Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt, U.S. Representative Greg Ganske and Iowa Superintendent of Securities Craig Goettsch will hold a free Investors’ Town Meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Des Moines on Friday, November 21. More than 800 investors are expected to attend the educational event, with reservations recommended because seating is limited.
The meeting comes as more American households are investing in the markets than ever before and a record $4 trillion is invested in mutual funds. Levitt will offer basic tips and answer questions about making informed investment decisions, monitoring investments and avoiding problems. He will also identify questions people should ask before investing.
“More Americans than ever are putting their hard-earned money in the market. It’s critical that they understand their investments,” Levitt said. “Educated investors create stronger markets, and they are better able to protect themselves against potential fraud and abuse.”
Ganske said the meeting is intended both for experienced investors and people considering entering the market for the first time. Goettsch described the event as a grassroots investor education project aimed at demystifying the investment marketplace for Iowa consumers.
Meeting and seminar schedule
The Investors’ Town Meeting will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 E. Locust Street, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. One-hour investment seminars will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. on “Tips for Successful Investing,” “Power Investing—You’re in Control” and “Money 2000—Setting Financial Goals.” Reservations may be made through Cecilee Smart-Griffin by telephone at 1-800-418-3055, fax at (312) 353-7398 or email at [email protected].
The Des Moines event will be the 21st in a national series designed to promote public understanding of securities markets and awareness of the risks and rewards of investing. The format also allows securities officials to hear directly from investors about how government can better serve the investing public. Its steering committee includes representatives of investor, financial, securities and local organizations, including the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Stock Market and the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.