Attending an RIA conference or convention is an opportunity to grow your professional network and expand your knowledge base. Working as an independent RIA can present some unique challenges and coming together with other advisors can prove valuable if you’re hoping to scale an existing firm or launch a new one. Keeping track of the various RIA conferences happening year-round can help you decide which ones you may want to attend.
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RIA Conference Calendar 2024
RIA conferences take place throughout the year, with some events held one time only and others recurring annually. Here are some of the upcoming conferences you might be interested in attending for the remainder of 2024.
April
- ADISA Conference. The ADISA Conference is an annual event that attracts registered investment advisors and other financial professionals who primarily specialize in non-traded alternative investments. Marketing is a central focus of the conference, which may be helpful to RIAs who are looking for insight into the latest trends or strategies. Check conference dates and registration requirements.
- Uncommon Knowledge National Conference. The Uncommon Knowledge National Conference is a premier event for registered investment advisors who provide active money management services to clients. One of the notable events on this year’s conference schedule is a presentation on using ChatGPT to create a strategic marketing plan. Check conference dates and registration requirements.
May
- Barron’s Advisor Teams Summit. Effective team building can be central to growth and that’s the focus of the Barron’s Advisors Teams Summit. This invitation-only event is designed for advisors who are interested in improving team dynamics to create more favorable client outcomes. Check conference dates and apply.
- DeVoe Elevate. DeVoe Elevate is a growth-focused RIA conference that provides plenty of networking opportunities. Some of this year’s talking points include strategies for creating a referral pipeline, how to build a team that fuels growth and tips for attracting top talent. Check conference dates and register.
- Envestnet Elevate. The Elevate conference brings together RIAs, advisors, enterprises and fintech companies for discussions on the role technology plays in the wealth management space. Some of this year’s agenda highlights include sessions on developing high-net-worth strategies and bridging client acquisition gaps across the generations. Check conference dates and register.
June
- BNY Mellon Pershing INSITE. The INSITE conference spans a multitude of topics, ranging from investments and technology to practice management. Some of the things RIAs attending this year’s event can learn about include NextGen marketing strategies, AI trends and how to build a $5 billion practice. Check conference dates and register.
August
- FPA NexGen Gathering. This event, organized by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) is intended for those who are new to the financial services industry. It’s designed to encourage conversations and networking among newly minted financial professionals and more experienced advisors. Check conference dates and register.
September
- Limitless Lifestyle. Limitless Lifestyle is not an RIA conference in the traditional sense. When you enroll in the program, you’ll be able to participate in four one-day virtual learning summits and have the option to enroll in a two-day retreat. The fall retreat and workshop are located in Denver for 2024. Check conference dates and register.
- Carson Excell. The Carson Group hosts the Carson Excell conference which is a growth-focused event for financial professionals. If you’re looking for actionable tips on how to scale your advisory business along with a chance to earn continuing education credits, you may want to add this event to your calendar. Check conference dates and register.
October
- RIA EDGE West. RIA EDGE West is designed exclusively for RIA executives and allows opportunities to network with more than 250 C-level advisors from some of the fastest-growing firms. The conference features renowned speakers leading sessions on recruitment strategies, organizational design and the biggest trends driving disruption in the RIA space. Check conference dates and register.
- XYPN Live. The XYPN Live conference is all about scaling your RIA firm and leveraging technology to do it. Advisors who attend can learn strategies for streamlining operations to make them more efficient and get a peek at the latest tech innovations. Check conference dates and register.
November
- Schwab IMPACT. Schwab IMPACT is another noteworthy RIA conference to add to your schedule. This event brings together the decision-makers of the RIA industry and offers advisors opportunities to highlight their products and services. Check conference dates and register.
December
- Barron’s Advisor Women Summit. The Barron’s Advisor Women Summit is tailored to women advisors who are working in wealth management. This year’s agenda features discussions on how to grow your practice by leveraging client preferences, nurturing referral strategies to gain new clients and attracting top female talent to your firm. Check conference dates and register.
- The Market Counsel Summit. The Market Counsel Summit caps off the conference year and is attended by some of the top independent investment advisors. Previous events have focused on tactics of high-growth firms and the use of AI to drive return on investment. Check conference dates and request an invitation.
RIA Conference Calendar 2025
A handful of events have already been scheduled for 2025, with more RIA conferences to be announced. Here’s a rundown of the latest upcoming events.
Keep in mind that many of the RIA conferences scheduled for 2024 are annual events and will also have dates scheduled for 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can attending financial advisor conferences earn CE credit?
Yes, though it often depends on which conference you’re attending. Many conferences for financial advisors announce in the event details whether you’ll be able to earn continuing education credits. If a conference offers CE credit, the number of credits you can earn may play a part in deciding whether to attend.
What happens at an RIA conference?
RIA conferences don’t always cover the same material, but the structure is roughly the same. Conferences typically last two to four days, with the first and last days bookending the event. Attendees may have the option to attend workshops or discussion sessions, network with other advisors and cap the conference off by listening to a keynote speech. Meals are usually included in the registration fees, though hotel accommodation may need to be booked separately.
Is it worth attending an RIA conference?
Attending RIA conferences can be worth it if you’re hoping to connect with other advisory professionals or learn something new about building a successful firm. Reviewing the agenda and considering the costs can help you narrow down the list of conferences that might be worth attending.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an RIA conference to attend (or exhibit at) there are a lot of options out there. The conferences we’ve listed here are largely centered around growth tactics and strategies. You may find them useful whether you’re just starting an RIA firm, or you’ve been in business for several years and are ready to scale up on a significant level.
Tips for Growing Your Advisory Business
- Developing a marketing plan can be integral to your firm’s growth but it can take time to find your groove. If you’re looking for faster results or simply want to streamline some of your systems, you may consider the advantages of an advisory marketing platform. SmartAsset AMP (Advisor Marketing Platform) is our holistic marketing service financial advisors can use for client lead generation and automated marketing. Sign up for a free demo to explore how SmartAsset AMP can help you expand your practice’s marketing operation. Get started today.
- Attending RIA conferences is an excellent way to network and make new contacts. Building out your network is something that you ideally begin doing on day one, as it can help to increase your business’s visibility. If you don’t have time to attend multiple conferences during the year, you may consider other creative ways to network as an advisor.
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