In the second week of September our team took the opportunity to head West and attend the Future Proof conference in Huntington Beach, CA and make a quick stop to see some of our clients in Los Angeles. In addition to soaking up some sun we had the opportunity to learn about some of the newest trends in the wealth management industry. We compiled a few of our team’s takeaways that we thought you might find interesting.
- AI Is Transforming Workflows—But Security Is Key
AI was the dominant theme of the event, with tools showcased for tax return reviews, financial planning, meeting summaries, and more. While Baird is cautiously exploring AI in our everyday use, our team is already utilizing some tools withing CoPilot (our approved AI tool). The biggest opportunity lies in efficiency in our meetings and marketing.
- Investment Tools Are Evolving, Not Just Strategies
Rather than new investment strategies, the focus was on emerging tools like private equity, private markets, and actively managed ETFs. These tools are being tailored for “retail” clients with lower minimums and higher liquidity, signaling a shift toward more sophisticated, accessible investment solutions.
- Financial Planning Is Becoming More Personalized and Accessible
Technology is commoditizing the financial planning process, making it easier for clients to access basic plans independently. However, the real value of advisors lies in asking the right questions, identifying blind spots, and customizing strategies to each client’s unique goals.
- Market Sentiment vs. Reality—Don’t Miss the Best Days
Tom Lee, investor and Fundstrat head of research, highlighted the danger of trying to time the market. Missing just a few top-performing days can drastically reduce long-term returns. Despite bearish media sentiment, indicators show we’re in a bull market—reinforcing the importance of staying invested. Here is a link to some of his research.
- Human Connection Matters—Team Bonding & Client Inclusion
Beyond tech and strategy, the conference reinforced the importance of team cohesion and inclusive client communication. The panels emphasized engaging all household members in financial conversations, especially women, and our team appreciated the chance to reconnect after our nomadic Summer during the office remodel.
During our client meetings we are happy to discuss in greater detail anything that we learned as this list isn’t necessarily a call to action in your current plan or investment strategy.
We also want to thank you for your patience while we were at the conference as we know that it can be somewhat disruptive to our business while the entire team is out of the office. (Even though we check emails frequently.) We view these conferences as a key benefit to our team’s culture to build cohesion, learn from the best in the industry and ultimately serve you better.
Here is a picture from the visit!
