Conference regos up for under 30s

With less than two months to go before the start of this year’s Financial Planning Association (FPA) National Conference (November 28-30), initial registrations already show a big increase in the number of practitioners under the age of 30 attending the conference — up from 1 per cent last year to 12 per cent in 2007.

“I am encouraged by the numbers of younger planners and paraplanners registering, especially when we are faced with the twin challenges of a dwindling talent pool in a burgeoning market and the need to ensure increasing standards of professionalism as experienced hands retire and a new generation takes their place,” FPA chief executive officer Jo-Anne Bloch said.

“The conference is the main forum where the future of the profession and its inherent challenges come under the spotlight. It is vital that young planners are involved and engaged in these debates.”

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Great Education = Good Advice’, which reflects the FPA’s commitment to the growth and development of the financial planning profession.

“The FPA recognises the symbiotic nature of education and sound advice. Both are critical to the industry’s future success and integrity,” Bloch said.

“By providing high quality education, we aim to support the value of advice, increase professional standards and provide delegates with diverse development opportunities.”

Keynote speakers include former NSW Premier Bob Carr, SchroderInvestment Management head of emerging market equities Allan Conway and former Woolworths chief executive officer and Reserve Bank Board member Roger Corbett.

Overall conference registrations are on track, with 71 per cent of all registrations coming from financial planning practitioners.

Of the practitioners who have registered, 56 per cent are Certified Financial Planners, which is a 9 per cent increase on 2006 numbers.

For more information on the conference, including registrations, go to http://www.fpa.asn.au