Hedge fund managers do not belong to unions. Some join professional associations that host networking events and conferences, offer continuing education opportunities, publish journals and white papers, and provide job listings at their Web sites. The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) is a membership organization for hedge fund managers, service providers, and others in the hedge fund industry. It hosts an annual conference, provides professional development opportunities, and publishes AIMA Journal.
Several organizations seek to increase the number of women in the hedge fund industry (only about 2.2 hedge fund firms are operated by women, according to Pensions & Investments). 100 Women in Finance holds monthly educational events in New York and London and regularly in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and Fairfield County (Connecticut), as well as in cities in foreign countries. Members can access job listings at the organization’s Web site. The Association of Women in Alternative Investing is a membership organization that hosts roundtables and other educational and networking events on career development, developing a strong workplace presence, and other topics.
The Managed Funds Association represents the professional interests of hedge fund and managed futures firms. It offers educational opportunities, networking events, and business development conferences. The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors, Association for Financial Professionals, CFA Institute, Chartered Alternate Investment Analyst Association, Investments and Wealth Institute, and CMT Association provide certification and other resources. Other noteworthy organizations include the Association of Asian American Investment Managers, Financial Executives International, International Association for Quantitative Finance, New York Alternative Investment Roundtable, and CFA Society New York.