50
When Kriszti asked me if I would like to contribute to
the AFM 20th anniversary publication I was extremely
flattered. Goose pimples appeared and my heart
immediately filled with warmth. Why? I will try to explain.
The first time I became involved with AFM was at the May
2005 annual conference. Conference was in Bucharest that
year, and I sat on a panel representing Eurex and speaking
about the right products that a market needs – a topic
equally important for emerging as for mature markets.
It was special because I was not only representing Eurex
at an international conference for the first time. I was also
speaking in Bucharest, Romania where I was born. Years
previously, when I started working for Eurex, I had never
imagined returning, in my professional life, to Bucharest
and liaising with developed and emerging exchange
worlds. And this, only a stone’s throw from where I went
to school.
I first met Kriszti Kasza who then introduced me to Paul
Meier. They invited me to also join AFM´s Emerging
Market Forum at SFOA Bürgenstock Meeting. I jumped
at the chance and since that moment became part of a
fabulous community, enduring professional collaboration
and fine friendship. No matter where AFM hosted events
– in Asia, Europe or South America – I always returned
home enriched culturally, intellectually and professionally,
having gained so much from the experience and ideas of
other AFM colleagues and hopeful that I had been able to
contribute in return.
The various AFM topics – trading, clearing, regulation,
business development, IT – and the approach of
exchanging ideas and joint elaboration with industry
representatives from emerging and mature markets was
AFM´s unique asset. To this day, in professional discussion
(also with my husband) a quote, idea or point raised in
an AFM forum is often referenced and analysed once
again. The passing of time underlines the fundamental
relevance of those AFM discussions. I understand many
of the ideas in a different way today than I did then.
And we never had enough. After conference we continued
to discuss during city tours and glittery evening events
and built personal bridges between developed and
emerging markets long into the night.
Through involvement with AFM I have been very fortunate
to have been introduced to an open community of
outstanding market professionals. I have benefited
immensely from this, not only professionally, and look
forward to many further years of fruitful, stimulating and
fun collaboration with the AFM trademark professional
spirit and ethic.
Simona Simon
Senior Vice President, Eurex Sales
Eurex Frankfurt AG
My AFM experience
– by Simona Simon
