GOB Investment Fund/Contributions
About Us
The 'Original' Value Investing Conference...
Finally a small gathering for the independent thinking investor, where world-class investors meet Warren Buffett CEOs. Geared particularly for the very seasoned and concentrated investor who prefers a more quantitative (numbers and measurable) and qualitative (management and non measurable) approach to selecting investments.
According to Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, “All intelligent investing is value investing.” Therefore, this value and intelligent investor retreat is enjoyed by independent minded investment professionals from around the world representing private investors,certified financial analysts, high net worth individuals, hedge fund managers, family offices, registered investment advisors, stock brokers, financial consultants, security analysts, pension fund consultants, public pension funds, independent trust companies, endowments, foundations, and mutual fund managers.
About Us
Nearly a decade ago during their visit to Los Angeles, Wesco Financial shareholders and others interested in the wit and wisdom of Charlie Munger, Wesco’s Chairman, began visiting the manufacturing and shipping factories of Sees Candies, a Berkshire wholly owned subsidiary.
The Value Investor Conference was created to accommodate North American as well as international shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway as they attend the annual meeting weekend in Omaha. First as a Graham Buffett Book Conference and now as a Buffett CEO, professional and private money manager, family office, foundation executive, pension fund consultant, high net worth individual, author, mutual fund manager, board member, finance and management professor, and business journalist retreat.
Conference Director — Robert P. Miles
Robert P. Miles [www.robertpmiles.com] is the conference founder and host. Author of The Warren Buffett CEO: Secrets From the Berkshire Hathaway Managers; 101 Reasons To Own the World's Greatest Investment: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren Buffett Wealth: Principles and Practical Methods Used by the World’s Greatest Investor.
Immediately prior to the Value Investor Conference, at the University of Nebraska - Omaha (UNO), Mr. Miles will be teaching the graduate Executive MBA three day seminar, "The Genius of Warren Buffett: The Science of Investing and the Art of Managing". This one-of-a-kind course is a concentrated study based upon Mr. Miles' extensive scholarly research and worldwide lectures on Warren Buffett.
He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School.
- Q. How can I be considered to present at one of your events?
A. Thanks for your inquiry about presenting at future Value Investor Conferences. As you can imagine, we get lots of inquires about speaking. We invite presenters based on a survey of nominations by previous attendees. - Q. Is the event open to the media?
A. No, while in the past we have invited the media (most recently 28 members of the press registered), attendees prefer a closed conference so presenters are able to speak with candor. Restricting the press and cameras gives our registered attendees full access to the speakers. Sorry, there are NO complimentary media passes. - Q. Is your event available online?
A. No, one of the benefits of our meeting is the interaction and networking opportunities with participants from six continents and as many as 24 countries. Up close and personal contact with our presenters is one of the number one positive comments we get from attendees. We do post some of the presentations on our website after the event giving our attendees plenty of time to act of any actionable ideas. - Q. Do you have a cancellation policy?
A. Refunds are available for cancellation requests received 60 days prior to the conference, less a $200 processing fee. Within 60 days of the event, there are no refunds however you may send a colleague in your place provided you notify us by email at least 2 weeks in advance. VIC reserves the right to refuse service to anyone and to make necessary changes in speakers, fees, content or any other details of the program or to cancel it without notice, in which event VIC’s liability is solely to refund all registration fees. - Q. Does the Conference offer stock tips?
A. The Value Investor Conference (VIC) is an education based event focused on the investment process and mistakes rather than hot stock tips. VIC does not provide specific investment advice and is not responsible for speakers’ or attendees’ remarks. Before investing in anything, you must conduct your own careful due diligence. - Q. Does your conference attract a large attendance of investment advisors or more private investors?
A. Our surveys of previous attendees shows that our average participant has $100 million under management and is a professional investment manager. We do attract many high net worth individuals and Berkshire shareholders from all six continents and over 30 countries, with most defining themselves as Value Investors. - Q. Will most conference presenters discuss applied portfolio management in the private wealth management arena? Or is more of learning valuation for identifying companies that undervalued from an institutional perspective?
A. Most conference presenters are professional investment managers and discuss their investment process, mistakes, checklists, current holdings, themes and portfolio construction. We don't distinguish between private wealth and institutional investment management but consider the conference content to be applicable to both. - Q. What has been some of the feedback from the prior attendees in the financial services space?
A. Our best reviews come from our high percentage of returning conference attendees and the fact that we consistently sell out seats in the main auditorium. Previous years we had to broadcast the conference to remote rooms to accommodate overflow attendees. - Q. Is there a discount for early registration?
A. Yes we publish our registration discount schedule here: http://valueinvestorconference.com/valueinvestorregister.html - Q. Will Warren Buffett make an guest appearance at the Value Investor Conference Dinner?
A. No. Warren is always invited but has many demands on his time during the Berkshire Annual Meeting Weekend. - Q. I have recently finished reading your book 101 Reasons To Own the World's Greatest Investment: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. I have been researching investments for a few years and from what I have learned Berkshire Hathaway to me is the best and only stock I want to own. But I never bought a stock before. Can you please give me very detailed step by step directions on how to own this stock with qualifications and any recommendations if/when needed.
A. Hope you enjoyed 101 Reasons To Own the World's Greatest Investment. I am not a licensed stock broker, registered investment advisor or financial planner therefore I am not qualified to help you. Suggest hiring a professional or visiting a local low cost stock broker like Fidelity, Schwab, TDAmeritrade or Scottrade. They will be able to guide you through detailed steps to purchase Berkshire Hathaway B shares (NYSE:BRK.b). Good luck with your investments. - Q. Can I pay with credit card? Yes, the website registration uses PayPal so you choose your payment method via PayPal. Most countries and currencies accepted. We also accept bank transfers and can send an invoice with wire instructions upon request.
- Q. The discount for group of 4 is on top of the early bird discount? Yes, and group discounts are best handled by invoice as website registration does not allow for them.
- Q. Do you have hotel recommendations? There are several hotels near University of Nebraska at Omaha and it is best to book early. See our website for location and accommodation information. http://valueinvestorconference.com/valueinvestorlocation.html
- Q. Does the bundle include tickets for the Berkshire annual meeting? BRK credentials are sent upon request to shareholders once the Annual Letter is made available. We often have extra credentials which we provide to attendees on a first come basis.
Educational and Charitable Donations
Our programs have contributed a total of $172,770to Education and Charities to-date.
2016 Spring: $25,000. with $10,000. to Omaha Girls Inc., $6,000. to GOB Investment Fund and $9,000. to UNO EMBA Excellence Fund.
| Total Value Investor Conference and Events Educational and Charitable Donations |
||
| 2016 Educational or Charitable Recipient | Amount Donated | TOTAL |
| Previous Total | $62,370. | |
| Omaha Girls Inc. | $10,000. | |
| UNO EMBA Excellence Fund | $9,000. | |
| 2016 TOTAL VIC Educational and Charitable Donations | $81,370. | |
| Previous GOB Investment Fund | $49,400. | |
| GOB S2016 | $6,000. | |
| S2016 Total GOB Investment Fund | $55,400. | |
| 2017 GOBF17 Contributions | ||
| GOB F17 Scholarship for Investment Fund Challenge | $1000. | |
| GOB F17 Guest Speakers' Contribution | $6,000. | $7,000. |
| $143,770. | ||
2016 Philanthropy Summit at UNO presents $10,000 check to Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. received a $10,000 check from a donation following the Philanthropy Summit at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The summit, held April 28, 2016, featured two of Warren Buffett’s children: Susie Buffett, chair of the Sherwood Foundation, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, and Peter Buffett, the co-president of the NoVo Foundation and co-chair of its Board of Directors. The summit focused on the impact the Buffett family has had on global philanthropy. Other topics included social value investing and strategic giving. Roberta Wilhelm, executive director of Girls Inc., said the $10,000 gift has funded its Eureka! program. Entering its fifth year, the Eureka! program, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program, combines multiple educational experiences for selected 8th and 9th graders. Some of the programs include intensive summer camp experiences in STEM on the UNO campus; educational and experiential opportunities during the school year; and career development opportunities for high school age participants with sports and personal development activities.
Value Investor Conference News
2015 — VIC 15 — Contributed $12,000 for the benefit of the UNO Executive MBA Excellence Fund.
2014 — VIC 14 — Contributed $6,000 for the benefit of the UNO Executive MBA Program.
2013 — VIC 13 — $6,000 was donated to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, School of Business Executive MBA Program
Additional donations by:
VIC 13 — Presenter Bob Robotti and The Suzanne and Robert Robotti Foundation
2012 — $6,000 was donated to the University of Nebraska Omaha and $1,000 to Girls Inc., Omaha.
2011 — In honor of each VIC presenter from the 2011 Conference
- Omaha, a donation of $4,150
was made to the University of Nebraska
at Omaha College of Business general fund.
Australia and New Zealand Value Investor Conference ended their day long event with a Sydney Boatshare auction helping raise $6,150 for The Cancer Council Queensland in memory of Wayne Peters' father, Adrian Robert Peters. Charity money raised: over $20,000 Project Orbis in honor of Al Ueltschi.
- $8,500 (2007)
- $5,500 (2008)
- $1,535 (2009)
- $4,535 (2010)
Plus $6,150 for The Cancer Council Queensland in memory of Wayne Peters' father, Adrian Robert Peters
Summary: The GOB Investment Fund has been established to support the Genius of Buffett Executive MBA program. Each class of Executives and Lifelong Learners selects a portfolio of stocks meeting all the criteria taught in the course. After a decade long holding period, a portion of the student selected fund is sold each year for the unrestricted benefit of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Executive MBA (EMBA) Program.
Investment Process: After completing the Genius of Buffett course and participating in as many as ten blind valuations of stocks and businesses purchased by Warren Buffett, Executive teams select, research, present, and defend a qualified stock. In addition, each team designated stock selected for the portfolio must receive an exemplary grade on their in-depth Investment Research Report from the UNO College of Business Administration (CBA) Director of Finance.
Benefits: Course participants benefit by understanding the investment valuation process of Warren Buffett. Executives and Lifelong Learners see the merit of their research and recommendations over a long time horizon. Donors receive a current year tax deduction while supporting the legacy of one of the world’s greatest investment minds. Contributors to the fund also receive copies of the Executive team’s Investment Research Reports to consider for their own portfolios. UNO EMBA program receives long term financial support to continue offering programs like this to their students and the community. In addition, UNO CBA continues its outreach and global awareness of their outstanding educational programs by attracting Lifelong Learners and donors from around the world.
To read a complete overview and information of the GOB Investment Fund, please click here for a .PDF download.
NEW! To read the 2017 UPDATE letter for the GOB Investment Fund, please click here.
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2017
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 7, 2017. -- University of Nebraska at Omaha Executive MBA candidate Dan Gard won a $1,000 scholarship during the Genius of Warren Buffett (GOB) course by presenting Greenbrier (NYSE: GBX), a railroad card manufacturer, as a potential Berkshire addition.
Gard won the GOB Investment Challenge in which eight contestants pitched a variety of stocks covering diverse industries and services that met the acquisition criteria to be a part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses. Judges included GOB alumni, and UNO Finance Professor Laura Beal.
With more than 260 graduates—representing six continents and over 35 countries—the course has achieved extraordinary success. Many lifelong learners traveled from around the world to take the course multiple times.
Companies chosen by past winners include Waste Management (NYSE: WM), Amerco (NYSE: UHAL) and John Deere (NYSE: DE), which was included in the Berkshire common stock portfolio.
The GOB Investment Fund, created in 2013, invests in the stocks recommended by the Executives and Lifelong Learners who take the course. The student-directed portfolios from each class are held for 10 years. Ten percent will be sold each year and distributed back to the unrestricted use by the UNO Executive MBA program.
After four years, the fund exceeds $76,192 and is on target to reach $200,000 by 2024, the first year distributions begin. Donations are accepted and held by the Nebraska University Foundation.
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Melanie Krings, director, UNO Executive MBA program at mdkrings@unomaha.edu or.402.554.2867.
To read complete PDF release, click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 13, 2017
2017 UPDATE letter for the GOB Investment Fund, please click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 31, 2016
Fall 2016 Genius of Warren Buffett Merit Scholarship Recipient, Hallie Hanlon-Ward, and instructor Bob Miles. (Read Omaha World Herald article, "Winning Pitch", by Steve Jordon.) Read PDF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2016
GOB Spring 16 Investment Challenge Contest $5,000.00 Merit Scholarship Winners (L-R)UNO Professor David Volkman (Judge), GOB Instructor Robert Miles, Winning Team Noah IIwoo Lee (South Korea) and Murali Lakshman, Professor Laura Beal (Judge), GOB Alumnus Ivan Munteanu (Judge)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fall 2015 Investment Challenge Winners
GOB Fall 2015: Robert Miles (instructor), Alec Mizner, Josh Hansen, Randy Veik, Michael Sadovsky, Dr. David Volkman (instructor)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2015
On June 1, 2015 a donation of $10,400 to the GOB Investment Fund in honor of the Spring 2015 guest lecturers and Investment Challenge Contest Winners was presented by Robert Miles. Last fall Miles presented a donation for a $1,000 scholarship to GOB Fall 2014 Investment Challenge Contest winners along with $6,000 to the GOB Investment Fund portfolio. The donation was made in the honor of each of the 6 guest speakers or $1,000 each. This brings the GOB Investment Fund up to $40,400 plus $2,000 in merit scholarships ($1,000 GOB Fall 13 and $1,000 GOB Fall 14) for a total of $42,400 donated.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 30, 2014
Four local executives who participated in the University of Nebraska at Omaha Executive MBA course on Warren Buffett have won a $1,000 merit scholarship.
Teams from the “Genius of Warren Buffett: The Science of Investing and the Art of Managing” course competed against one another after three weekends of learning Buffett’s investing, managing, leadership, marketing, character and philanthropy secrets from those closest to him--including his daughter, Susan Buffett, and executives from Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries.
The winning idea best fit into Berkshire Hathaway’s four main tenets: business, management, financials and valuation. The team suggested the company buy stock of Cummins, a global diesel engine manufacturer based in Indiana.
Winners of the scholarship are (Photo Left to Right) Andrew Gassman, a key account advertising consultant at Cox Media; Rony Kappuzha, an IT project manager at Infogroup INC; Scott Moulton, a performance manager at Gallup; and Doug Peterchuck, a manager at Omaha Public Power District.
“This course continues to develop into the only one of its kind in the world with extraordinary guest speakers offering insights into the genius and the wisdom of Warren Buffett,” said Bob Miles, course instructor and international authority and author on Buffett.
A team of independent judges- including Dr. Dave Volkman, CBA Finance Department chair, and Genius of Warren Buffett graduates- selected the winners.
More information about the course and its next three-day offering in the spring is available here: http://cba2.unomaha.edu/execmgmt/BuffettGenius/
The Genius of Warren Buffett: The Science of Investing and the Art of Managing is a course offered as part of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Executive MBA program. The course is taught by Robert P. Miles, a worldwide lecturer and author of three books on Warren Buffett, along with as many as six guest speakers.
GOB F14 Investment Challenge Contest Merit Scholarship Winners (L to R) Andrew Gassman, (Cox Media); Rony Kappuzha, (Infogroup); Scott Moulton, (Gallup); Doug Peterchuck (Omaha Power): Robert Miles (Instructor)
GOB Charitable Contributions News
10/13/17— GOB F17 recieved a donation of $1,000 for the GOB F17 scholarship winner of the Investment Challenge Contest from Robert P. Miles and a $6,000 donation in honor of the GOB 17 guest speakers. Total contributions for GOB F17 are $7,000.
12/11/15 — $1,000 scholarship to GOB F15 Investment Challenge Contest winners.
• $6,000 to the GOB Investment Fund for the GOB F15 portfolio in the honor of each of the 6 guest speakers or $1,000 each.
• The GOB Investment Fund is up to $46,400, plus $3,000 in merit scholarships ($1,000 GOB F13, $1,000 GOB F14 and $1,000 GOB F15), for a total of $49,400 donated.
5/30/15 — GOB S15 Contributed $10,400 for the benefit of the GOB Investment Fund S15 Portfolio. This brings total contributions up to $42,400.
12/11/14 — $1,000 scholarship to GOB F14 Investment Challenge Contest winners.
• $6,000 to the GOB Investment Fund for the GOB F14 portfolio in the honor
of each of the 6 guest speakers or $1,000 each.
• The GOB Investment Fund is up to $30,000, plus $2,000 in merit scholarships ($1,000 GOB F13 and $1,000 GOB F14), for a total of $32,000 donated.
• 5/30/14 — GOB S14 Contributed $8,000 for the benefit of the GOB Investment Fund S14 Portfolio. This combined with $15,000 contributed to the F13 Portfolio brings total contributions up to $24,000.
GOB Investment Challenge Winners Fall 2013
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