CFP Board today announced the agenda for its second annual Connections Conference, which will bring together financial planning professionals, educators and industry innovators. The Connections Conference will provide timely insights on topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), tax and estate planning, working with diverse clients and the psychology of financial planning, delivering strategies CFP® professionals can implement immediately.
The conference will be held October 6-8 in Chicago at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
“This isn’t your average financial services conference — we are convening the entire financial advice ecosystem,” said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. “From firm leaders to researchers, CFP Board is creating a space for real collaboration and practical insight that moves the profession forward.”
Continuing Education and Professional Growth
CFP® professionals attending the conference can earn up to 15 CE credits — including in ethics and the psychology of financial planning — while advancing their knowledge and meeting certification requirements. Sessions will cover topics ranging from regulatory changes to retirement.
A Multifaceted, Topical Platform
Attendees can expect a dynamic program featuring:
- Policy updates from Washington, D.C., and their impact on your practice.
- Techniques for succession planning, employee recruitment and retention.
- Strategies for helping clients through marital conflict, loss and grief.
- Groundbreaking research shaping the future of financial planning.
- Networking and recruitment opportunities.
- Pro bono best practices for serving underserved communities.
Keynote Speakers
Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, MBA, CFP®, Director of the Charles Schwab Board of Directors
Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, CFP® is a nationally recognized authority on financial literacy and corporate social responsibility. A former Charles Schwab executive and advisor to two U.S. presidential councils, she has shaped national policy, led major nonprofit initiatives and expanded financial education for millions. Schwab-Pomerantz serves on Charles Schwab’s Board of Directors and Risk Committee.
Schwab-Pomerantz will share insights on career growth, increasing women’s participation in financial planning and expanding access to financial education.
Kay Firth-Butterfield, CEO of Good Tech Advisory
Kay Firth-Butterfield is a leading global expert on AI governance. A former Head of Artificial Intelligence & Quantum and member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, she was the world’s first Chief AI Ethics Officer. A barrister, former judge, professor and entrepreneur, she has authored books on human rights, AI and modern slavery. Her upcoming book, “Co-Existing with AI – A Guide,” will be published in November 2025. She also serves on the boards of several prominent organizations focused on responsible AI.
Firth-Butterfield will discuss the responsible use of AI, and how it can transform financial planning, improve decision-making and drive innovation in financial services.
Jim Obergefell, Plaintiff in the Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Equality Case
A self-described accidental activist, Jim Obergefell found himself in the role of caregiver for his partner of more than 20 years, John, as he neared the end of his life due to ALS. An unexpected series of events led to their decision to marry, eventually taking Jim to the Supreme Court and the landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which secured marriage equality nationwide. Now a self-described purposeful activist, Obergefell is dedicated to the fight for equality, not just for the LGBTQ community, but for civil rights for all.
Obergefell will share guidance on how CFP® professionals can better engage with and support clients from diverse backgrounds.
Register Today
Registration for the Connections Conference is now open. Early registration discounts are available for those who register before July 1, 2025. For more information on the conference, including the agenda and speakers, visit CFP Board’s website, where you can also register for the Connections Conference.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Reporters interested in covering the Connections Conference should email media@cfpboard.org for registration information.
ABOUT CFP BOARD
CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board consists of two affiliated organizations focused on advancing the financial planning profession for the public’s benefit. CFP Board of Standards sets and upholds standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification — widely recognized by the public, advisors and firms as the standard for financial planners — so that the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning. CFP® certification is held by more than 100,000 people in the U.S. CFP Board Center for Financial Planning addresses diversity and workforce development challenges and conducts and publishes research that adds to the financial planning profession’s body of knowledge.
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Contacts
Joseph Feese, Director of Public Relations, P: 202-379-2305, E: media@cfpboard.org
