Industry conferences are invaluable opportunities for financial advisors, offering insights, continuing education credits, networking, and access to the latest technology solutions. But to get the most out of these events, it's essential to invest time in thoughtful planning and purposeful engagement before, during, and after the conference.
Before You go to a Conference
Here's how you can strategically prepare to maximize your experience:
1. Craft Your Personalized Itinerary
Before setting foot at the conference, carefully review the event agenda. Identify sessions, vendor booths, and networking events that align with your specific goals. Prioritize your choices to avoid missing valuable opportunities, ensuring your schedule matches your professional objectives.
2. Research Speakers and Vendors
Knowledge is power—and doing your homework ahead of the conference can greatly enhance your experience. Take the time to research keynote speakers and exhibitors. Visit their websites, review their LinkedIn profiles, and explore their recent work or publications. This preparation helps you decide which sessions and interactions to prioritize based on your interests and professional needs.
3. Engage in Pre-Conference Conversations
Begin building meaningful connections before you even arrive at the event. Engage with other attendees, speakers, and exhibitors through LinkedIn or X using the event's hashtag. Not only does this demonstrate your proactive participation (something your clients appreciate seeing), but it also allows you to establish rapport with fellow attendees and facilitates meet-ups during the event.
4. Reach out Directly to Attendees
Review the attendee list ahead of time, identifying key individuals you'd like to connect with. Reach out via email or social media to schedule meetings, coffee chats, or casual introductions between sessions. Pre-scheduled meetings enable more meaningful interactions and help you build relationships that can positively impact your business.
If you'll be at FPA Retreat, catch my session on the 29th!
At and Immediately After the Event
5. Show up With Intention
While at the conference, be present and proactive. Take notes during sessions (especially action items you can apply), introduce yourself to new people—even if it feels awkward—and don’t underestimate the power of hallway conversations. Be open to serendipitous moments, but stay guided by your goals.
Keep an eye out for small group discussions, breakout sessions, or impromptu meetups—these often lead to the most valuable connections.
6. Follow Through Promptly
Your work isn't done when the conference ends. Within a few days, reach out to the people you met—send a LinkedIn request with a short personal message, follow up on conversations you had, and share resources or insights you promised. If you took notes on ideas you want to implement, carve out time to prioritize them, engage team members and set a plan in motion.
Even better: Block 30 minutes on your calendar the week after the event to reflect on what you learned and how you can translate that into results for your business.
ROI From Events
Remember, the real value of attending a financial advisor conference goes far beyond CE credits and educational sessions. Strategic preparation, active engagement, and intentional follow-through are the keys to unlocking long-term ROI and growth from any event you attend.
Related: How Modern Financial Advisors Can Build a Scalable Growth Engine