Q&A with the ASCEND Conference Director
This year’s
ASCEND Conference
(formerly known as FPA of Minnesota Symposium) will be held November 2-3 in Minneapolis. Learn more in our Q&A with the ASCEND Conference Committee Director,
Jeff Drayton
.
Why did the FPA MN change the name of the Symposium to ASCEND?
We didn’t feel that “Symposium” accurately reflects what our conference has grown to be. Symposium is academic and, although that captures the great professional development opportunities, our conference is quite a bit more than that. ASCEND is an opportunity to connect and network with other professionals in our field, meet conference partners, and see the latest strategies, tools and products. Most importantly, ASCEND is an opportunity to elevate yourself as a financial professional.
What will be different about this year’s conference?
We are bringing in exciting new speakers, as well as welcoming back some of the most popular speakers from past years. We have also moved to a new, larger ballroom within the Minneapolis Convention Center. We outgrew our old space and will now have our main stage in Ballroom A, right by the Convention Center main entrance.
Given COVID-19, what is the refund policy for this year’s conference?
We are watching this situation very closely. If it is needed, we’re prepared to cancel ASCEND and will provide full refunds to attendees. Our conference committee is also discussing contingency plans should the conference need to become virtual. That being said, we fully expect for this year’s conference to go forward as planned. We believe that social distancing will still be a part of our lives in November and so we are grateful for our expanded new space this year.
Why should I attend the ASCEND Conference this November?