It was an arms race of high profile networking,..call it hobnobbing with benefits.

Mutual fund executives, lawyers, accountants and other service providers hobnobbed and made deals while socializing at the palatial JW Marriott Desert Palm in Palm Desert, California.

The event featured no booths, so participants worked to outdo each other by way of their parties and shindigs.

For example, on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Funds Industry Association hosted an event that featured fresh shrimp, oysters and crab legs as well as assorted green trinkets, including Irish pins and giant Leprechaun hats. One organizer had noted the difficulty of hiring a Irish band for St. Patrick's Day. He said that if you want a band for next year's holiday probably means you need to book one now.

At least two events hosted at one ballroom featured a cigar roller. Both of these functions featured backyards filled with executives wafting in robust and mellow smoke.

Another party featured over a dozen desserts from around the world. Another offered about as many designer cocktails. At yet a third event, revelers sampled wines from around the world.

There was sushi, seafood tacos, steaks, upscale hamburgers and chicken and pork sliders. There were ice cream sundae stations, armies of rare and stinky cheese, a plethora of chocolate and designer cakes and cookies.

In a vain attempt to burn off at least some of these calories, a number of participants hosted charity runs, 50 mile bike rides in the desert, a variety of hikes as well as more golf than you could shake a club at.

The satellite parties could be found everywhere, near pools, in ballrooms, near putting greens and on graceful verandas.

The belle of the ball, without question, was the PwC event Tuesday night. Held in a giant circus-like tent structure that would look good in a celebrity wedding, hundreds of revellers danced to a Billy Joel cover band, and ate lobster bisque pot pies, filet mignon, gourmet mac and cheese (lobster, shrimp and bacon anyone?) and a variety of baked delights.

Partygoers did all of this framed by stunning Coachella mountains.  

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