The format of the IFP Annual Conference is renowned for giving delegates many options when choosing which sessions to attend.
In addition to the keynote speakers, the 'pick and mix' track programme allows you to tailor the conference to your own specific needs. The tracks focus on 'All About...' You; Your Business; Your Brain and Your Clients. There's also an 'All about Paraplanning' track on conference day two.
Track speakers this year include Greg B Davies of Barclays talking about behavioural finance, Tish Hanifan from the Society for Later Life Advisers and Pete Matthew CFPCM of Jacksons Wealth Management looking at creating trust through online content.
As you'd expect it'll be three days of big ideas, new thinking and lively debate about the issues that really matter within Financial Planning. Early booking is advised as the conference has sold out for the past few years.
Feedback
Over 50 per cent of conference 2011 delegates completed the post event feedback survey and 84 per cent of them rated the event as 8 out of 10 or above where 10 is excellent. The main reasons delegates gave for choosing to attend were the personal development opportunities, the valuable networking and, of course, the speakers and sessions.
Five star accommodation
This will be the fifth year the IFP conference has taken place at the Celtic Manor Resort so they must be doing something right. Considering the size of the event, the quality of the food and service offered is excellent. The five star accommodation is limited and sold out last year so early booking is crucial if you don't want to miss out. Our advice is: don't leave it too late to book!
How to sessions
In a change to previous years, a programme of 'how to' sessions will take place on the afternoon of conference day one. These are an opportunity to pick up specific action points that you'll be able to put
into practice immediately. Sessions will range from how to meet the CFPCM certification standards, through how to make sense of the Code of Ethics to how to create and use Twitter and LinkedIn.
Keynote sessions
The final conference keynote speaker has now been confirmed as John Cremer. His session 'Know Thy Client' will be thought provoking and insightful and you'll learn how to engage and communicate better with your clients. John will be joining Carl RichardsCFPCM ofTheBehaviorGap and inspirational businesswoman, Jacqueline Gold, chief executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox.
