Event Spotlight – Gladstone M&A Conference 2024

Join us on May 2-3 at the W Hotel in Philadelphia, where Gladstone has gathered an impressive lineup of industry leaders, experts, and visionaries. They’ll be sharing their invaluable experiences, proven strategies, and insightful outlooks on the future of RIA M&A. At Gladstone, they understand the importance of meaningful connections. That’s why this conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to network with top industry professionals, potential partners, and thought leaders in an intimate, focused setting designed for impactful interactions and knowledge sharing. Their goal is for you to walk away with actionable strategies to optimize your M&A approach.

Dan Kreuter, Founder & CEO of Gladstone Group, will kick off the conference sharing the key trends and opportunities shaping the RIA M&A landscape. Kreuter will debut The Gladstone Prognosticator, a tool designed to identify critical factors impacting the M&A environment and provide a clear picture of the market’s direction, helping RIA leaders prepare for the road ahead.

One of the highlights of the Gladstone M&A Conference 2024 is the diverse range of informative panels tailored to address the most pressing issues facing RIAs today. The “Meet the Buyers” panel offers a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with strategic buyers actively seeking to acquire RIAs, while the “Ask the Sellers” panel features insights from RIA principals who have recently sold to strategic buyers. For those focused on talent management, “The Talent Challenge: Becoming a Destination Firm” panel will provide strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in the industry.

Navigating the legal complexities of RIA M&A can be daunting, but the conference has you covered. In the “Navigating the Legal Landscape of RIA Staffing: Non-Competes, Advisor Recruitment, and Beyond” fireside chat, Sharron Ash, Chief Litigation Counsel at the Hamburger Law Firm, will help you tackle critical legal issues such as non-compete agreements, advisor recruitment, trade secret protection, employment-related disputes, and regulatory compliance.

As the industry evolves, so too must the tools and strategies employed by RIAs. The “Structured Annuities: Beyond the Taboo – A Deep Dive Into Modern Risk Management Tools” session, featuring Lincoln Financial Distributors and Wade Pfau, will redefine the narrative around annuities and educate how these tax-deferred financial instruments can complement fee-based investment advisory practices. Attendees will learn how to integrate these solutions with tech platforms like Orion and identify the ideal client for these products.

Technology and outsourcing have become increasingly crucial for RIAs looking to stay competitive and drive growth. In the “Implementing Practices that Fuel Your Growth: Tech Enablement, Outsourcing, and Strategic Tools for High-Net-Worth Advisors” panel, moderated by Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content & Solutions at Informa Connect, industry leaders from Orion Advisor Tech, and Logan Capital will share insights on how top advisors revolutionize their practices through the integration of cutting-edge technology and strategic outsourcing.

For those seeking to optimize their business’s financial health, Oana Labes, a trusted strategic finance expert and founder of Financiario, will lead a discussion on “The Search for Green EBITDA: Finding the Sweet Spot for Buyers and Sellers.” Labes will present proven strategies and frameworks for optimizing cash flow, making sound financial decisions, and driving profitability to help RIA leaders find the ideal EBITDA that is attractive to buyers while still being fair to sellers in the context of M&A.

Finally, the “Latest Trends in Lending & Credit” session, featuring experts from Oak Street and UPTIQ, will address the current lending environment, including interest rates, underwriting standards, and regulatory considerations. You will gain practical tips and strategies for leveraging technology to integrate lending and credit solutions into your practice, strengthen client relationships, and drive growth.

The Gladstone M&A Conference 2024 is more than just an event; it’s an investment in the future of your RIA. By attending, you’ll gain access to the latest insights, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in the evolving RIA landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level – register now and secure your spot at the forefront of the industry.