A Reason To Celebrate
In 2000, the two largest and most influential organizations promoting and advancing financial planning in the U.S. merged to form the Financial Planning Association. The leaders of the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP) and the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP) recognized the merging of their complementary objectives to create a unified “community that fosters the value of financial planning and advances the practice and profession of financial planning” would provide critical leadership for the future of the profession.
As we stand on the threshold of FPA's 25th anniversary in 2025, it is a momentous occasion that calls for reflection on our remarkable journey together over the past quarter-century. FPA has navigated through various challenges and seized numerous opportunities to advance our mission and solidify our role as the partner in planning for our Members. FPA has flourished due to the dedication and support of our Members, chapters, partners, and allied organizations.
The success of FPA is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the many individuals who have dedicated their time, expertise, and passion to promote and advance financial planning. We are grateful to those who have paved the way for FPA to become the organization it is today: from those courageous and visionary IAFP and ICFP leaders who embraced a bold vision and had the perseverance to act on it to the new generation of leaders who are driving the future of our Association and the profession FPA is privileged to lead.
To commemorate this special occasion, we are solidifying plans to make 2025 a year of celebration marked with special events and initiatives to honor FPA's legacy, recognize those who led the way, and look ahead to our Association’s incredibly bright future. We anticipate sharing all we have in store in the coming months and look forward to sharing this amazing milestone with all of you. Thank you for being an essential part of FPA's journey!
And speaking of celebrating, I am delighted to share several recent and notable achievements by FPA and our community that deserve acknowledgment and celebration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law AB 2927, a significant milestone for FPA of California. This new law mandates that all high school students, starting with the 2030-31 graduating class, must complete a standalone half-credit course in financial literacy. FPA of California’s unwavering advocacy for this legislation over the past 12 years has finally borne fruit. Let’s celebrate their dedicated efforts to support the financial wellness of the next generation!
We have seen a surge of excitement for many FPA events and programs, and their success is worth celebrating. FPA Residency this past spring and FPA NexGen Gathering in August were both sell-out events, a testament to their popularity and value. FPA Retreat received some of its best reviews in years, and the energy at the event was palpable. The Best Financial Planners program with Money had over 1,000 completed questionnaires. We also announced fantastic award winners, including the P. Kemp Fain, Jr. Award, the Heart of Financial Planning Award, the Power of Financial Planning Award, and the Montgomery-Warschauer Award. These successes are a testament to the strength and vibrancy of our community, and we look forward to more such events in the future.
As we reflect on our achievements this year thus far, we also look forward to the future with great anticipation. There's much to celebrate at FPA, and I'm excited about the prospect of celebrating more with you next year during FPA’s 25th anniversary! I encourage you to join us for the upcoming events and be part of our continued success.
In Case You Missed It
- Yesterday at FPA Annual Conference 2024, we were excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Best Financial Planners, a collaboration between FPA and Money, highlighting 80 outstanding CFP® professional members of FPA. This initiative aims to raise awareness of financial planning among millions of Americans, showcasing the exceptional work of financial planners nationwide. The list, developed through a comprehensive questionnaire and evaluation process (led exclusively by Money.com), features financial planners with exceptional qualifications, trustworthiness, and versatility. Congratulations to all the honorees and keep an eye out for details on completing your questionnaire for the 2025 list!
- I’m pleased to share that FPA Retreat 2025 will be held at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Resort and Conference Center from April 28-30, 2025. A serene 150-acre estate with the Audubon-certified 18-hole Willow Crest Golf Club surrounds the property. Everything we need to make FPA Retreat 2025 a memorable experience is there, including a lakefront outdoor pool, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, a spa, two golf simulators, and restaurants. Registration is now open with special early bird pricing, so plan to join us in Chicago next April!
- If you didn’t attend the FPA NexGen Gathering in August, you missed an incredible event! So, plan to join us for FPA NexGen Gathering 2025, held at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista from August 26-28, 2025. This terrific property is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel, and attendees will have access to exclusive Disney benefits, including being directly connected to Disney Springs. Early bird registration for FPA NexGen Gathering is now open with huge savings, so register now!
Thank you for the privilege of your Membership.
Sincerely,
