The 2014 NAPA 401(k) Summit will be a seminal event for a number of reasons, including the fact that it will be the first time that the Summit, launched by ASPPA, will be branded exclusively as a NAPA event. As advisors and event sponsors grow weary of the many industry events — with some indicating that they plan to cut back on attending them — NAPA’s 401(k) Summit is becoming more of an industry convention than a conference, bringing together the organization’s members to discuss the critical issues affecting advisor sold, employer sponsored retirement plans.
While the focus of many plenary sessions will be on what’s happening in Washington and how we as an industry can push our agenda forward, unlike any other industry event, most of the agenda was selected by polling advisors via NAPA Net (remember our polling tool from last summer?), not by the providers sponsoring the program.
Also new to the Summit in 2014 is the launch of “wrap-around” meetings that will provide opportunities for NAPA Firm Partner broker dealers and their advisors to meet in New Orleans a day early — on March 22 — for a pre-conference meeting, with content focused on their firm as well as content from provider partners. This year, Commonwealth Financial Network, LPL Financial, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Advisors have committed to pre-conference meetings — dubbed “Due Diligence Now!” — starting midday March 22 and ending midday March 23, just before the Summit begins.
With so many plan advisors expected at the Summit, Due Diligence Now! is a convenient way for them to meet with members of their firms as well as hear from partners, thus minimizing travel. For more information about these wrap-around meetings, view this new NAPA Network video from Sheri Fitts of ShoeFitts Marketing, who is coordinating the program for NAPA — or contact her at [email protected] or 503.319.0543.
And, of course, don’t forget to register for the 2014 401(k) Summit to be held in New Orleans March 23-25.
