On January 27 and 28, 2011, DealFlow Media hosted The Activist Investor Conference 2011 in New York City.  Among the key topics discussed during the conference were: the key strategies and objectives of activist investors; how activists deal with being the lone dissident on a board of directors; whether and when to seek reimbursement for the costs of proxy contests; when to solicit retail investors for support in a proxy contest; how to contact objecting and non-objecting beneficial owners; and what budding activists should know about getting started.  This article offers a comprehensive summary of the key points raised and discussed at the conference, and relays insights from Frank LaGrange Johnson, Philip Goldstein and others.