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2025 Success Summit Agenda
February 4, 2025 | Doubletree by Hilton McLeans

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NAIFA-Greater Washington, D.C.

2025 Success Summit Agenda

February 4, 2025 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

7:30 am
Registration Opens
Breakfast with Exhixbitors
8:30 am
Welcome from NAIFA-GWDC President, Nathan Moore
8:45 - 9:45 am
Keynote Session : Unlock the Future of Your Practice with AI and Cutting-Edge Tech!
Keynote Speaker: Panos Leledakis, LUTCF, IRMA, BRMA
CEO, International Financial Architects
Join us for a game-changing presentation where he will empower you to become a Superhuman Advisor. This isn't just another session; it's your gateway to mastering AI, social media marketing, content creation, and the latest technologies in insurance and financial services. Imagine effortlessly integrating AI into your daily routine, automating tasks, and transforming client interactions with the power of tech like VR, AR, and NFC. Whether you're looking to amplify your productivity or impress clients like never before, this event will provide live demonstrations and practical insights that are easy to implement, even if you're not tech-savvy. Don't just adapt—lead the industry. Be the advisor your clients deserve and let them wonder how you do it! Reserve your spot now and take the first step towards revolutionizing your practice with AI and cutting-edge technology!
9:45 - 10:15 am
Networking Break and Consulting Lounge
10:15 - 11:00 am
General Session: Perspectives from the Best in DC/MD/VA - It’s a Great Time to be a Mid-sized Firm
Allison Felix, Cassady & Co.
Kelly Campbell, Campbell Wealth Management
Hear from industry leaders what they think of prospecting for new agents? Where do they start? Tell us how you do this, and how can I take my practice to the next level?
11:00 - 11:45 am
Breakout Sessions
- Succession Planning for General Advisors and Owners with T. Ted Motheral, Potomac Law - What should firms do to best equip themselves for a succession plan? When is the best time to start considering a path toward success or selling? What does Potomac Law offer to provide perspective to advisors and business owners as they consider a liquidity event? What is the benefit to maintaining ownership in minority or majority deals?

- Technology in Agencies and the Best Methods for Implementation
Speakers: Jud Mackrill, Alison Susko and Torie Happe

- Successful Prospecting Strategies with C. Shane Chareonchump, CFP and Gretchen Golembewski
Prospecting is an important part of your firm’s business and growth strategy. Done right, not only leads to new clients, but it can also help to position you as a trusted advisor within your community. Within this session, we will discuss why a clearly defined prospect process is necessary in today's crowded advisor marketplace. In addition, we will highlight a number of prospecting strategies. Finally, we will share with you a framework, along with supporting resources, to successfully shepherd prospects through.
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Awards Lunch
with Gaffar Chowdhury, GWDC Immediate Past President
12:15 - 1:00 pm
General Session: Legislative Update – Federal and State Issues in 2025
Federal Legislative Perspectives – Diane Boyle, SVP, Government Relations, NAIFA

Maryland State Legislative Perspectives - Brett Lininger, Esq., Lobbyist, NAIFA-Maryland Lobbyist

Grassroots Advocacy- Andrew Holt, Government Relations, NAIFA
1:00 - 1:45 PM
General Session: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - Economic Forecast for 2025
Anirban Basu, PhD, Chairman & CEO, Sage Policy Group, Inc
With the presidential election season behind us, Dr. Anirban Basu will return to give his economic forecasts for 2025. This presentation will supply in-depth analysis of major factors shaping economic outcomes, including interest rates, global conflict, wage dynamics, business confidence, and demographics. Dr. Basu will forecast for the coming year, highlighting the major risks that economic stakeholders will likely encounter.
1:45 - 2:30 pm
Breakout Sessions
- Applied Behavioral Finance: How to Integrate Behavioral Finance Concepts into your Financial Planning Practice with Mary Bell Carlson, CFP, AFC, The Carson Group
Many advisors have heard of behavioral finance but don’t know how to apply these concepts to your business. Dr. Carlson will teach behavioral finance in a way that can be applied to any practice, large or small. You will learn how small changes can lead to positive effects on your clients. From this course, you can implement behavioral finance applications directly into your current business practices.

- Marketing and Digital Branding – Storytelling is Part of Your Agency – Do You Own Your Space? with Brian Haney and Matt Halloran
2:30 - 2:45 pm
Networking Break
2:45 - 3:45 pm
Closing General Session: What Does the Future of the Financial Advisor Profession Look Like?
Jamie Hopkins, President, FinServ Foundation
Join us with Jamie Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer of Bryn Mawr Trust and President of FinServ Foundation as he discusses the future of financial services and how to keep your practice ahead of the changing tides. The future of the wealth management business is undergoing a profound transformation driven by evolving consumer needs and technological advancements. At the forefront of this evolution is the rise of digital asset planning, a necessity in today’s increasingly digital world. Consumers are demanding more personalized and efficient solutions, prompting wealth managers to integrate cutting-edge technology into their practices. Trends such as the convenience economy and the growing expectation for a "one-stop-shop" experience in wealth services are reshaping the industry. These shifts not only reflect changing consumer expectations but also the opportunity for wealth management professionals to deliver holistic solutions that encompass financial planning, investment management, insurance, and beyond.Alternative investments and advanced technology are also playing a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future. With investors seeking diversification and resilience in uncertain markets, products like private equity, real assets, and cryptocurrencies are becoming more mainstream. Simultaneously, advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and predictive analytics are enhancing decision-making and improving client engagement. Insurance, once considered a standalone product, is increasingly integrated into comprehensive financial strategies, offering protection and growth in one seamless package. Together, these trends underscore a shift towards a more client-centric, technology-driven approach, setting the stage for a more dynamic and adaptable wealth management landscape.
3:45 - 4:30 pm
Reception with Exhibitors

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