VRIC 2018, Day 1: Notes from the Floor

The first day of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) 2018 just wrapped up, and for the Investing News Network it was a busy one.
There was no shortage of industry experts and company CEOs to talk to, and of course there were plenty of presentations and panels to take in as well.
Here’s an overview of some of the day’s highlights — while cryptocurrencies and cannabis stole the show at times, commodities like gold and uranium also drew interest. Be sure to follow @INN_Resource for on-the-go updates.
The first panel of the day featured Rick Rule of Sprott US Holdings; Frank Holmes of US Global Investors (NASDAQ:GROW); and Marin Katusa of Katusa Research. All three well-known commentators shared their favorite stock picks of the year with the audience.

Packed 8:30am presentation at #VRIC18 featuring @bulldogholmes, @RealRickRule and @MarinKatusa: pic.twitter.com/eLZdVtBDOu

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Another standing-room-only morning presentation came from Holmes, who talked about his journey with cryptocurrencies. Holmes, who is also chairman of HIVE Blockchain Technologies (TSXV:HIVE), discussed how he started to look into the space, and blockchain technology in particular.

.@bulldogholmes: ICOs are growing rapidly – they aren’t hurting #gold, but they are hurting microcap funding #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

VRIC was busy throughout the day, with over 8,000 attendees, including investors, exhibitors, businesses and thought leaders.

Sentiment has turned!#VRIC18 pic.twitter.com/H4i3sE5iwr

— InvestingNewsNetwork (@DigMedia) January 21, 2018

The Investing News Network was busy conducting video interviews at booth 101. Sunday’s interviewees included: Doug Casey of Casey Research; Gold Newsletter editor Brien Lundin; Gianni Kovacevic of Copperbank Resources (CSE:CBK); Jeffrey Christian of CPM Group; and James Black of the CSE. Interviews will be posted over the next week or so, so stay tuned!

Jeffrey Christian of @CPMGroupLLC now at our booth at #VRIC18 – video to come! pic.twitter.com/JpHm0uUyks

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Some keynote presentations in the morning came from Mercenary Geologist Mickey Fulp; Frank Curzio of Curzio Research; Peter Spina of Goldseek.com; David Morgan of the Morgan Report; and Adrian Day of Adrian Day Asset Management, among others.

.@FrankCurzio recommends Nvidia as a cryptocurrency stock but notes that it’s an emerging industry and investors should be sure to do their homework. #VRIC2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Stock picks from @mercenarygeo – Trilogy Metals, @IntegraResource, @allegiantgold and Eagle Plains Resources #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Later in the day, uranium took center stage at a panel moderated by Mike Alkin of the Stock Catalyst Report.

#Uranium is a hot topic at #VRIC18 – checking out this afternoon’s panel with @FissionUranium, @Skyharbour_SYH, @UraniumEnergy and GoviEx Uranium pic.twitter.com/f5p4QsMXsy

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

It’s a question of when, not if, for #uranium, says Dev Randhawa #VRIC18 @FissionUranium @Fission3Corp

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Betting against #uranium is like making a bet against global population growth, says Amir Adnani of @UraniumEnergy – use this period to buy stocks that fit your portfolio #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

In the afternoon, Katusa moderated a Q&A that featured Casey and Rule.

Standing room only at this afternoon’s Q&A with @RealRickRule and Doug Casey, moderated by @MarinKatusa #VRIC18 pic.twitter.com/cUCwv8z34h

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

This is a good time to get into metals for many reasons, says Doug Casey; there’s also a huge amount of interest in #cannabis, and he believes the market will get bigger #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

#Gold stocks are the best place for equities investors to be right now, says Rick Rule – they will surprise to the upside because expectations are low #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 21, 2018

Peter Schiff of EuroPacific Capital also gave an afternoon presentation about the US economy, presenting to a full house.

.@PeterSchiff shares his thoughts on the US economy with a full house at #VRIC18 pic.twitter.com/CjKvRoH1OZ

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 22, 2018

The final presentation of the day was billed as as the “ultimate gold panel,” and was moderated by Daniela Cambone of Kitco; it featured Rule, along with Peter Hug, global trading director at Kitco, and well-known author James Rickards. They discussed everything investors needs to know about gold this year, from whether we’ve reached peak gold to how prices will perform in 2018.

The Ultimate #Gold Panel at #VRIC18 featuring @RealRickRule, @JamesGRickards and Peter Hug, with moderator @DanielaCambone pic.twitter.com/7VJwPkCnp9

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 22, 2018

.@JamesGRickards says we’re at the beginning of the third greatest bull market of his lifetime – #gold could reach $1,400 this year #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 22, 2018

Will new Fed chair Jerome Powell impact the #gold price? Rick Rule says it’s unlikely; Peter Hug says he’s similar to Janet Yellen and will go with the tide #VRIC18

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) January 22, 2018

The day wrapped up with the induction of Joe Martin, chairman of Cambridge House International, into the Resource Hall of Fame, the fourth recipient of the honor. The first three were Ross Beaty of Pan American Silver (TSX:PAA,NASDAQ:PAAS) and Alterra Power (TSX:AXY); David Elliott, vice president and director of Haywood Securities; and Casey.
Don’t forget to follow us at @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Priscila Barrera, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.