Ask anyone in the investment profession who has most influenced the industry, and the usual suspects will surface again and again: Templeton, Buffett, Neff, Bernstein, Bogle, Brinson, and LeBaron.

These distinguished gentlemen have gained worldwide fame for their uncanny wisdom in navigating the tumultuous waters of investing. Among their accolades: each has been awarded AIMR's highest honor: the Award for Professional Excellence—established in 1991 to recognize the crème de la crème of the profession.

For the first time since receiving their awards, these gurus came together in early November 2002 to share their more than 300 years of collective experience. This article is an exclusive account of what they had to say.