What went down at Barron's Top Independent Advisors Summit in the Arizona desert
Many of the biggest and best RIA stars showed up and put Bernie Clark, Mike Durbin, Tom Nally, Mark Tibergien, Bill Dwyer, Charles Goldman and Barnaby Grist in one room
Fidelity
|Pershing
|TD Ameritrade
|LPL
|Barron's
|Cetera
|Carson Wealth Management
|Stark and Stark
|Swhab
Elmer Rich III
It would be productive if the industry was, and it’s leaders were, mature enough to not make conferences just about sales pitches. Also, having presentations based on independent and objective evidence and research would be useful.
Of course, the hype, “happy talk” and self congratulations are just tactics supporting non-stop sales pitches.
Imagine if doctor’s professional conferences were similarly self- congratulatory and sales-driven? What would patient’s think? What would our medical care be like? That would be scary.
There is just a baseline inability to face and discuss substantive matters at financial services conferences. For example, so called “best practices.” What is the evidence, research supporting any of these claims? None. It’s just story-telling, and anecdotal experience. Guess work and opinions — at best.
Does anyone offer independent validation that their latest products and offerings work? No.
But ours is a young profession. It will take a few decades to reach maturity — hopefully. In the meantime — ho hum.
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