With just six months to go until the UK’s biggest Financial Planning event, plans are being finalised at IFP HQ to ensure it lives up to delegates ever increasing expectations. This year will be the 25th IFP conference and the event will take place from 1-3 October at the five star Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.

The conference title, “Inspiring Trust”, reflects the focus of Financial Planning firms to build client relationships based on trust – a key differentiator post-RDR. Trust has been heavily featured in the news lately, particularly with regard to IFP member Shane Mullins’ ‘Question of Trust’ campaign, which is supported by the IFP.

The conference will also celebrate one year of the Accredited Financial Planning Firms^TM initiative, which was launched at last year’s conference. The majority of the Accredited Firms will be represented at Celtic Manor where talk will no doubt extend to the Accredited Firms register and the ‘Great Minds Think Alike’ consumer awareness campaign.

Last year over 600 Financial Planners, advisers, providers and journalists attended the sell-out event and similar numbers are expected this year. As well as attracting the UK’s leading Financial Planners and many from overseas, the programme has also been designed to provide particular value to Paraplanners, a growing community which also benefits from discounted rates to attend.

A key difference of this event is that it is organised by a committee of Financial Planners, led by Conference Chairman Don Fraser CFP^CM. It’s also developed based on feedback from previous delegates, resulting in sessions which are particularly relevant and valuable for the needs of Financial Planning professionals.

Mike Macleod CFP^CM, conference committee member and director at The Everett Group, said: “I wanted to be on the committee to give back to the organisation that has helped me so much. I’ve been a member for 10 years, attended six annual conferences and gained so many positive ideas for my business. I attend the conference for the great speakers, company of my peers and the chance to meet people on a similar level and on a higher level who I can learn from.”

This year there are a number of changes and additions to the programme based on feedback from last year’s event. New for 2012 is the inclusion of fast-track gap filling workshop for CFP^CM professionals, to be held on Saturday and Sunday prior to the conference, which will ensure attendees are RDR-ready to apply for their Statement of Professional Standing.

Ahead of the official conference programme, which starts on the Tuesday morning, Accredited Financial Planning firms will meet to follow on from the inaugural conference held in March and focus on the successful ‘Great Minds Think Alike’ campaign. This will also be the first meeting for those firms who were not on the register in March. Other concurrent sessions are also being planned.

The interactive exhibition will open on Monday, although earlier than in 2011 to give delegates more time to explore all the opportunities in good time. The exhibition is a key part of the conference experience, with over 40 firms providing useful tips, information and activities to help members make the most of their stay.

The pre-conference workshops will take place on Monday afternoon, although some changes to the 2011 format are planned here too and will be revealed in due course.

For those who are new to conference, the orientation and networking session is the ideal time to meet new friends, learn more about the conference ahead and meet with key IFP members and personnel.

As usual, the IFP AGM meeting will be held exclusively for members on Monday 1 October. All IFP members are invited to attend the meeting, which provides the chance to find out what’s going on within the IFP and question key IFP personnel.

The welcome dinner will be hosted in the evening, with plenty of social interaction guaranteed. It will be difficult to match the spectacular IFP’s Got Talent competition held in 2011, but we’re sure that delegates will not be disappointed!

On Tuesday, the formal conference programme kicks off with a combination of keynote sessions and a track programme. All speakers have been especially selected and invited to appear. This year’s track sessions are based on the same themes as the 2011 conference in ‘All About You’, ‘All About Your business’, ‘All About Your Brain’, ‘All About Your Clients’ and ‘All About Paraplanning’. These provide a fantastic range of sessions and topics, often providing difficult decisions for delegates as they wish to attend all the concurrent sessions.

Keynote speakers confirmed at the time of writing include Carl Richards CFP^CM from Behaviour Gap whose clever yet simple use of sketches will transform your client meetings. Jacqueline Gold, the inspirational chief executive of Ann Summers, will follow in the steps of other inspirational business leaders in Michelle Mone and Karren Brady who have wowed IFP audiences in recent years. Also taking part from the USA is Deena Katz CFP^CM whose session “automate or die” will provide useful ideas to make your practice more efficient, and Harold Evensky CFP^CM who will look at behavioural economics, helping irrational clients make rational decisions.

David Crozier CFP^CM, of Navigator Financial Planning, said: “This will be my ninth consecutive year at the conference and I wouldn’t miss it. It is very Financial Planning focused as opposed to financial advice and financial products. There are always great technical speakers and also it’s an opportunity for business development and personal development insights. The sessions are very, very good. What’s especially great is the opportunity to meet other Financial Planners and people who are so willing to         share their views and thoughts with you.”

The proliferation of CFP^CM professionals and members of Accredited Firms will mean that delegates can enjoy networking with the leaders in the profession. Conference is also the venue for the presentation of numerous IFP awards including the prestigious David Norton ‘Building Excellence’ award, the Tony Sellon ‘Good Egg’ award and the Paraplanner of the Year.

Making sure Tuesday ends on a high, a champagne reception will be followed by a fun filled gala dinner, where the Financial Planning profession will enjoy an evening of entertainment and networking – as well as five star dining. Wednesday brings further combinations of track sessions and keynotes.

Sue Whitbread, communications director at the IFP, said: “Well over a hundred delegates have already booked their place, and it looks as though places will sell out even sooner than last year. Accommodation always sells out quickly too so if you’re keen to stay in the Celtic Manor then book soon!”

The 10 per cent early-bird discount will end on 24 May, although those booking after that date can still get a five per cent discount by booking online. There are also 15 per cent discounts available for firms attending with three or more staff and 25 per cent for Paraplanners.

If you’re in any doubt about attending, Mr Macleod sums the experience: “The conference is always changing but the core winning formula that works so well, remains the same: great speakers, great attendees, great location and that really special IFP atmosphere. It’s certainly an event not to miss. Financial Planners, Paraplanners and wealth managers should consider it a must-go event.”