Last month, we hosted a phenomenal Investment Strategy Salon Dinner at Ocean Prime in the Denver Tech Center, bringing together some of the sharpest minds in Colorado’s wealth management industry. These events are a favorite among RIAs, offering a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and stay ahead of market shifts over a three-course meal. The open flow of discussion fosters peer-to-peer learning, with even fund managers walking away with fresh perspectives. Here’s a roundup of the key insights shared, woven together with how they resonate in today’s market environment.
Amid ongoing market volatility—exacerbated by recent tariff threats and political uncertainty post-2024 election—one advisor proposed the “TACO trade,” a strategy of buying on Trump-induced market dips. This approach reflects the current market’s sensitivity to policy shifts, with the S&P 500 experiencing intermittent pullbacks tied to trade rhetoric. The same advisor also delved into the value of asset-backed versus traditional senior lending-focused private credit, noting the former’s resilience in turbulent markets. They further explored how inflows impact Business Development Company (BDC) structures, a timely topic given the $1.2 trillion in private credit assets under management globally as of mid-2025.
Another wealth manager emphasized the value of exploring diverse alternative strategies in one setting, which helped them conceptualize balanced private portfolios. They highlighted the complementary nature of Keystone Capital’s equipment financing and Pender Capital’s real estate bridge loans, noting that domestic strategies seemed insulated from political noise—a sentiment that aligns with recent data showing steady private market performance despite election-driven uncertainty. This perspective underscores the appeal of alternatives as a hedge against public market swings.
With policy-driven uncertainty dominating headlines, including debates over tax policy and energy regulations, one RIA stressed the appeal of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) and private credit as safe havens. They were particularly impressed by the sophistication and agility of smaller funds, which have rapidly adapted to capitalize on niche opportunities. This observation tracks with industry trends, as smaller funds have grown assets by 15% year-over-year, outpacing larger peers in flexibility, according to a recent Preqin report.
Shifting to broader market themes, another advisor focused on energy transition and deglobalization, reflecting the $4 trillion in global investments flowing into green energy and supply chain reshoring. They were intrigued by Keystone’s niche equipment financing opportunities, such as construction machinery engines, and Redbrick’s comments on limited competition in the DC-area Opportunity Zone market. The lower risk profile of Pender Capital’s strategy stood out as a differentiator, prompting discussions about potential dedicated equipment financing sleeves for client portfolios.
Finally, one RIA zeroed in on the implications of trade and tariffs on global equity strategies, a pressing concern as recent U.S. tariff proposals have sparked volatility in international markets, with the MSCI World Index dipping 2% in May 2025. They were surprised by Pender’s insights into the supply/demand dynamics of real estate bridge loans, Redbrick’s Opportunity Zone expertise, and Keystone’s economics of asset-based versus entity loans. A key table discussion on asset/liability matching for Pender’s strategy sparked ideas about real estate as a counterbalance to traditional equity investments.
These discussions, fueled by great food and even better company, showcased the power of peer-to-peer learning. Our Salon Dinners not only connect RIAs with local talent but also spark actionable ideas that resonate with today’s dynamic markets.
If you’re an RIA who wants to join an Investment Strategy Salon Dinner near you, or a fund manager looking to be featured at our next event please visit Asset Allocator Institute and send us a note!
