DENVER (June 11, 2021) — The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the largest professional membership organization for financial planners, is pleased to announce that it will officially resume in-person conferences this fall with the FPA Annual Conference 2021. To be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, September 22-24, the FPA Annual Conference will be the Association's first major in-person event since the start of the pandemic.
Over the past 15 months, FPA focused on supporting members and delivering content digitally, including last year’s Annual Conference. However, while the content continued to help financial planners elevate their competencies, the spirit of community that is commonly found at in-person events was absent. This year, FPA is focused on bringing back that unique sense of community central to the FPA experience before the pandemic, beginning with the FPA Annual Conference this September.
“The financial planning community adjusted well to the realities of Covid-19 by quickly modifying business practices to fulfill their obligations and continue to serve clients. The same can be said of how our Association adapted to continue to serve the needs of our members throughout the pandemic,” says Patrick D. Mahoney, FPA chief executive officer. “Now is the time to reconnect as a community where our members can talk, share, and grow with each other. I can think of no better opportunity to rekindle that sense of community than at the Annual Conference in Columbus.”
While the FPA Annual Conference typically attracts nearly 2,000 attendees each year, the Association is intentionally planning for a smaller audience this year due to exercising continued caution and because a portion of the planning community is not yet ready to resume travel. However, for those who decide to attend the conference, FPA—working in collaboration with the Greater Columbus Convention Center, which achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation—will install additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the convention center, provide PPE kits, and encourage attendees to follow state and local guidelines in Ohio.
The full conference schedule is now being constructed. As in years past, the agenda will focus on sharing practical strategies, tactics, and cutting-edge thinking, with plenty of CE credits available. In addition, the event will feature three keynote sessions, stimulating breakout sessions, interactive panel discussions, and some of the best networking available in the profession. The event is also being developed with an eye on diversity by creating a supportive, welcoming environment where all members are represented and welcome.
As the 14th largest city in the U.S., Columbus will serve as the perfect host city for rekindling that community spirit. Celebrated for its arts, entertainment, fashion, and culinary offerings, exciting collegiate and professional sports teams, and spectacular sprawling green space on the Scioto Mile downtown riverfront, Columbus has something for everyone.
“Our team is hard at work developing an event that is needed now more than ever. I cannot wait to welcome our members in Columbus and join with them in the spirit of community that is so important to the FPA experience,” added Mahoney.
Registration is now open with a special early bird rate of $799 for FPA members and $999 for nonmembers. Early bird registration closes July 9 when rates increase to $949 (member) and $1,149 (nonmember).
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About the Financial Planning Association
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals, educators, financial services professionals and students who are committed to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. With a focus on the practice, business and profession of financial planning, FPA advances financial planning practitioners through every phase of their careers, from novice to master to leader of the profession. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation.