Huntington Beach, California – Once every so often, a financial summit is held that doesn’t just focus on numbers, forecasts, or pie charts. It digs deeper into the human side of wealth management. This year’s Future Proof conference was one such event. A convergence of culture, technology, and, of course, money, it represented the best of what the world of wealth management has to offer.
What’s Future Proof All About?
Setting the stage as the world’s largest wealth conference, this event is the melting pot where the old meets the new. The most celebrated figures in the financial world come together with emerging minds to hash out what the future holds for wealth management. It’s not just about money but also its intersection with psychology and technology.
Imagine a place where fintech startups could have morning coffee with seasoned institutional investors or where portfolio managers discuss the financial dimensions of their work with asset managers. Future Proof is that place. With an amalgamation of financial advisors, portfolio managers, asset managers, and others, the event leads to conversation and collaboration beyond comparison.
Highlights from Huntington Beach
The four-day event, held September 10-13, witnessed Huntington Beach buzzing with more than 3,000 professionals. Attendees varied from financial advisors and portfolio managers to economists and academic stalwarts from top-tier universities.
QWealth Partners made a significant mark, with many leaders from various partner firms joining SBW at the event, including Precision Wealth Management, Flatiron Wealth Management, Elevate Wealth Management, Private Financial Group, ETF Capital Management and KLT Wealth Management.
The “Canadian Lounge” hosted by QWealth was the toast of the conference, serving as the centrepiece for all Canadian-oriented discussions and networking.
The Sound Stage
The event showcased a live sound stage where several podcasts were recorded in real time. Among these were “The Rational Reminder,” “The Compound and Friends,” “Animal Spirits,” “Bloomberg’s Odd Lots,” and “Masters in Business.” A highlight of the event was the live recording of “The Rational Reminder” podcast. Hosts Cameron Passmore and Ben Felix interviewed Hal Hershfield, a Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology Professor at UCLA. Hal’s recent book, “Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today,” was published earlier this year and comes highly recommended. SBW particularly admires the work of Cameron and Ben, and it was a treat to witness a live episode.
The Luminaries of Future Proof
As with every major conference, the essence is often distilled from its speakers, and Future Proof had a lineup like no other:
• Cliff Asness of AQR Capital Management delivered enlightening perspectives on modern investment paradigms.
• Jeffrey Gundlach from DoubleLine captivated the audience with his comprehensive analysis of the economic landscape.
• Jeremy Siegel of Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania provided academic depth, elucidating intricate finance theories for the modern world.
• Brian Portnoy, founder of Shaping Wealth, enriched attendees with insights from his diverse background.
• Morgan Housel from Collaborative Fund added layers of depth to the discourse with his thought leadership.
There were also talks from executives from titans of the industry, like Dimensional Fund Advisors, KKR, Vanguard, BlackRock, and many more.
SBW Wealth Management’s Takeaway
For the team at SBW Wealth Management, Future Proof was not merely an event; it symbolized a compass guiding the future direction of wealth management. A significant revelation from the conference was the transformative role of technology, especially artificial intelligence, in reshaping financial planning and wealth management. Embracing technological advancements will be crucial to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
Furthermore, our experiences and insights from Future Proof reaffirmed a critical aspect of our profession: in today’s financial climate, it’s imperative for wealth managers to be not just good but exceptional in their approach. Being evidence-based in our investment strategies is no longer just a preference—it’s a necessity. The landscape of wealth management is becoming increasingly complex, and to navigate it effectively, relying on hard data, thorough research, and robust methodologies is paramount.
But beyond the numbers and strategies, another facet stood out prominently. Wealth management isn’t merely about growing and protecting assets; it’s also about understanding and facilitating our client’s life goals and aspirations. It became clear that as wealth managers, our role extends to helping clients live their best lives. By aligning financial strategies with life objectives, we can provide a holistic service that truly resonates with our clients’ aspirations.
The conference ushered in moments of introspection and learning and reinforced our commitment to pioneering innovation and exceptional service. While the curtains may have drawn on Future Proof for this year, its resonance persists. The amalgamation of fresh perspectives, potential alliances, and the invigoration of being amidst the industry’s best will undeniably influence our strategic choices and solutions.
As we anticipate next year’s chapter, we remain committed to embodying the essence of Future Proof, fortifying our pledge to deliver future-resilient wealth management solutions that are in sync with the latest technological strides and truly serve the holistic needs of our clients.
