The first ever Paraplanner Powwow – billed as an 'unconference' for Paraplanners – has got under way today (19 Sept) in Northamptonshire under giant teepees.
Up to 70 Paraplanners are attending the event plus speakers and other experts. Billed as an 'unconference' delegates have built their own agenda and will meet in an informal atmosphere.
Getting into the spirit of the event some delegates have donned facepaint to add to the native American style of the event.
Delegates and non-delegates can follow progress on Twitter through the official Twitter feed @ParaPowwow and Financial Planner Online will be bringing regular updates via Twitter and online.
The Powwow brings together Paraplanners from all over the country to discuss shared issues and to share knowledge. Due to demand, event capacity was increased from 60 to 70 and all spaces sold out.
Powwow organiser Richard Allum, founder of outsourced Paraplannning company The Paraplanners and a board member of the Institute of Financial Planning, said everyone was excited about the event making history as the first of its kind. Other Powwows are already being planned.
He told Financial Planner Online: "The idea behind the Powwow is that it's about Paraplanners designing and delivering their own day by choosing the date, location, topics and even the music (everyone coming has been able to choose two tracks for the day, for example)."
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
Following suggestions from delegates, topics will include due diligence, report writing, clean share classes, cashflow modelling, technology and platforms.
Speakers will include Mark Polson from the langcat and Emma Napier from The Platforum. The main session will be a 60-minute plenary with Chatham House rules applied for Paraplanners to share issues and problems covering the Paraplanning sector.
There will also be a 'campfire session' with L&G. L&G have ideas about supporting Paraplanners and offering bespoke service so this will be a chance for Paraplanners to share their thoughts on service.
Delegates also suggested 'show and tell' sessions on software and technology usage. Paraplanners will have five minutes to share their favourite software. This will be followed by a guest from AXA Elevate listening to ideas and concerns about how to create the ideal platform software.
Full details are available via http://paraplannerspowwow.co.uk/event/
Financial Planner Online will be following the event so if you are taking part get in touch to tell us how it's going and what the highlights are. You can direct message us via our Twitter feed @fpm_online
Check back here later for progress.
• Want to receive a free weekly summary of the best news stories from our website? Just go to the home page and sign up.