The dynamic growth of Atlanta over the past decade is amazing. From downtown past midtown and out to Buckhead, countless high-rise buildings dot the skyline, which is now equal to Los Angeles.

Well-heeled locals like to escape the city and head up to the nearby North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. The Atlanta Investment Conference allows investors to experience these natural wonders as well as get highly regarded investment advice.

 

The location

Now in its 18th year, the Atlanta Investment Conference is put on by the Friends for Autism Foundation as well as Martin and Marjie Truax. Martin and his partner, Ron Miller, have managed high net worth accounts for more than 30 years out of their Atlanta Morgan Keegan office. Truax also is the author of the book “Building Personal Wealth.”

The conference is held at Chota Falls just outside Clayton, Ga. Chota Falls is a private retreat owned by the Truaxes. It combines natural beauty with elegant trappings. The property includes a large waterfall cascading down a lush green mountain to a river that runs along the outer boundary. The lower and more dramatic falls serve as the location for the numerous weddings held at this retreat, which includes a chapel, clubhouse, pool area and numerous luxury guest lodging options. One could easily sit by the falls and pass several hours in total relaxation. The more adventurous may choose to take on the upper falls area, a hike that will prove fulfilling.

Clayton, Ga. is about an hour-and-a-half drive from downtown Atlanta. On the way to town, make sure to check out Tallulah Falls and Lake Rabun. The latter is home to many opulent lakefront homes and has been called one of the prettiest lakes in the world.

 

The conference

This conference started on a Thursday afternoon and ran through Friday and Saturday. Unlike many investment conferences, this is a smaller, more exclusive gathering. Gaps in the schedule allow attendees to take in the beauty of the location or just relax and digest the important information they receive during the conference.

The speakers discussed precious metals, base metals, oil, natural gas, geothermal, wind, solar and, of course, politics.

Dr. Alan Keyes, a conservative political activist, author and former diplomat, and former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr gave very interesting lectures on where the U.S. is heading. After their speeches, they mingled freely with the crowd. I found Keyes to be a man of keen intellect with a fervent belief in his causes. Both of these speakers expect major tax increases under the current administration.

 

While political talk is stimulating, most attendees were there for investment insight. Rick Rule and Adrian Day were this year’s co-hosts. Rule runs Global Research Investments, headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif. His specialty: investing and financing small-to-medium size energy, precious metals and base metal mining companies. Rule admitted, like many, he was caught off guard by how severe the above markets were hit by the economic downturn, which has led him to believe that investing in the “survivors” is much less risky. Those survivors — companies that have adequate cash reserves — will weather the storm and are selling at big discounts. Those who will need to refinance will quite likely go under or be absorbed, he maintains. 

 

Another speaker who caught my attention was Miller, a no-nonsense money manager who relies heavily on technical analysis. Miller has done more than break even over the past year; he’s produced consistent double-digit returns for his clients. I spoke to several attendees who were very happy with the information they received from lectures at the conference.

The atmosphere at investment conferences is quite exhilarating, especially if you have had success with the themes presented at previous such events. There is a bit of a letdown as the show ends and we go back to the more tedious task of implementing the advice.

Still, I left, as I do each conference, wishing for more.

For more information, visit www.aicatchota.com.