FPA unveils speakers for TED style FPA Professionals Congress

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The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has unveiled six of its ‘Shaping Futures’ keynote session speakers for the recently announced TED style format for this year’s FPA Professionals Congress. Taking place in Brisbane on the 18-20 November, the new format is designed to unleash new ideas and challenge the status quo.

During the sessions, thought-provoking business leaders and respected professionals from different backgrounds will share their inspirational stories and visions for the future, in ways that will ignite discussion, and encourage deep reflection. In between, financial planners will take the stage to share their experiences and views on a range of topics.

Speakers include:

• Li Cunxin: an internationally acclaimed dancer and author of the best-selling Mao’s Last Dancer
• Nigel Marsh: bestselling author, co-founder of Earth hour and a TED speaker par excellence
• Munjed Al Muderis: a world leader in osseointegration – combining robotics with humans – a life-changing technology for amputees inspired by The Terminator
• Brad Smith: a young entrepreneur who built Australia’s only motorcycle company from nothing
• Carolyn Miller: Managing Director of The Honeycomb Effect and a regular panelist on ABC TV series ‘Gruen’
• Vinh Giang: the 2013 South Australian Entrepreneur of the Year, magician and professional speaker.

Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA, said the new approach and the inclusion of exciting speakers was designed to delight, as well as challenge and disrupt thinking.

“This year’s Congress is packed with innovation and insights on how our professional community can, and needs to, shape the future. Our profession is undergoing rapid regulatory and technology-driven change and the landscape is shifting significantly. To embrace the opportunities this presents, it is vital that we have the right mindset and are equipped to stay ahead,” he said.

The FPA has already announced that award-winning journalist and broadcaster Jennifer Byrne, Futurist Chris Riddell, and Social Researcher and Thought Leader Mark McCrindle will speak at the Congress.

In addition, new workshop streams named ‘Expand’, ‘Grow’, ‘Engage’ and ‘Inspire’ will include a mix of 24 sessions covering diverse areas from technology, through to client communication and people management.

Mr Rantall emphasised that the workshop program had been built by planners, for planners. Each workshop topic had been road-tested and selected based on the needs of financial planners, to ensure they are equipped to operate in the ever changing professional environment, he said.

The Congress program offers delegates an opportunity to earn up to 14.5 CPD hours.

To register for the FPA Professionals Congress, please visit: www.fpacongress.com.au.