SPONSORED BY
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Apollo
Brookfield
Invesco
RiverFront Investment Group
BNY
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
JP Morgan
GOLD SPONSORS
Amplify ETFs
Barron's Advisor
Confluence Investment Management
Federated Hermes
Franklin Templeton
Lazard Asset Management
Touchstone
Aristotle
BlackRock
Congress Asset Management
Fidelity Investments
GCM Grosvenor
Mondrian
Voya
Artisan Partners
CIM Group
Davis Advisors
First Eagle Investments
Global X
T. Rowe Price
SILVER SPONSORS
AllianceBernstein
Investments & Wealth Institute
Allspring Global Investments
Lyrical Asset Management
Capital Group American Funds
MFS
Copeland Capital Management
Millennium Management
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Channing Capital Management • Globalt Investments • MayTech Global Investments • Ramirez Asset Management
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
Optional Pre-Conference Session
Monday, June 8 – 11:45AM
Two Sides of Succession:
Retiring Advisors and Practice Acquirers
Join us for a 2-hour practical, advisor-focused workshop and peer share, designed to bring clarity and structure to succession planning—whether you are preparing to transition your practice into retirement or positioning yourself to acquire and integrate another advisor’s book. Through guided discussion and actionable frameworks, the session explores how to define goals and timelines, evaluate fit between successor and seller, protect client continuity, and address the operational and relationship considerations that can make or break a transition. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the end-to-end succession process, key questions to ask at each stage, and next steps to move from intent to execution with confidence and professionalism.
Optional Pre-Conference Session
Monday, June 8 – 11:45AM
The AI Playbook For Growth
Investing with AI
Scott Helfstein, PHD, Head of Investment Strategy for Global XETFs
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Learn where we are in the investment cycle of AI in this multi-year investment theme.
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Learn how to frame opportunities, risks, and the long-term relevance of AI within a diversified investment strategy.
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Use this to share in client conversations and help clients capitalize on this opportunity in their portfolio construction.
Advisor Marketing in an AI World
Joe DeRoss, Executive Director, Practice Strategy
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Learn how top performing Financial Advisors and Teams are using modern marketing to accelerate client acquisition and deepen relationships in an AI-influenced world. This session will share practical best practices—plus emerging AI-driven behaviors prospects are using to research, evaluate, and choose an advisor—so you can stay discoverable, differentiated, and trusted. You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps to implement in your practice to strengthen your digital presence and client experience.
Prompt Smarter, Work Faster: Practical Prompting in AI@MS
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Participants will learn practical prompting techniques that work for beginners, intermediate users, and advanced prompt writers—from framing clear requests and refining outputs to building repeatable prompt “recipes” for daily workflows. You’ll practice with real-world scenarios, including good vs. better vs. best prompts, how to summarize complex documents, and how to guide AI to create or analyze an Excel file to quickly extract insights—then turn results into a client-ready PowerPoint draft. Walk away with a simple framework, ready-to-use examples, and a repeatable approach to prompting that helps you save time while improving output quality.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Wednesday, June 10 – 10:00AM
General James Mattis
Secretary of Defense (2017-2018)
A dedicated patriot, intellectual, and strategist, former Secretary of Defense and retired Marine General James N. Mattis exemplifies principled leadership in times of turbulence.
One of the preeminent leaders of his generation, Gen James Mattis has spent nearly 50 years in the service of his country. Renowned for his diligent study of war, and his dogged efforts on the battlefield, Gen Mattis is described as a principled commander who isn't afraid to tell it like it is.
A rare combination of thinker and doer, and scholar and strategist, Gen Mattis knows the monumental powers and responsibility of our military forces, and the challenges of our dangerous and complex world. His matchless dedication to his job and country earned him universal respect and reverence – from allies and adversaries alike.
Gen Mattis served as the 26th Secretary of Defense of the United States for nearly two years before resigning with distinction. With his reputation as a sharp analyst and venerable wartime leader, Gen Mattis received nearly unanimous, bipartisan support for his nomination. A living Marine Corps legend, he made history by securing special permission from Congress to lead the Pentagon, sooner than he was eligible.
As Secretary of Defense, Mattis preferred not to play politics – a quality that boosted admiration for the retired general. Instead, he focused on making combat readiness one of his main priorities, and served as the primary author of a new American defense strategy whose central goal was to take on "revisionist" powers that "seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models."
Viewed as the steady hand in tumultuous times, he championed building a network of alliances and strategic partnerships around the world. \
"Our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships," then Secretary Mattis wrote in a letter to President Trump. Without maintaining those alliances, he says, we cannot protect our interests or serve the role of an indispensable nation in the free world.
His resolve to amass and maintain positive relations with key countries served as a premier example of professionalism and stability in a political landscape wrought with unpredictability.
During his 44 years in the Marines, Gen Mattis rose from an 18-year-old reservist to the highest rank of four-star general. He capped off his military career as head of the U.S. Central Command, where he was in charge of all American forces serving in the Middle East and oversaw operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as parts of Syria, Iran, and Yemen. He retired from the post in 2013. It would be just four years later, in 2017, that he would answer the call to serve again, as the first member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet cleared to take office.
A veteran of three wars, Gen Mattis spent much of his career involved in overseas conflict. Described by colleagues and his staff as brave, honest, and humble, Gen Mattis proved to be an exceptional motivator of Marines and developed a leading style that endeared him to his troops.
"Believe so completely in subordinates they have no choice but to believe in themselves; act from integrity and authenticity, let your very goodness put ambition out of context," he counsels. As part of his "hearts and minds" approach to counterinsurgency operations, Gen Mattis established the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning, which remains active today. The academy for Marine officers and senior enlisted personnel provides cultural awareness and language skills training to ensure units can operate effectively in complex expeditionary environments.
A patriot who always put country above self, Gen Mattis steeped himself in the history and tradition of the military and dedicated himself to the Marine Corps.
Gen Mattis speaks with candor and thoughtful analysis about the threats that face our nation and
military. Humorous, compassionate, and strategic, he also offers insightful lessons in leadership, with a deep focus on the art of empowering individuals.
Tuesday, June 9 – 4:00PM
Judy Smith
Best known as “The Fixer®”, Judy Smith is a world-renowned Crisis Management Expert and entrepreneur who serves as Founder and CEO of Smith & Company, a strategic advisory firm considered to be one of the top crisis firms in the world. For more than 25 years, she has served as an advisor for a host of corporate, celebrity, non-profit and government clients providing strategic counsel to help individuals and organizations navigate challenging issues. Prior to founding her firm, Ms. Smith served as Deputy Press Secretary and Special Assistant to President George H. W. Bush. Her ground-breaking work inspired the hit TV show SCANDAL, and her book Good Self…Bad Self: How to Bounce Back from a Personal Crisis incorporated years of experience to help readers develop the tools to face mistakes and overcome them.
2026 REGISTRATION FEES
UNSUBSIDIZED ATTENDANCE
Attendance at the APIC conference is subsidized by the support of our Asset Management Partners and sponsors. If you may not receive such support, you may elect to attend as an unsubsidized attendee.
$3000
FIRM MANAGEMENT
Home Office or Field members of management who are non-producing.
$995
MEMBERS
If you are a sole-advisor and member of APIC, or if your team has a Team Membership
$695
SOCIAL GUESTS
Friends/Family of attendees who do not work for a competing firm. These attendees may only attend cocktail receptions and the Monday Night social event. APIC does not profit from this fee.
$400
NON MEMBERS
Sole-Advisor Members may bring one non-member attendee who must serve in their practice (such as an analyst or CSA)
$895
PLEASE READ DETAILS BELOW REGARDING ADDITIONAL COSTS & REQUIREMENTS
As a member-supported organization, speakers are asked to pay their respective registration fee regardless of registrant type.
2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SUBJECT TO CHANGE (Last Updated 3/16/2026) - Full agenda available here
MONDAY, JUNE 8
11:45AM
Optional Breakout Sessions (See Above)
2:00PM – 5:00PM
General Sessions
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Cocktail Reception with Asset Managers
6:30PM
APIC Opening Night Dinner
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
6:00AM
5K Fun Run -or- Walk & Talk (optional)
7:00AM
Breakfast
8:00AM – 9:00AM
Concurrent Breakouts
9:00AM – 10:00AM
Concurrent Breakouts
10:00AM – 11:00AM
General Session
11:00AM – 1:00PM
The Social Network & Lunch
1:00PM – 2:00PM
Concurrent Breakouts
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Concurrent Breakouts
3:00PM – 4:00PM
General Session
4:00PM – 5:15PM
Keynote Speaker: Judy Smith
5:15PM – 6:30PM
Cocktail Reception with Asset Managers
7:00PM
Asset Manager Dinearounds
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
7:00AM
Breakfast
7:30AM
Optional Advisor Rankings & Trends Discussion
8:20AM – 9:10AM
Concurrent Breakouts
9:20AM – 10:10AM
General Session
10:10AM – 11:00AM
General Session
11:15AM – 1:00PM
Complimentary Buses to Salt Lake International Airport (no registration required, scattered departures to be announced)
FINE PRINT & FAQs
FEES
Attendees receive:
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Attendance at all APIC educational sessions
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Attendance at all APIC meal functions as listed in the agenda
The fees listed above do not include:
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Hotel room costs (see HOTEL below)
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Travel costs, airfare, parking, transfers, etc.
HOTEL
The Grand America Hotel
555 Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (801) 258-6000
Group Rate (paid by attendee):
$299.00 per night, plus tax (currently 12.92%) if booked by Wednesday, May 6, 2026. APIC cannot guarantee the rate after this date.
HOW TO BOOK:
APIC is holding a block of rooms for the Conference. Instructions for booking your room in the APIC block will be provided during Registration.
Check-In: 3:00 PM
Check-Out: 11:00 AM
Early check-in requests are not guaranteed and are based on availability the day or arrival. Late check-out requests are handled similarly.
All guest rooms are non-smoking.
CE CREDIT
CE Credit will be offered for CIMA/CPWA/RMA and CFP. Credits acknowledged by other designations may also be transferred - please check with your accrediting organization for more information.
CE credit will be announced for sessions 2-3 weeks before the event. Historically, APIC has offered approximately 8 hours of CFP and 12-15 hours of CIMA/CPWA/RMA credit at this conference.
GUESTS & SPOUSES
• Due to compliance reasons, guests may not attend any content sessions - this includes all breakouts and general sessions.
• Social Guests will be permitted on a first-come, first-serve basis and may only attend designated functions. All guests are subject to approval by APIC before attendance is granted. APIC does not guarantee guest space is available if not registered in advance of the event and before the registration cut-off date.
• Social Guests may not be employed by an asset management firm or service provider. Additionally, Social Guests may not be employed by other financial institutions other than Morgan Stanley.
• Social Guests must be over the age of 21.
• APIC extends a discount to members who attend the annual conference below the actual cost of food & services provided. Guests who attend events are expected to pay for the actual costs associated with their attendance. The cost for guests in 2026 is $400.
• You will be given the option to register a guest during the Conference Registration process. If you would like to register a guest after your Registration is complete, please e-mail elyse@apicms.org
TRAVEL
Suggested arrival time is a flight that lands no later than 12:30PM on Monday, June 8. If you intend to attend a pre-conference session, an arrival time of 11am is suggested.
AIRPORT:
The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
is 8 miles and about a 15-minute drive to The Grand America Hotel.
The Grand America Hotel DOES NOT have an airport shuttle, so please review the following transportation options:
RIDESHARE:
Lyft and Uber are available in Salt Lake City and services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CAR SERVICE:
As preferred partners to The Grand America Hotel, Driver Provider can provide transportation for all size parties. Please call the concierge at The Grand America for advance reservations and Meet & Greet services; 801-258-6703. Charges for transportation can be placed directly onto your hotel bill.
PARKING:
The Grand America Hotel provides valet and self-park parking options. Current valet parking rate: $34 + tax USD and current self-parking rate: $24 + tax USD for overnight, including in-and-out privileges.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AFG/BDA
& TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
All travel expenses related to the APIC Conference (hotel, taxi, parking, etc.) are the responsibility of the individual attendee.
Some members may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Management pre-approval is required. If you wish to register before obtaining approval, please do so and exit before submitting payment. APIC will hold your registration while you obtain approval.
If you wish to receive reimbursement for your hotel costs, you may need to submit an eReq in advance. This applies even though you are not booking the hotel through the MS travel agency. For more information, type ENC into your firm browser. We also have a page with basic information on how to complete the form, available here.
ATTIRE
Business Casual attire (no tie required!) will be appropriate during the evening festivities on Monday night and Conference on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Temperatures in Salt Lake City are warm and dry; indoor meeting rooms can be quite chilly with air conditioning, so please plan accordingly.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Payment – You will need to provide a credit card on the secure Conference Registration website. In addition, all attendees will be required to present a credit card upon check-in at the hotel for payment of the room and any incidentals.
The deadline for attendees to cancel from the conference without penalty is 2:00 PM EDT on Monday, June 1st. After this date, the following penalties will apply:
• CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE: 100%
• GUEST ROOM CHARGES
APIC Reserves the right to deduct late cancellation charges from registration fees before any refund is made.
