Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. has assembled an impressive list of over 70 companies for its 9th Annual Consumer, Gaming, Lodging & Leisure Conference. The event, considered one of the leading investor conferences for consumer companies, will be held in Boston on July 14^th – 15^th at the Four Seasons Hotel.

The consumer sector continues to be a core focus for investors. Despite the challenges this sector has experienced, there have been some strong stock performances over the first half of the year. The conference will provide a valuable mid-year opportunity to assess the state of the consumer, and what that means for the stocks in the second half of the year. Investors attending will have a chance to talk to companies across the entire consumer spectrum, including retail, restaurant, hardline, consumer products, gaming, lodging and leisure.

In addition to executive presentations to investors and analysts, the conference features keynote speakers Marshal Cohen and Brian G. Belski.

• Marshal Cohen is Chief Industry Analyst from the NPD Group and author of Why Customers Do What They Do. Cohen is one of the foremost authorities on consumer behavior, having followed retail trends for more than 30 years. He will be presenting on Tuesday, July 14^th at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
• Brian G. Belski is Managing Director, Chief Investment Strategist and leader of the Investment Strategy group at Oppenheimer, providing strategic investment and portfolio management advice to both institutional and private clients. Brian’s group produces several investment strategy and portfolio management publications on a regular basis. He will be presenting on Wednesday, July 15^th at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Companies currently confirmed to present include (list subject to change):

• 1-800-Flowers (FLWS)
• AFC Enterprise (AFCE)
• Ameristar Casinos (ASCA)
• Bally Technologies (BYI)
• Best Buy (BBY)
• BJ’s Restaurant (BJRI)
• BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc.