The IFP's Annual Conference 2013 got under way today with three days packed with keynote speeches, seminars and conference sessions. More than 600 people are expected to attend.

The event is themed under the banner 'Back to the Future' and will run from 30 September until 2 October at the 5 Star Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, South Wales.
The day begins with a 90 minute pre-conference session for the growing number of IFP Accredited Financial Planning firms and the IFP's AGM will take place at 12 noon. Trainings sesssions and seminars will fill the afternoon and there will be a welcome evening in the exhibition hall which features stands from over 50 providers.
The event will attract Financial Planners from all over the UK and internationally including delegates from Australia and the US.
Financial Planner Online will be bringing you extensive daily news coverage every day during the conference plus conference highlights and live coverage on Twitter @fpm_online using the conference hashtag #IFPconf.
More than 50 leading providers will be exhibiting at the event which is head lead sponsored by AXA Wealth and Architas.
Details of today's sessions are:

10:15 - 11:45	PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION Accredited Financial Planning Firms session
11:30 - 17:00	IFP registration/information desk open
12:00 - 12:30	IFP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
12:30 - 14:00	Conference/Exhibition Open/Lunch
14:00 - 16:15	LEARNING STREAM PROGRAMME A programme of sessions covering three key areas for planners and Paraplanners.
14:00 - 14:30	STREAM 1: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Session 1a: Podcasting - how and why you should get involved in the biggest marketing trend of 2013 , Managing Director, Jacksons Wealth Management
14:00 - 14:30	STREAM 1: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Session 1b: The impact of planning and action - a working case study , Director, Financial Social Media UK
14:00 - 14:30	STREAM 1: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Session 1c: Your brand matters - how to enhance it and make it work for you , Managing Director, Mr B & Friends
14:00 - 14:30	STREAM 1: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Session 1d: Building your personal brand: how to attract and keep new clients (THIS LONGER SESSION RUNS UNTIL16:15)
14:30 - 14:45	Room Change
14:45 - 15:15	STREAM 2: PRODUCT INSIGHT Session 2a: Commodities as an asset class - accessing the market using ETPs , Head of UK & Ireland, ETF Securities
14:45 - 15:15	STREAM 2: PRODUCT INSIGHT Session 2b: Making the most of the tools and techniques available , Intermediary Business Development Manager , Architas
14:45 - 15:15	STREAM 2: PRODUCT INSIGHT Session 2c: A smart approach to classic beta , Index Product Specialist, Legal & General Investment Management
14:45 - 15:15	STREAM 2: PRODUCT INSIGHT CONTINUED FROM STREAM 1: Building your personal brand: how to attract and keep new clients
15:15 - 15:45	Refreshment Break
15:45 - 16:15	STREAM 3: PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Session 3a: How to keep clients for life , Media Specialist, Capital Asset Management plc
15:45 - 16:15	STREAM 3: PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Session 3b: Welcome to the Theatre of War: how to avoid getting office politics wrong! , Managing Director & Founder, Heron House Financial Management Ltd
15:45 - 16:15	STREAM 3: PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Session 3c: Hassle free outsourcing , Director/Paraplanner, Para-Sols
15:45 - 16:15	STREAM 3: PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED FROM STREAM 1: Building your personal brand: how to attract and keep new clients
16:15 - 16:15	Day 1 sessions end
16:30 - 17:00	STRUCTURED CPD SESSION This session is offered in addition to the main programme. CPD 1a: The Perfect File - a litigator's perspective , Senior Associate, Clarke Willmott LLP
16:30 - 17:00	STRUCTURED CPD SESSION This session is offered in addition to the main programme. CPD 1b: Constructing portfolios using closed-ended funds , Head of Training, Association of Investment Companies
16:30 - 17:00	STRUCTURED CPD SESSION This session is offered in addition to the main programme. CPD 1c: Structured Products - ignorance isn't bliss , Head of Intermediary Distribution, Investec Structured Products
18:00 - 21:30	Welcome Evening

Tina Weeks, event chairman, said: "It’s been a huge effort by a great team of people but we’re really looking forward to getting together again. The camaraderie is exceptional and the event is always a special one for Financial Planners and Paraplanners.”
Sue Whitbread, IFP communications director, added: "Support for the conference this year has far exceeded our expectations and the programme is packed with learning and knowledge sharing.
"We're confident this will be our best ever conference and the momentum created will move the profession forward. We're very grateful to all our sponsors and corporate members for backing the event and to attendees for booking early "It should be a great event with lots of learning and time for fun and networking too. Good luck to all those short listed for IFP awards too!"
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For full details of the conference programme go to www.financialplanning.org.uk and click on the Events menu.
Keynote speakers will include Bill Bachrach, former MI5 chief Eliza Manningham-Buller, Mike Kellard from AXA Wealth and 'The Standards Guy' Dennis Mills. More than 100 high calibre speakers and experts will be taking part in the event and sharing their knowledge.
Track sessions are divided into fundamentals, development, innovation and knowledge. The fundamentals track is a new idea being tried out as it features a former David Norton award winner speaking with a former IFP President on what it takes to be successful.
Track speakers include Michelle Hoskin from Standards International, Tony Wickenden from Technical Connection, Paul Etheridge from Prestwood, Chris Davies from Engage and Daniel Richards from Insight Marketing.
As well as the main sessions, there are structured CPD sessions, the exhibition, welcome events, a gala dinner and an exclusive session for Accredited Financial Planning Firms.
Delegates who have already booked their spaces should have pre-registered which sessions they want to attend. All sessions are accredited for IFP structured CPD.
• Don't miss daily news coverage of the conference on Financial Planner Online, on Twitter @FPM_Online and in print in Financial Planner magazine following the conference.