Growth & M&A · Panel Discussion
The New World of the RIA
Consolidation, fee pressure, and the rise of the mega-firm — the state of the industry, and where the next five years of growth will come from.
Overview
- Date: November 4th, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM
- Location: New York City
The Leading Advisors Summit is Worth’s flagship gathering for the Registered Investment Advisor industry—a one-day, single-track, invitation-only convening of roughly 150 principals from the nation’s leading RIA firms. Anchored to Worth’s Leading Advisors recognition program and the annual Top RIA Firms list, the Summit brings honorees, industry leaders, and the firms reshaping wealth management together in one room.
This year’s program sees the whole picture—not just the portfolio. The most valuable firms of the next decade will be built on differentiated investments and everything that surrounds the portfolio: family-office services, tax and estate strategy, talent and succession, brand equity, AI-enabled operations, private markets opportunities and the health, travel, and passion assets that define how clients actually live. Over one afternoon of panels, fireside conversations, and curated introductions, the Summit examines how leading firms grow—organically, through acquisition, and beyond wealth advisory altogether.
Who Should Attend
- CEOs and founders of RIA firms with $500M+ in assets under management
- CIOs, portfolio managers, and investment leadership at independent advisory firms
- Corporate development and firm strategy professionals
- Next-generation principals and equity partners building toward succession
- Worth Leading Advisors honorees and Top RIA Firms alumni
Attendance is limited to RIA principals and is by invitation only. Service providers to the advisory industry participate through partnership—contact matthew.mccann@worth.com
The Program
The Working Agenda
Eight conversations on growth, deals, talent, and the business beyond the portfolio — curated for the firms defining what an RIA can be.
Growth & M&A · Fireside Conversation
The Organic Growth Engine
Beyond acquisition: the referral, brand, and marketing playbook of the firms growing fastest without buying their growth.
Growth & M&A · Panel Discussion
The M&A Endgame
Buyers, sellers, and what valuations really look like in 2026–27 — from the people doing the deals.
Talent & Operations · Fireside Conversation
Talent, Equity & Succession
Recruiting the next generation, the equity structures that keep them, and why succession is an operating system — not an event.
Talent & Operations · Fireside Conversation
The AI-Enabled Firm
Where AI is actually working inside advisory firms — operations, planning, client communication — and what clients now expect.
Beyond Advisory · Panel Discussion
Beyond Wealth Advisory: The Personal CFO
Family-office services, tax, estate, and legal — how leading firms turn non-investment services into durable, differentiated revenue.
Beyond Advisory · Panel Discussion
The Assets They Live On
Private aviation and passion assets — advising clients on the things they own because of their wealth, not the wealth itself.
Beyond Advisory · Fireside Conversation
Health Is the New Wealth
Concierge medicine and longevity as the newest client-retention service line — and what advisors need to know to make the referral.
Full schedule and speaker announcements coming soon.
Speakers
2026 Leading Advisors Summit Speakers
Speakers will include the CEOs and senior leaders of the nation's top RIA firms, alongside the specialists reshaping what advisory firms offer. Announcements begin this summer.
Announcements Coming Soon
Thank you to our partners
TrustHouse
Magellan Jets
Arbor Realty Trust
