Annual Forecast Dinner

This annual gala attracts over 400+ Connecticut Area investment industry professionals to share an evening of good cheer and great discussion centered on important issues in the world of financial services. Guests enjoy cocktails, a delicious meal, vast networking opportunities, and prominent speakers at the centrally located Connecticut Convention Center.

Don’t miss the region’s premier event for investment management professionals. 

2026 | Global Market Outlook

The White Lotus is a popular series on HBO. Each season takes us to a beautiful resort with gorgeous sunsets, fancy cocktails, and luxury. While the scenery is beautiful at the surface, underneath it, potential chaos brews as deceit, murders, and crime arise.

Similarly, after three straight years of double-digit gains, the financial markets appear stable at the surface until hidden risks like tariffs, a divided Federal Reserve, and high valuations rise to the surface. In this presentation, we will use main characters from the White Lotus to explain the White Lotus Financial Market, three primary investment forecast themes for 2026, and how to navigate the White Lotus Financial Market. If you haven’t seen the show, don’t worry—there will be explanations and character discussions to assist in following along.

Held at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford on Thursday, February 12, 2026

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

View the Keynote Presentation

PHOTOS from the evening, including highlights from the Forecast Dinner and CFA Charterholder Ceremony, are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1467765725353491&type=3

Click on image to view the Keynote Presentation

 

Keynote Speaker

Gene Goldman, CFA
Chief Investment Officer & Director of Research
Cetera Investment Management

Gene Goldman is responsible for the strategic direction and continued growth of the firm’s research offerings. Gene has more than 33 years of experience in the development of investment strategies, money manager research and overseeing investment analysts. He is frequently cited in a range of national media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, Forbes, CNN, and Reuters and he is a regular guest on high-profile news networks including CNBC and Fox Business News. Mr. Goldman earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Northeastern University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA).

Guest Speaker

Treasurer Erick Russell
Connecticut State Treasurer

Born and raised in New Haven, Russell adopted the work ethic and financial responsibility of his parents by working in the family’s small convenience store. He would become the first in his family to graduate college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven. Russell continued his education at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He interned with the Connecticut Legal Rights Project and the administration of Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy. After law school, Russell joined the prestigious Connecticut law firm of Pullman & Comley where he was a partner in the firm’s Public and Private Finance Group. Erick Russell was sworn in as Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer on January 4, 2023. He is currently serving his first term.

Past Forecast Events

2026 | Global Market Outlook

The White Lotus is a popular series on HBO. Each season takes us to a beautiful resort with gorgeous sunsets, fancy cocktails, and luxury. While the scenery is beautiful at the surface, underneath it, potential chaos brews as deceit, murders, and crime arise.


Similarly, after three straight years of double-digit gains, the financial markets appear stable at the surface until hidden risks like tariffs, a divided Federal Reserve, and high valuations rise to the surface. In this presentation, we will use main characters from the White Lotus to explain the White Lotus Financial Market, three primary investment forecast themes for 2026, and how to navigate the White Lotus Financial Market. If you haven’t seen the show, don’t worry—there will be explanations and character discussions to assist in following along.

2025 | Global Market Outlook

On March 6, 2025 CFA Society Hartford hosted the Annual Forecast Dinner for a Global Economic Forecast, Guide to the Markets: Out of the cyclical storm and into the policy fog, with keynote speaker Gabriela Santos, Chief Market Strategist, JP Morgan Investments

2024 | Global Market Outlook

On February 29, 2024 CFA Society Hartford hosted the Annual Forecast Dinner for a Global Economic Forecast with keynote speaker David Bianco, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, DWS Investments

2023 | Global Market Outlook

2022 | Risk & Opportunities

  • Keynote speaker Russ Kosterich, Managing Director, BlackRock
  • View Photos

2021 | Capital Markets Observations and Expectations

2020   | Through the Global Looking Glass: Markets in 2020

2019 | The Real News About the US Economy

2018 | Investing in 2018 and Beyond: A Guide to the Markets

  • Keynote Speaker Dr. David Kelly, CFA, Managing Director, Chief Global Strategist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
  • View Photos

2017 | A New Path: The Growth & Reflation Trade

  • The Future of Hartford, Luke Bronin, Mayor of Hartford
  • Opening Remarks, Paul Smith, CFA, President & CEO, CFA Institute
  • Keynote Speaker, Douglas Coté, CFA, Chief Market Strategist, VOYA, Investment Management
  • View Photos

2016 | Forecast by Robert Doll

  • Keynote Speaker Robert C. Doll, CFA, Chief Equity Strategist, Senior, Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Asset Management
  • View Photos

2015 | World Macro Outlook

  • Keynote Speaker, Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro for Fidelity Management & Research Company

2013 | The Outlook for 2013:  Living in the Age of Financial Repression

  • Keynote Speaker, Mark W. Yusko - CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Morgan Creek Capital

2014 | Fed-pho-bi-a

  • Keynote Speaker, Dan Roberts, PhD, Chief Investment Officer of MacKay Shields