Conference to feature economic update by CIBC Chief Economist, Avery Shenfeld

VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) will host its 15th and largest annual Whistler Institutional Investor Conference January 18 - 20, 2012.

Scheduled to present are executives from more than 100 prominent North American companies, from several key industry sectors including: including chemicals and fertilizers, communications and media, precious and base metals and minerals, oil and gas, paper and forest products, pipelines and utilities, infrastructure, steel and industrial products, technology, transportation, industrials, retail and clean energy.

Presenters will individually speak to their business and growth strategies and through panel discussions their thoughts on the future directions of their sectors.

Keynote luncheon speaker on the second day of the conference is Avery Shenfeld, Chief Economist at CIBC. Mr. Shenfeld will share his latest forecast for the Canadian and global economies and discuss the impact on today's investment environment.

More information on the conference, including an agenda and a list of presenting companies, can be found at: http://conferences.cibcwm.com/login.asp?cid=WHISTLER2012 (password: CIBC12).

Important Note About Media Attendance:

This event is by invitation only. Media and the public are invited to listen to the corporate presentations via audio cast. A link will be provided at the above website on the day of the conference. CIBC research analysts will be available for telephone interviews before, during and after the conference. To request an interview, please email Erin Truax at Erin.Truax@cibc.com

CIBC's wholesale banking business provides a range of integrated credit and capital markets products, investment banking, and merchant banking to clients in key financial markets in North America and around the world. We provide innovative capital solutions and advisory expertise across a wide range of industries as well as top-ranked research for our corporate, government and institutional clients.