Sohn Conference Foundation

{{Unreliable sources|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox organization | image = | image_alt = | caption = | logo = File:Sohn Conference Foundation logo.jpg | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | predecessor = Ira Sohn Research Conference | merged_into = | successor = | formation = {{start date and age|2006}} | extinction =  | type = NGO | status = Foundation | purpose = To raise money to support medical research, the development of research equipment, and programs to help children with cancer and other childhood illnesses. | headquarters = 635 Madison Avenue <br />Suite 1402 <br />New York, NY 10022 | coordinates =  | services = | language = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Dan Nir (Co-Founder & President)|Doug Hirsch (Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus)|Evan Sohn (Co-Founder, Vice President and Treasurer)|Graham Duncan (CEO & Chairman)|Isa Shreeve (Managing Director)}} | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | affiliations = | budget = | num_volunteers = | slogan = | remarks = | former_name = | footnotes = | name = Sohn Conference Foundation | native_name = | native_name_lang = | named_after = Ira Sohn | image_size = | logo_size = | founders = {{unbulleted list|Douglas Hirsch|Lance Laifer|Daniel Nir|Judith Sohn|Evan Sohn}} | founding_location = New York | merger = | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | location = New York | region_served = | products = | methods = | fields = | num_members = | num_members_year = | owner =  | secretary_general = | secessions = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers_year = | website = {{URL|http://www.sohnconference.org/}} }}

The '''Sohn Conference Foundation''' was founded in 2006 to raise money to support medical research, the development of research equipment, and programs to help children with cancer and other childhood illnesses. {{As of|2018}} more than $85 million has been raised.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sohn-live-blog-top-investors-pitch-their-best-ideas-2018-04-23|title=Hedge-fund managers offer their top stock-market picks: Sohn live blog|last=Vlastelica|first=William Watts, Ryan|work=MarketWatch|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-US}}</ref> The Sohn Conference was founded in 1995 in memory of Ira Sohn, a Wall Street professional, who died of cancer at the age of 29. At that time the conference raised money for Tomorrow's Children's Fund.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sohnconference.org/about/mission/|title=About Us {{!}} Sohn|last=Foundation|first=Sohn Conference|date=2015-11-13|newspaper=Sohn Conference Foundation|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> The foundation has 501(c)(3) non-profit status.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reg.sohnconference.com/sohndonation/index.aspx|title=Sohn Conference Foundation|last=Foundation|first=Sohn Conference|website=reg.sohnconference.com|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref>

== Conference history == Launched in 1995<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tel-Aviv-hosts-Sohn-Conference-424977|title=Tel Aviv hosts Sohn Conference|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |issn=0792-822X|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> as the Ira Sohn Research Conference, it is now called the Sohn Investment Conference. It was created after the premature death from cancer of Ira W. Sohn, by his friends and colleagues Douglas Hirsch, Lance Laifer and Daniel Nir, together with Sohn's mother Judith Sohn and brother Evan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blog.beaconwealthmanagement.com/things-you-didnt-hear-from-the-sohn-investment-conference|title=Things You Didn't Hear from the Sohn Investment Conference|last=Powell|first=Tina|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref>

In May 2016, the foundation and CNBC announced a partnership to present the Sohn Investment Conferences in collaboration. The first conference presented as a partnership took place in New York City on May 4, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/09/the-sohn-conference-foundation-and-cnbc-strike-groundbreaking-global-partnership-for-renowned-sohn-investment-conferences.html|title=The Sohn Conference Foundation and CNBC Strike Groundbreaking Global Partnership for Renowned Sohn Investment Conferences|last=CNBC|date=2016-03-09|website=CNBC|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref>

== Key people == * Dan Nir – Co-founder & President, Sohn Conference Foundation<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://thereformedbroker.com/2015/04/30/ira-sohn-conference-agenda-released/|title=Ira Sohn Conference Agenda Released|website=thereformedbroker.com|date=30 April 2015 |access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> * Doug Hirsch – Co-founder & Chairman Emeritus, Sohn Conference Foundation<ref name=":0" /> * Evan Sohn – Co-founder, Vice President and Treasurer<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Evan+Sohn/Pershing+Square+Sohn+Cancer+Alliance+3rd+Annual/dpEWqu20GKL|title=Evan Sohn Photos Photos: The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Alliance 3rd Annual Prize Award Dinner|newspaper=Zimbio|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> * Graham Duncan – CEO & Chairman<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/03/2016-sohn-investment-conference-speakers/|title=2016 Sohn Investment Conference Speakers|date=2016-03-23|website=ValueWalk|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref>

== Sohn Investment Conference == Each year the conference brings together about 3,000<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-how-to-steal-the-show-at-the-sohn-hedge-fund-conference-2016-05-03|title=Here's how to steal the show at the Sohn hedge fund conference|last=Watts|first=William|newspaper=MarketWatch|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> investors and hedge fund managers who present their views and ideas about investing. According to the ''Wall Street Journal'', the Sohn Investment Conference “is the Superbowl of investing conferences.” The conference can be a showcase for some historic messages, the most prominent being when David Einhorn predicted the failure of Lehman Brothers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2016/05/04/from-einhorn-to-chanos-to-gundlach-live-analysis-of-the-sohn-conference/|title=From Einhorn to Chanos to Gundlach, Live Analysis of the Sohn Conference|last=Staff|first=WSJ|newspaper=WSJ|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nymag.com/news/businessfinance/47844/|title=The Confidence Man|website=NYMag.com|date=13 June 2008 |access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> Next Wave Sohn was launched in May 2014. It showcases the next generation of hedge fund managers whose resumes and past performances predict that they will become Wall Street's future stars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.barrons.com/articles/SB50001424053111904732704579544262383242596|title=5 Stock Picks From Next Wave Sohn Conference|last=Rublin|first=Lauren R.|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref> Next Wave Sohn is held in the morning before the main conference event. It is in the same format and spirit as the main conference, but for emerging funds instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-30/baby-hedge-fund-managers-show-their-stuff|title=Baby Hedge Fund Managers Show Their Stuff|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref>

== Past investment speakers == * William Ackman<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2015/05/04/from-einhorn-to-ackman-live-from-the-ira-sohn-conference/|title=From Einhorn to Ackman, Recapping the Ira Sohn Conference|last=Staff|first=WSJ|newspaper=WSJ|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Stanley Druckenmiller<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/05/stan-druckenmiller-sohn-slides/|title=Stan Druckenmiller At Sohn "The Endgame" Transcript And Slides|date=2016-05-06|newspaper=ValueWalk|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * David Einhorn<ref name=":1" /> * Niall Ferguson<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2010/05/todays_ira_sohn_conference.html|title=Today's Ira Sohn Conference: Who Will Cry?|newspaper=Daily Intelligencer|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Jeffrey Gundlach<ref name=":1"/> * Carl Icahn<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gurufocus.com/news/134557/ira-sohn-conference-carl-icahns-favorite-stock-is-icahn-enterprises|title=Ira Sohn Conference: Carl Icahn's Favorite Stock is Icahn Enterprises - GuruFocus.com|website=www.gurufocus.com|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Paul Tudor Jones<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/05/paul-tudor-jones-2014-ira-sohn/|title=Paul Tudor Jones Presentation - Ira Sohn 2014 Investment Conference|date=2014-05-05|newspaper=ValueWalk|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Seth Klarman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/30/sohn-investment-idea-contest-launches-in-advance-of-21st-annual-sohn-investment-conference.html|title=Sohn Investment Idea Contest Launches in Advance of 21st Annual Sohn Investment Conference|last=CNBC|date=2016-03-30|website=CNBC|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Howard Marks<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketfolly.com/2015/05/capitalize-for-kids-sohn-canada.html|title=Capitalize For Kids / Sohn Canada Conference 2015: Marks, Burbank, Lasry, Singh & More|website=www.marketfolly.com|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Larry Robbins<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/05/larry-robbins-sohn-conference/|title=larry robbins On Anthem Cigna Merger At Sohn Conference|date=2016-05-04|newspaper=ValueWalk|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * Paul Singer<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2013/05/paul-singer-ira-sohn-conference-live/|title=Paul Singer at Ira Sohn Conference [Live]|date=2013-05-08|newspaper=ValueWalk|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref> * David Tepper<ref name=":2" /> * Sam Zell<ref name=":2" />

== Past Honorees == * Trevor Reilly<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thereformedbroker.com/2015/04/30/ira-sohn-conference-agenda-released/|title=Ira Sohn Conference Agenda Released|website=The Reformed Broker|date=30 April 2015 |access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Magnus Carlsen<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/magnus-carlsen-video-at-sohn-conference-2015-5|title=Watch 24-year-old chess-champ Magnus Carlsen destroy 3 players simultaneously — while blindfolded|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en}}</ref> * Eli Manning<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/LifeStyleFitnessNews/article-1/Eli-Manning-receives-grant-for-Hackensack-UMC/45b3de49-f213-4a76-83f4-3283ce0d3b6f|title=Eli Manning receives grant for Hackensack UMC|access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Marc Messier<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/business/25insider.html|title=Topics That Make Money Managers Get All Sentimental|last=Anderson|first=Jenny|date=2007-05-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> * Pat LaFontaine<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hackensackumcfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=jmsch_philanthropy_in_action|title=Philanthropy In Action - HackensackUMC Foundation|website=www.hackensackumcfoundation.org|access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Oz Pearlman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/embed/tYNQIJcFWOI|title=Sohn Conference -- Oz Pearlman - YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Elena Simon<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/live-blog-investors-gather-for-sohn-conference/|title=Investors Gather for Sohn Conference|last=Eavis|first=Peter|date=2014-05-05|website=DealBook|accessdate=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Cindy Campbell<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.beaconwealthmanagement.com/things-didnt-hear-sohn-investment-conference/|title=Things You Didn't Hear From The Sohn Investment Conference - Beacon Wealth Management|date=2013-05-13|work=Beacon Wealth Management|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en-US}}</ref> * Sandy Simon<ref name="hedgeho.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hedgeho.com/hedge-fund-news/top-hedge-fund-managers-at-ira-sohn-investment-conference/|title=Top Hedge Fund Managers at Ira Sohn Investment Conference|website=www.hedgeho.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> * Marc Tessier Levigne<ref name="hedgeho.com"/> * Ken Langone<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/highlights-of-the-ira-sohn-conference-bill-ackman-david-einhorn-2011-5|title=Here Are The Real Highlights Of The Ira Sohn Conference|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en}}</ref>

== Investment Idea Contest == Students and professional investors are invited each year to submit an investment idea with a 12-month time horizon ahead of the annual Sohn Investment Conference in New York. The contest is judged by five major fund managers such as Bill Ackman and David Einhorn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/30/sohn-investment-idea-contest-launches-in-advance-of-21st-annual-sohn-investment-conference.html|title=Sohn Investment Idea Contest Launches in Advance of 21st Annual Sohn Investment Conference|last=CNBC|date=2016-03-30|website=CNBC|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref> The winner is given the opportunity to present the idea at the conference during a ten-minute pitch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ira-sohn-investment-idea-contest-2012-5|title=Today's Your Last Chance To Blow Bill Ackman And David Einhorn's Minds With Your Best Investment Idea|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-03-19|language=en}}</ref> Past winners include:

2011: Sunjay Gorawara- Indiana University undergraduate student.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gurufocus.com/news/134564/the-winning-stock-idea-from-the-ira-sohn-conference|title=The Winning Stock Idea from the Ira Sohn Conference - GuruFocus.com|website=www.gurufocus.com|access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref>

2012: Shantanu Agrawal<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketfolly.com/2012/05/michael-price-on-jc-penney-shantanu.html|title=Michael Price on JC Penney, Shantanu Agrawal on Xerox: Ira Sohn Presentations|website=www.marketfolly.com|access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref>- Pacific Investment Management Co vice president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/blackrock-adds-shantanu-agrawal-to-alternatives-team-20140320|title=BlackRock adds to alternatives team|last=York|first=Sarah Krouse in New|access-date=2017-03-20|language=en-GB}}</ref>

2016: Marc Grow- Columbia Business School student<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/01/sohn-investment-idea-contest-sponsored-by-glg-launches-in-advance-of-22nd-annual-sohn-investment-conference.html|title=Sohn Investment Idea Contest Sponsored by GLG Launches in Advance of 22nd Annual Sohn Investment Conference|last=CNBC|date=2017-03-01|website=CNBC|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref>

2017: Dylan Adelman- Wharton School of Business student<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/ira-sohn-investment-conference-2017/card/1494277763|title=Sohn Conference: Idea Contest Winner Says Go Long eBay|website=WSJ|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref>

2018: Andrew Walker- Rangeley Capital Head of Research<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/04/24/sohn-idea-contest-winner-is-long-this-hotel-stock.html|title=Sohn Idea Contest winner is long this hotel stock|website=CNBC|date=24 April 2018 |access-date=2018-05-09}}</ref>

Four finalists are awarded two tickets to the conference and access to the GLG network. Eight semi-finalists are also picked and given two tickets to the conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sohnconference.org/idea-contest/|title=Idea Contest – Sohn|last=Foundation|first=Sohn Conference|website=www.sohnconference.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref>

== Sohn Scientific Conference == In March/April 2016 the foundation held its first international scientific conference in collaboration with the New York Academy of Sciences to sponsor “Sohn Conference: Pediatric Cancer in a Post-Genomic World.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nyas.org/Events/Detail.aspx?cid=1040a56a-da94-4d11-bda6-c8336233ffed|title=Sohn Conference: Pediatric Cancer in a Post-genomic World {{!}} The New York Academy of Sciences|website=www.nyas.org|access-date=2016-12-05}}</ref>

== Pediatric cancer research and care == The foundation takes an investor's approach to choosing strategies to fight pediatric cancer. Focused on the New York metropolitan area, the foundation encourages collaboration among the area's well-known research institutes. Among its goals are to support a new generation of cancer researchers; to support access to the most current technologies for treating cancer; and to improve the quality of life for children who are living with cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/world-renowned-investors-to-speak-at-18th-annual-sohn-investment-conference-1783960.htm|title=World-Renowned Investors to Speak at 18th Annual Sohn Investment Conference|last=|first=|date=29 April 2013|website=|publisher=Marketwired|access-date=5 December 2016}}</ref>

== Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance == In 2014, the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research was launched by the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance. The award is bequeathed yearly to the most promising young scientists in New York City's medical research institutions and universities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://psscra.org/|title=Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance {{!}} Home|website=Pershing Square Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref>

== Strategic partners == The foundation gives grants to the following institutions:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/world-renowned-investors-to-speak-at-18th-annual-sohn-investment-conference-1783960.htm|title=World-Renowned Investors to Speak at 18th Annual Sohn Investment Conference|last=|first=|date=29 April 2013|website=|publisher=MarketWired|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> * Columbia University Medical Center * Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation * The New York Genome Center * Hackensack University Medical Center * Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center * NYU Langone Medical Center * New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center * Pershing Square Foundation * The Rockefeller University * Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute

== International expansion == The foundation has partnered and seeded conferences across the globe, including Australia,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.afr.com/markets/sohn-investment-conference-arrives-in-sydney-20161021-gs7n50|title=Sohn investment conference arrives in Sydney|date=2016-10-23|newspaper=Financial Review|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-08}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrystanpaul/2014/07/21/toronto-to-host-sohn-foundations-first-investment-conference-in-canada/|title=Toronto To Host Sohn Foundation's First Investment Conference In Canada|last=Paul|first=Chrystan|newspaper=Forbes|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> Hong Kong,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-31/here-s-how-hedge-funds-top-picks-at-2015-sohn-gathering-fared|title=Here's How Asia Hedge Funds' Top Picks at 2015 Sohn Fared|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> India,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiapages.in/first-sohn-india-investment-conference-held-mumbai-3670.html|title=First Sohn India Investment Conference To Be Held In Mumbai - Indiapages|date=2016-05-28|newspaper=Indiapages|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> London,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/19/industry-leaders-to-gather-at-the-5th-annual-sohn-london-investment-conference.html|title=Industry Leaders to Gather at the 5th Annual Sohn London Investment Conference|last=CNBC|date=2016-10-19|website=CNBC|access-date=2016-12-08}}</ref> New York City,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketfolly.com/2015/05/sohn-investment-conference-notes-2015.html|title=Sohn Investment Conference Notes 2015: Einhorn, Tepper, Ackman, Robbins & More|website=www.marketfolly.com|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> San Francisco,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sohn-san-francisco-investment-conference-2016-tickets-25250724597|title=Sohn San Francisco Investment Conference 2016|website=Eventbrite|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> Tel Aviv,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tel-Aviv-hosts-Sohn-Conference-424977|title=Tel Aviv hosts Sohn Conference|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |issn=0792-822X|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> Monaco<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.monacoforfinance.mc/en/articles/news-feeds/998-sohn-conference-foundation.html|title=Monaco For Finance - Sohn Conference Foundation|last=Finance|first=Monaco for|website=www.monacoforfinance.mc|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref> and Zurich.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sohnconference.org/zurich/|title=Zurich – SOHN|last=Foundation|first=SOHN Conference|website=www.sohnconference.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

Category:Business conferences Category:Health charities in the United States Category:Cancer organizations based in the United States Category:Investment in the United States Category:Recurring events established in 1995 Category:Financial District, Manhattan