplish this is by following regular procedures and avoiding competitively sensitive topics. 4.1 Meetings

Meetings of the Association will be conducted according to these procedures: • Whenever feasible, written agendas will be prepared in advance. Agendas will not include any subjects that are

identified in these Guidelines as improper for consideration or discussion. • Meeting handouts and presentations should, whenever feasible, be distributed in advance of meetings. • Meetings should follow the written agenda and not depart from the agenda except for legitimate reason, which should

be recorded in the minutes. Informal or “off the record” discussions of business topics are not permitted at meetings or other activities of the Association.

• Accurate and complete minutes should be prepared. The minutes should include the time and place of the meeting, a list of all individuals present and their affiliations, a list of all matters discussed and actions taken with a summary of the reasons therefor, and a record of any votes taken.

Because of their sensitive nature, certain topics will not be discussed at meetings of the Association unless otherwise advised by legal counsel. These prohibitions apply equally to all Association sponsored social functions or other informal Association gatherings. Off-limit topics include:

• prices, pricing methods, or terms or conditions of sale; • pricing practices or strategies, including methods, timing, or implementation of price changes; • discounts, rebates, service charges, or other terms and conditions of purchase and sale; • price advertising; • what constitutes a fair, appropriate, or “rational” price or profit margin; • whether to do business with certain suppliers, customers, or competitors; • complaints about the business practices of individual firms; • the validity of any patent or the terms of a patent license; • confidential company plans regarding future product or service offerings; and

• any ongoing litigation. 5.0 Document and E-Mail Guidelines

Many antitrust investigations and lawsuits are fueled by poorly phrased or exaggerated statements in internal documents, with e-mails being a leading culprit. Common sense should be used when composing documents and e-mails. No matter how informal or private a communication is intended to be, it must be assumed that anything written in a document or e-mail is potentially discoverable in an investigation or lawsuit. As a general rule, nothing should be put in writing that you would not want read aloud to a prosecutor, plaintiff's lawyer, or jury composed of people who know nothing about you or your business.

Examples of statements that should be avoided: • Language suggesting guilt (such as “read and destroy”). • Words of aggression or competitive exclusion (such as “dominate the market,” “kill the competition,” or “get rid of the

discounters”). • Statements or speculation regarding the legality or legal consequences of any action of the Association. • Statements suggesting or advocating that members of the Association make joint decisions on pricing, production,

capacity or other aspects of competition, such as references to “industry consensus,” “industry understanding,” “industry acceptance,” or “rational competition.”

6.0 Standards, Certification, and Codes of Ethics

Trade association standard-setting and certification programs and codes of ethics can be highly procompetitive and beneficial to suppliers and customers. Antitrust problems will arise, however, if a standard or certification program or a code of ethics is used as a device for fixing prices, restraining output, or chilling innovation, or if it has the effect of boycotting or unreasonably excluding competitors from the market.

Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics must serve identifiable public interests, such as preventing false or deceptive marketing practices, and they must do so in a manner that does not unreasonably restrict competition. Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics must not have the purpose or effect of unreasonably restraining price or quality competition, limiting output of products or services, or discouraging innovation. No company should be denied certification on grounds that it is a nonmember of any association or organization, that it is a “discounter,” or that it is a foreign corporation. No company should be boycotted on any grounds, including lack of certification or noncompliance with a code of ethics.

Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics should adhere to principles of voluntariness and due process. Due process means that all companies with a direct and material stake have a right to participate through the standards development organization in the formation of the standard, certification criteria, or code of ethics; the process is open and free from dominance by any particular industry segment or company; and there is a right to appeal from adverse actions.

More specifically, any standard, certification, or code of ethics activity of the Association will be conducted in accordance with the following basic rules:

• Participation in the creation of a standard, certification program, or code of ethics will be voluntary and will be open on reasonable terms to all persons who are directly and materially affected. Any fee or cost charged to participants will be reasonable. Membership in the Association will not be a requirement to participate in the discussion of proposed standards or market practices, but non-members shall not have a vote on the Association’s ultimate adoption of a standard or market practice document and shall not be entitled to access to meeting minutes.

• Timely notice of standards-setting, certification or code of ethics activities should be provided to all parties known to be directly and materially affected.

• No industry segment, interest group, or company should be allowed to dominate the process. All views and objections should receive fair and equitable consideration.

• Written procedures should govern the methods used to develop standards or certification criteria, and these procedures should be available for review by any interested person.

• The written procedures should specify realistic, readily available, and timely appeals procedures for the impartial handling of complaints concerning any action or inaction by the Association with regard to its standards, certification, or code of ethics activities.

7.0 Executive Responsibilities The Board of Directors has the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the Association's antitrust compliance

policy. The chief staff executive is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation. 8.0 Training

All members will receive a copy of this Antitrust Compliance Policy as part of their initial orientation and will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they have read it and have been given an opportunity to ask questions.

A copy of this Antitrust Compliance Policy will be made available on the Association's website and will also be included in quarterly conference materials 9.0 Complaint Investigation and Internal Enforcement

Reports of noncompliance or other complaints should be promptly sent to the chief staff executive. If there is reason to believe that an antitrust violation may have been committed, an investigation will be undertaken promptly. If an instance of questionable conduct is presented, the chief staff executive will consult with Association counsel promptly to determine whether an internal investigation is appropriate.

Members that violate or fail to comply with this Policy will receive a letter from Association counsel. Because compliance with Association policies is a membership requirement, membership can be terminated as a result of member company violations of the Association's Antitrust Compliance Policy.

Function Space & Meeting Rooms Floor Plan

COBALT A

COBALT B

GRAND BALLROOM

A

B

PRE-FUNCTION MAGENTA



FUTURE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Palm Beach, FL

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March 18 – 21, 2018 The InterContinental Boston Hotel

Boston, MA

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September 16 – 18, 2018 Four Seasons Hotel

Baltimore, MD

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