The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)’s National Roadshow (the Roadshow) which recently visited Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart was a sell-out success, attracting a record 1,580 delegates and scoring an overall feedback rating of 83%.
AFA CEO Richard Klipin said the Roadshow’s unprecedented success is evidence that the adviser community is looking for guidance and support in what are extremely challenging times.
“In times like these, when advisers are facing great change, they look for support, encouragement, inspiration and leadership,” Mr Klipin said. “Belonging to strong and supportive community is key in tough times .”
Practitioners made up 71% of Roadshow attendees, while the remaining 29% were business/practice development managers and other professionals. Most (61%) were under the age of 50, with 42% under the age of 40.
The highest scoring session, earning a feedback rating of 89%, was a panel featuring presentations from the AFA’s 2011 award winners – the AFA Adviser of the Year, Troy MacMillan; the AFA Female Excellence in Advice award winner, Olivia Maragna and the AFA’s Rising Star, Mark Rattigan.
“The feedback on our panel indicated that delegates appreciated receiving valuable insights from people who clearly are some of the best young advisers in the industry,” Mr Klipin said.
“They are great ambassadors for our profession.”
The panel of award winners will present again at the AFA National Conference at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in October, where the AFA’s 2012 award winners will also be announced.
“We believe our awards are a barometer on change in the market place and the quest for excellence,” Mr Klipin said.
“It is the 10th anniversary of the AFA Adviser of the Year Awards and the barometer is reading well. We have received an unprecedented number of outstanding nominations in all our awards and as we narrow entries down to finalists it is clear we have some seriously great talent.”
Mr Klipin said that the AFA National Conference is building on the Roadshow theme which is: Building pathways to excellence: Insight + Insight + Consumers.
“Like the Roadshow, the conference is about providing our members with opportunities to hear from experts and share their own experiences so that they are well-equipped to deliver excellent outcomes to consumers,” he said.
A highlight on the program is an industry panel featuring Jeremy Cooper, Chair of the Cooper Review and Mathias Cormann, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation.
“The AFA National Conference presents another outstanding opportunity for the financial advice community to learn, to share and to connect with industry leaders and their peers,” Mr Klipin said.
“We look forward to once again welcoming AFA members and our colleagues across the country to the Gold Coast.”
Those wishing to attend to the conference are encouraged to book now.
“Registrations are up 18% on last year and accommodation at the conference venue is already booked out,” Mr Klipin said. “Accommodation is still available at neighbouring hotels.”
To download the registration, find out more, view locations, dates and times, visit the AFA website: www.afa.asn.au
