Planning Pays at FPA Convention 2000

In what promises to be the biggest and the best National Convention the FPA has ever staged, delegates this week will converge upon the Melbourne Convention Centre for the three-day event. KATE KACHOR previews this year’s seminars and functions.

For many within the financial planning industry, client files, tax invoices and investment reports will be momentarily set aside for the annual ritual of packing one's suitcase for the National Convention.

For three days, from December 7-9, financial planners, fund managers and other delegates from around Australia and overseas will gather for what has become one of the industry's most prestigious events -The Financial Planning Association (FPA) National Convention.

It is a time when pin-stripe suits are replaced by shorts, and polo shirts. A time when the business lunch is replaced by a couple of beers and a few laughs with colleagues from around the country, and a time when the annual general meeting is replaced by a black-tie gala dinner.

The FPA Convention is a time for members of the industry to let their hair down and catch up with colleagues, while gaining a further insight into their industry at their own pace.

This year marks the ninth FPA convention, and for the first time in five years the convention is being held in Melbourne. It also marks the end of an era for the FPA's official logo. The old logo, which was splashed on member letterheads for more than eight years has been replaced by a modern impression of the industry.

The new logo comprises a futuristic star motif, symbolising the link with the Southern Cross constellation and a blue sphere which symbolises the globe.

Ken Breakspear, who was appointed the new FPA chief executive in October

describes the new logo is being: "a more contemporary, corporate and dynamic" image for the industry.

Breakspear, who will give his inaugural speech at this year's convention, says the new logo represents the FPA as a modern, professional organisation which is a network of national and global relationships.

"The Australian market for financial planning services is vibrant and sophisticated, and the FPA members who service that market are acknowledged as being at the forefront of international best practice for financial planning professionals," Breakspear says.

"The new logo captures the sophistication of the Australian financial planning community, but also acknowledges that Australia is part of a connected global financial services market."

"The FPA will be working towards a smooth transition to the new licensing regime set out in CLERP 6," he says.

"I will be reviewing with the Board of strategic priorities and look forward to consulting with members about their needs and expectations

Last year the convention, was held at the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. The convention, with the theme, 'Gateway to the Future' saw the gathering of more than 2500 delegates.

Since its early beginnings in 1991, a group of financial planners and principal members of the FPA have spent two years planning the entertainment and program for the convention. This year's convention organising committee has been chaired by Godfrey Pembroke principal consultant, Neil McKissock.

McKissock and his committee including, Gavin Wright, Peter Dunn, Noel Will, Jan Tolley, John Hewison and Jennie Murry, have chosen 'Planning Pays' as the convention's theme. The theme, McKissock says, refers to the growth of the industry over the years and the level of professional standards that has continued to rise.

He says as well as the theme, much thought has been given to the program and entertainment of this year's convention.

"We have received some criticism about previous programs, some delegates say the programs were not technical enough. There is a lot of depth in the program this year. However, it is not just about technical issues," McKissock says.

According to McKissock, the line up of industry speakers includes one of the strongest, most relevant and most professionally challenging groups of people an FPA convention has seen.

In agreement with McKissock is Macquarie Bank master trust relationship director, and chairman of the Convention's educational committee, Stephen Hopely. According to him none of this year's speakers or their topics are repeats of material from past events.

"Educational content has always been a key focus of the National Convention, but this year the committee was determined to produce new, fresh topics and presenters who are recognised as leading technicians in their field, but who haven't been exposed to the FPA speaking circuit in the past," Hopley says.

More than 2500 to 3000 financial planners and industry representatives are expected to attend the Melbourne venue, a figure that if true, will match last year's convention attendance.

Speakers at this year's convention will cover technical, investment, technology and practice management issues.

Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Professor Allan Fels will deliver the opening keynote address. Fels will give a paper on competition and how the ACCC works as overseer in a continually changing environment.

Joining the Professor on the podium on day one of the convention will be Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski, speaking on technology and communication as the essential planning tools of the 21st century. Lazard Asset Management director Charles Carroll will then address the issue of global investing in a deregulating market in his discussion of the European Union and beyond.

Other speakers include National Australia Bank Global private financial services, general manager Peter Flavel. Flavel will be presenting a paper on global trends in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Australian Olympian Lisa Curry will present a paper on planning for your life, and reknowned funny men Roy and HG, fresh from their Olympic gig will close the convention with a team of acclaimed financial planning experts.

The convention's welcome reception is to be held at Flemington Racecource will be the first corporate function to be held at the new $46 million grandstand, while the Gala Dinner for up to 3000 people will be held on the turf of the recently opened Colonial Stadium will be the first event of its kind in Australia.

The convention also sees the changing of the FPA chairman guard with former chairman, Ray Griffin handing over the baton to John Hewison.

For Hewison, the FPA will also be his first official moment as chairman.