LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference

event overview

The LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference brings together distinguished finance scholars from across the country to share their groundbreaking research and expertise. Designed as an idea-sharing forum, the conference highlights the latest advances in finance, from retail trading to human capital and financial modeling. It provides a unique opportunity for researchers to network, exchange ideas, and gain new insights.

The conference is scheduled around the lively Mardi Gras season, offering attendees a chance to experience Louisiana’s most famous festival. Take advantage of this time to immerse yourself in the culture, parades, and celebrations that make Mardi Gras a unique and unforgettable experience.

Join us for an inspiring day of presentations, discussions, and a keynote address by Lauren Cohen, L.E. Simmons Professor at the Harvard Business School, all dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration in finance research.

 

Details & Registration

Date & Time

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Check-in opens from 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. 
Sessions run from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lunch will be provided to attendees. 

Location

The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU
3848 W Lakeshore Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Need help finding your way around the LSU campus? Visit the interactive map here.

Registration

Registration has closed! Thank you for your interest.

 

Additional Information

Lodging

Dedicated room blocks will be available at the Lod Cook Hotel and Conference Center, where the conference will be held.

The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU
3848 W Lakeshore Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 383-2665

Use the button below to reserve a room.

Hotel block reservations are not available yet. Check back again soon!

RESERVE HOTEL ROOM

Travel

For conference attendees flying into Louisiana, there are convenient options for reaching Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR)

The most direct option is Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), located just 15 minutes from the city center. BTR offers daily flights from major U.S. hubs like Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta, making it easy to connect from other parts of the country. Once you arrive, taxis, rideshares, and rental cars are available at the airport for a quick trip to your hotel or the conference venue.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

Another option is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), located about an hour's drive from Baton Rouge. MSY has a wider range of direct flights and international connections. If you fly into MSY, you can take a shuttle, rent a car, or use a rideshare service for a scenic drive along Interstate 10 to Baton Rouge. This route also offers the chance to explore more of Louisiana’s landscape on your way to the conference.

Ground Transportation

Both airports offer convenient options for reaching Baton Rouge, with car rentals, shuttles, and rideshares available at each location. We recommend booking your transportation in advance, especially during Mardi Gras season, when travel demand is higher.

SESSIONS SPEAKERS

Registration
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.

N/A

Opening Remarks
8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

N/A

Session 1
8:40 - 10:20 a.m.

Retail Trading
Session Chair: Gary Sanger, Louisiana State University

“An Anatomy of Retail Option Trading”
Presenter: Dmitriy Muravyev, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Discussant: Marina Niessner, Indiana University

“Difficulties in Obtaining a Representative Sample of Retail Trades from Public Data Sources”
Presenter: Rob Battalio, University of Notre Dame
Discussant: Thomas Ernst, University of Maryland

Coffee Break
10:20 - 10:40 a.m.

N/A

Session 2
10:40 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Human Capital in Finance
Session Chair: Wei-Ling Song, Louisiana State University

“Big Data and Bigger Firms:  A Labor Market Channel”
Presenter: Elena Siminitzi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Discussant: Bryan Seegmiller,Northwestern University

“The Impact of a Principles-Based Approach to Director Gender Diversity”
Presenter: Laura Field, University of Delaware
Discussant: Kathleen Kahle, University of Arizona

Luncheon and Keynote Address
12:20 - 2:00 p.m.

Lauren Cohen, Harvard Business School

Session 3
2:20 - 4:00 p.m.

Financial Modeling and Simulation
Session Chair: Don Chance, Louisiana State University

“Complexity in a Simple Environment:  Monte Carlo Analysis of Factor Models”
Presenter: Kerry Back, Rice University
Discussant: Seth Pruitt, Arizona State University

“Modeling Managers as EPS Maximizers”
Presenter: Itzhak (Zahi) Ben-David, The Ohio State University
Discussant: Joshua T. White, Vanderbilt University and PCAOB

Louisiana’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes offer countless experiences for visitors—and with our conference taking place just before Mardi Gras, this is the perfect time to extend your stay and immerse yourself in the spirit of Louisiana!

Consider staying for Mardi Gras over the weekend! Baton Rouge and New Orleans are alive with Mardi Gras festivities. From colorful parades and live jazz to authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine, the Mardi Gras season is an unforgettable experience steeped in history and local tradition. Learn more about Mardi Gras.

Highlights from 2025

  • A man presenting in front of a projector screen at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Two people posed for a picture at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A man presenting in front of a projector screen at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Two people talking to each other at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A man standing by a projector presenting at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A woman presenting in front of a projector screen at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Two men talking to each other at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A man standing by a projector presenting to a group of people at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • People sitting and talking on a party bus during the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Two people sitting down talking to each other at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Two people talking to each other at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • People sitting and talking on a party bus during the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A woman presenting in front of a group of people at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A woman presenting in front of a projector screen at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A man standing at a podium speaking at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • A group of people sat watching a presentation.
  • A woman standing at a podium speaking at the A man standing in front of a podium speaking at the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.
  • Group picture of LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference participants.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact Joanna Canezaro or Wei-Ling Song for more information about the LSU Finance Mardi Gras Conference.