The AFA’s National Conference is being held in Cairns this October.
Preparations for the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)’s National Conference in Cairns this October are well progressed, with the program designed to encourage advisers to take the initiative in driving change, a sentiment which is in line with the AFA’s 2014 theme – Innovate: think, create, act.
AFA CEO Brad Fox said the 2014 Conference will focus on providing unique knowledge and practical tools for financial advisers and financial advice business owners to help them excel in a rapidly changing advice environment. “Many advisers have been pre-occupied with FoFA and regulatory and compliance related changes for years now, and although some uncertainty remains it is time for all advisers to discover and embrace the new opportunities that are emerging for our burgeoning profession,” he said.
Success in the new era of financial advice, Mr Fox said, will ultimately come down to service innovation and the further professional development of advisers. “The AFA’s 2014 National Conference sessions will provide advisers with access to the knowledge and tools they need to deliver great advice to the clients of tomorrow.”
Mr Fox said the conference also provides an opportunity to create valuable professional relationships via both formal learning sessions and the informal collegiate environment unique to the AFA National Conference.
AFA Vice President and National Conference Chair, Marc Bineham said the conference will also help advisers build on skills to improve the financial literacy of their clients. “While Australians have access to an array of financial information, the information is not always knowledge.”
Mr Bineham said financial advice clients need the leadership and guidance of advisers more than ever to interpret and transform the information into effective strategies. “Advisers have a great opportunity to make a significant difference in their clients’ lives, but we do need to think differently and be better prepared for the opportunities and challenges of a post FOFA world,” he said. “The AFA National Conference will provide advisers with the knowledge and framework to bring innovative ideas to life within their advice and their businesses.”
The AFA approach to professional development, Mr Bineham said, is to focus on the concept of advisers consuming a balanced diet of development content through a variety of mediums. “It is very important for advisers to attend events like the AFA National Conference because it gives them the ability to explore ideas and exchange learnings directly with their peers. This is the most effective way for advisers to increase their knowledge and skills and be able to immediately put them to use in their advice and businesses.”
The AFA’s 2014 National Conference professional development curriculum is focused around four learning pillars: Adviser Performance, Advice Strategies, Business Performance and Professionalism & Leadership.
Mr Fox said the National Conference curriculum has been developed through an adviser’s eyes. “It addresses the specific issues and challenges facing today’s advisers, both young and old, employed and self-employed,” he said. “We listen to the concerns of advisers and it is their voice that shapes the conference content and drives the agenda. This is one of the key advantages the AFA’s national conference has over other conferences.”
The AFA National Conference is expected to offer up to 18 CPD points. The conference program will be publicly released on the 1st July. Click here to find out more or to register.
