The Investment Funds Institute of Canada’s 18the annual conference kicks off today in Toronto. Compliance concerns are expected to boost attendance at the three-day conference this year.

Last week, the Ontario Securities Commission said four mutual fund companies may face enforcement proceedings for allegedly allowing market timing trading is some of their funds.

“The Conference theme – Leading Issues, Trends, Perspectives – aptly describes what our event is all about,” said Tom Hockin, IFIC president and CEO, a release. “In recent months, there has been a great deal of attention placed on the issues facing our industry – such a single national regulator, investor protection, and soft equity markets – but it is equally important to have an objective perspective on the good work the mutual fund industry has continued to do to respond to these trends and ensure that the investors are protected.”

IFIC’s Annual Meeting will commence today at 16:30 ET. Members are invited to attend this meeting which will be held in Room 802 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (level 800).

Registered conference delegates can pick up their conference materials before attending the Annual Meeting and then join their fellow colleagues in the Exhibit Hall from 17:00 ET until 18:30 ET. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will also be served.

On Wednesday, the Exhibit Hall will open at 8:00 ET and will remain open throughout the conference.

Conference sessions will focus on issues such as fund governance, clarity of responsibilities in client relationships, as well as transparency around costs and compensation.

Wednesday features keynote speakers Kit Grant and David Frum. Grant is a psychologist by training and a highly animated and energetic presenter. Offering pithy and sometimes hilarious psychology around human behaviour as it relates to customer service and sales, Grant’s objective is to help build interpersonal skills, primarily in the areas of sales and customer service delivery

David Frum was special assistant to U.S. President Bush for economic speechwriting from January 2001 to February 2002. Born in Toronto, Frum is listed as one of the 100 most influential minds in the United States.

On Thursday, the keynote speakers are Andrew Pyle and Mike Mandel. Pyle is head of Capital Markets Research (CMR) for Scotia Economics. His experience includes more than 15 years of covering global economic and financial market trends. He provides insight into capital market and economic development.

Mike Mandel is Canada’s premier hypnotist. He brings the benefit of nearly thirty years experience to his Words that Change Minds keynote address.