Our chapter’s signature event, the ASCEND Conference, is gearing up!

For decades, the ASCEND Conference (formerly the Symposium) has helped financial planning professionals learn from recognized leaders and rise in their careers. In Michael Kitces’s 2022-2023 master list of financial advisor conferences, the FPA of MN ASCEND Conference receives recognition as a “Top 20 Conference.”

Now is the time to take advantage of reduced conference pricing. Join nationally recognized financial leaders and earn up to 13 hours of CE credits, network with top professionals, and be inspired by some of the industry’s brightest, including Meghaan Lurtz, Tyrone Ross, Jay Mooreland, Susan Tornbull and more. With clients relying on us more than ever, it’s comforting to know that there are experts to provide guidance.

For specific 2022 ASCEND Conference information, go to summary, agenda, speakers, cost and partners. For a scholarship application click here. FPA MN also has available non-member pricing and non-member group conference pricing.

This year’s ASCEND Conference features over twenty accomplished speakers – including Tyrone Ross, president and founder of 401 Financial and the CEO and co-founder of Turnqey Labs, Inc. As one of Barron’s ten people to watch in wealth management in 2022, he is recognized as a leading financial consultant, speaker and start-up advisor.

During his ASCEND Conference keynote address, Ross will dive into the rapidly changing landscape of cryptocurrency investing, advising and navigating risk. His presentation covers cryptocurrency differences, valuation methodologies and integration of cryptocurrency into your clients' financial plans.

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Tuesday, Aug. 16, 12-1:15 p.m. 

Divorce rates are on the rise for Americans aged 50 and older. Are you able to protect your clients if there’s an impending marital split?

Our August educational lunch n’ learn features two top financial experts who focus on divorce and its impacts. Carol Lee Roberts, president of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA™), and Cathy Seeber, vice president and financial advisor at CAPTRUST, will explain how you can help clients from post-divorce to re-partnering.

This powerful presentation will cover ways to:

·      Recognize common pitfalls unique to senior divorce,

·      Develop creative solutions to financial impacts, and

·      Learn communication tools that assist clients in the post-divorce stage.

Learn more and register for August's virtual lunch n' learn. Sponsored by the IDFA.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee requests your recommendations. As a newly formed committee, its members would like your input on the direction of the group's efforts.

Please join the DEI Committee's Breakfast Social on Tuesday, Aug. 30, to provide topic and speaker suggestions, challenges, and expectations. Your ideas will be used to make our chapter, business and industry more inclusive.

Register here for the DEI Breakfast Social. If you cannot attend the breakfast, please email the DEI Committee with any suggestions.

Are you a CFP® professional who wants to use your time and expertise to give back to Minnesotans in need? Our chapter is looking for volunteers to teach an educational session or host and shadow one-on-one pro bono consultations with the public during MN Financial Planning Days on Oct. 1 and Oct. 4-6, 2022.

In-person consultations will be held at the Wilder Center in Saint Paul on Saturday, Oct. 1. Financial education workshops will also take place that day, and students and career changers have the opportunity to be paired with CFP® volunteers to shadow consultations throughout the week.

We need your help to make this important community event possible! If you are a CFP® professional and would like to volunteer your time and expertise, or if you’re a student or career changer, please send us a message to express your interest. In addition, we ask that all volunteers complete FPA's free Pro Bono Financial Planning Training Course before the event. Upon course completion, members receive one CFP® CE credit.

Please contact FPA MN's volunteer coordinator with questions or to request additional information. Share your expertise!

Do you work with clients that have dementia?

As reported by the CDC, approximately 5.6 million people aged 65 and older in the United States and about 200,000 under 65 have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. By 2060, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is predicted to rise to an estimated 14 million. To address the needs of this growing population and their family members, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP) national ACG Conference includes a research panel discussion about better understanding dementia's impact on our industry.

This University of Minnesota Duluth panel is currently seeking an FPA MN member that has experience working with clients showing signs of dementia. You'll be asked to discuss recognition of symptoms, how to address dementia with the client and their family, and relationship continuation.

If this opportunity interests you, please contact FPA MN President Elect Bruce Lorenz for more details. For information about the panel members, contact UMD Senior Development Officer Robert P. Hofmann.

FPA MN has partnered on a new research study to uncover which mindsets help our members overcome industry disruption and improve work performance.

Participants will:

This anonymous survey is open for a limited time and takes only 10-15 minutes to complete. Please join this important study today.

Researcher Andy Core is finishing his Ph.D. under the direction of Professor Pamela Van Dyke, College of Doctoral Studies in Psychology.

Do you know a college student or career changer interested in pursuing financial planning as a profession?

The Career Development Committee and FPA MN are offering full or reduced rate scholarships to attend the 2022 ASCEND Conference. Each recipient’s resume will be included in conference materials.