The market for alternative investments continues to gain traction among investors, providing valuable asset classes and vehicles to help them create a truly diversified portfolio. But given that the economic landscape and regulatory environment constantly changes, the burden on the professionals in this industry to stay up to date on the latest news, best practices, and techniques becomes tremendously rigorous.

CHICAGO—1031 exchanges are popular among investors, but might not be well-understood by members of Congress, and recent proposals to limit the exchanges has worried many that Washington will cut a deal on the issue before experts get a chance to weigh in. But the Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association, formerly known as REISA, expects more than 500 industry professionals to attend its Spring Symposium next week at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, and will start spreading the word about the possible changes to 1031 exchanges, among other key issues.