This past month, AJ and Pat of HighPoint Advisors, LLC traveled to Philadelphia—and not just for the history (though there’s plenty of that!). Philly was also the host city for the 2025 Private Advisor Group (PAG) Conference, making it the perfect destination for a few insightful and engaging days in The Birthplace of America.
The 2025 PAG Conference hosted an incredible gathering of over 470 participants—including advisors, their teams, PAG staff, and investment partners. With 40 advisors joining the PAG conference for the first time this year, the event fostered great opportunities for connection, learning, and reflection.
This annual conference continues to be a valuable time for us to step back, evaluate where we are operationally, double-check our compliance standards, and uncover ways to enhance our efficiency. It’s also a chance to both learn from and support fellow advisors—whether they’re just starting out or bringing decades of experience to the table.
Read on to discover what the PAG Conference had in store—featuring highlights from the general session, inspiring keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and a great dinner event.
General Session
The general session on Day 1 was definitely a standout. One of the most talked-about segments was the Advisor Panel—and for good reason. These sessions are always a favorite, and this year’s panel brought fresh perspectives and actionable insights.
During the panel, three advisors shared how they’re integrating technology into their practices and delivering personalized service across different client segments. It was a great mix of strategy, creativity, and real-world application—perfect for anyone looking to elevate their client experience, like we continuously strive to do at HighPoint Advisors, LLC.
Panels like these always bring the value. Hearing from other advisors’ personal experience and knowledge gives the session that real, relatable edge—and this one delivered.
Keynote Speakers
The keynote speakers brought powerful messages and memorable moments to the conference, each offering something unique and thought-provoking.
One of the two keynote speakers was Julius “Dr. J” Erving, the famous former professional basketball player. He spoke about the importance of resilience, mindset, and handling adversity—both on and off the court. He shared stories from his legendary basketball career, including how he learned to bounce back after tough losses. His presence and perspective brought a winning energy that truly resonated with the audience.
We also heard from Pandit Dasa, a former monk who spent fifteen years in monastic life before becoming a mindfulness and leadership expert. His talk centered around self-awareness, managing stress, and staying present in today’s fast-paced world. He even guided the entire audience through a five-minute mindfulness exercise—creating a quiet, powerful pause in the middle of a busy day.
Two very different backgrounds, two great speakers—each leaving a lasting impression.
Breakout Sessions
The breakout sessions offered a wide range of valuable insights across the advisory business. Topics included strengthening relationships by better understanding client beneficiaries, using thoughtful client segmentation to drive growth, product due diligence—a deep dive into the products we use—and exploring how AI and emerging tech can boost both efficiency and client engagement. Policy and election-related updates were also front and center, with discussions on potential tax changes and Social Security reform. On the business growth side, aligning people, systems, and strategy took the spotlight, alongside updates on Roth contributions, 529 conversions, and RMD rules.
One standout breakout session specifically focused on the importance of active listening in client interactions and beyond. Despite spending up to 80% of the day communicating, people retain only 50% of what they hear immediately, and just 17–25% after two days. To sharpen listening skills, the session included exercises that helped improve and raise awareness—simple strategies that can strengthen client relationships.
Dinner Reception
On Day 1, the evening wrapped up with a memorable dinner reception at the National Constitution Center—a unique and historic venue that added something special to the night. Surrounded by exhibits and powerful moments from U.S. history, it was a great setting to unwind, connect, and reflect.
AJ and Pat had the chance to chat with a few advisors they hadn’t met before, which made for some great conversations. And of course, they couldn’t resist snapping a few photos with the statues of our founding fathers—definitely a fun highlight of the night!
Final Takeaways
Overall, this year’s conference offered a deeper understanding of how AI can be meaningfully applied within our business. We’re excited to start exploring which tools will best support HighPoint Advisors, LLC and our clients moving forward.
One of the most powerful themes throughout the event was mental health and advisor well-being. Fit to Serve—the newly launched foundation by Private Advisor Group—was front and center. Its mission is to elevate the well-being of financial advisors by providing resources, support, and education focused on mental, physical, and financial health. The goal? Giving advisors tools to continuously strive towards being truly fit to serve their clients, communities, and themselves.
The team at HighPoint Advisors is always looking for ways to grow, evolve, and improve the client experience—and as a team, this event gave us plenty of inspiration and momentum to do just that.
AJ and Pat are looking forward to what next year’s PAG Conference will bring—this time in Boston, from March 8th to 10th, 2026.
