Financial advisors will hear from Charles Schwab executives and strategists and delve into an array of industry trends, including artificial intelligence’s role in serving clients, at the company’s Impact 2025 Conference in Denver on Nov. 4-6.
Conference attendees also will have the chance to attend a closing night performance from Grammy Award-winning country singer Keith Urban at the Mission Ballroom.
The conference is expected to draw thousands of independent registered investment advisors to the Colorado Convention Center for keynote speakers, educational sessions presented by industry leaders, and networking opportunities.
Roughly 4,700 attendees are expected, including 2,500 RIAs, more than 100 students and faculty from over 20 schools, plus exhibitors and Schwab employees, according to the company.
“With more opportunities than ever for learning, connection, and collaboration, it is a testament to how far this industry has come, and we are looking forward to being together and celebrating the strength and future of independence,” Jonathan Beatty, Schwab Advisor Services head, told ThinkAdvisor through a spokesperson.
After a welcome the first day from Beatty, participants will hear the firm’s strategic forecast, including portfolio and policy issues, from a panel including Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders and Chief Fixed Income Strategist Kathy Jones.
Schwab President and CEO Rick Wurster joins Beatty for a keynote conversation the following day, moderated by Jalina Kerr, advisor services managing director.
Educational sessions include discussions on technology, portfolio construction, client services and practice management.
One session — “The Death of the 60/40 Glidepath – and Crypto’s New Role in its Replacement” — will be led by Ric Edelman, Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals founder, and Ken Dychtwald, Age Wave founder and CEO and psychologist, gerontologist and author.
With Joe Vietri, Schwab’s digital assets chief, they plan to discuss how “unprecedented longevity” requires major change to retirement planning and investment management strategies for clients.
“You’ll discover why the 60/40 glidepath is obsolete, how to replace it, and why crypto must be added as a key element for the diversified portfolios of the future,” Schwab’s blurb about the session, which will include Q&A, says.
At another educational session, Composition Wealth CEO Nate Angelo plans to discuss how performance alone usually doesn’t build client loyalty, sharing “how shifting focus from numbers to narratives creates deeper client connections that withstand market volatility.”
Angelo offers conversational techniques to uncover client motivations beyond their financial goals, among other relationship-building steps. “Stop chasing benchmarks when client stories offer the real pathway to drive growth, generate referrals, and reduce fee sensitivity,” the session description says.
Another session, led by Corgenius CEO Amy Florian, explores how to prepare for clients’ aging, illness and death to protect them and the firm.
Several sessions will look at AI and other technology tools. In another, an expert panel will update advisors on the latest compliance issues, including Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and Securities and Exchange Commission rulemaking developments potentially affecting RIAs, including anti-money laundering rules.
Beyond nuts-and-bolts educational sessions, including those that offer continuing education credits, several authors will make keynote speeches on more general human-interest topics. Leadership expert and self-described optimist Simon Sinek will touch on “patterns on how people think, act, and communicate as well as the environments in which people operate at their natural best.”
Social scientist Kasley Killam is set to talk about how “social health” is the next frontier after physical and mental health. Restaurateur and entrepreneur Will Guidara plans to discuss business transformation through “over-the-top, bespoke hospitality,” Schwab says. And author Greg McKeown will present on pursuing only that which is essential.
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