* Gregory Zerzan, who joined the trade association last week in the new role of counsel and head of global public policy, threw a thought into the leftfield which triggered some lively break-time conversation. "Some of you may be shocked to hear that here in Singapore talking about derivatives we are actually talking about the betterment of humanity," he said. Over coffee, delegates pondered just how seriously Zerzan was taking his new job.
* Do it like you mean it. In a rather unlawyerly tone, Edward Murray, partner at Allen & Overy, bemoaned the fact the U.K. Takeover Panel barely took notice of ISDA's input on disclosure requirements. "They were only really consulting because they were required to for their own rules." His lawyer hat was only temporarily misplaced, as he quickly asked, "Was that controversial?"
* Bob Pickel, ISDA ceo, was interrupted by a chirping sound from the back of the room. As the whole hall turned round, a bird flew center stage and during the next speech made by Teo Swee Lian, deputy managing director at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, it continued to flit around the room. With some delegates' heads following the bird like a tennis ball in play, Teo did an admirable job of maintaining others' attention. The bird failed to reappear after lunch, leading some delegates to wonder whether it really was chicken they had just eaten.
* Brokers and party animals ICAP, annual organizers of ISDA's biggest knees up, were caught short by the opening of Singapore's Ministry Of Sound in December. Local taxi drivers were keen to inform delegates it was the Lion City's top venue--sadly, ICAP didn't get the news on time and this year and were left hosting a party at the city's now second-best venue, Phuture at ZOUK.
