Inside the 2026 Private Advisor Group Conference: Perspectives from our Team
Private Advisor Group (PAG) is one of our key partners, and each year they host a conference for affiliated advisors across the country. This year’s event, held in Boston from March 8–10, brought together roughly 440 advisors from 34 states, along with 37 PAG home office staff and a wide range of industry sponsors spanning investment management, insurance, technology, and client service.
Rather than simply summarizing the event, we wanted to share firsthand perspectives from two of our advisors Pat and AJ, who attended and brought back valuable insights for our team and our clients.
Pat's Experience: Focusing on Being Better for Clients
Pat approached the conference with a personal goal: finding ways to better serve clients in a constantly changing world. Here are his reflections:
“The first part of being better for my clients is taking care of myself. If I’m not at 100%, it’s hard to be fully present for them.
One of the sessions I attended, presented by Sealy & Company, really emphasized advisor energy, focus, and fulfillment. It reinforced the importance of maintaining habits that allow me to recharge so I can show up at my best, for both my clients and my family.
Fortunately, at HighPoint Advisors, we’ve built a system that supports that kind of balance. I’m able to delegate administrative responsibilities so I can focus on client needs, and I structure my schedule intentionally, blocking time during the day, limiting the number of meetings, and being mindful about evening appointments. That balance is critical.
Another session, from Fidelity Investments, focused on how different generations of clients have very different expectations of their advisor. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha all approach financial planning differently.
That really reinforced the importance of adapting our service model. It also highlighted the need to bring families together, when appropriate, to have more open conversations about money and wealth transfer. Every client has different priorities, fears, and levels of understanding, so the questions we ask need to reflect that.
I also attended a session from T. Rowe Price focused on coaching clients. To me, coaching means approaching conversations with curiosity, courage, and compassion. It’s about asking ‘why’ and encouraging clients to share more, so I can better understand where they’re coming from when making decisions.
Sometimes I can be very direct in meetings, which might come across as blunt, but my goal is always to help clients succeed. Making sure we’re aligned and working toward shared goals is critical.
This session also highlighted that certain groups, like younger wealthy investors, individuals going through major life events, and women are especially receptive to this coaching approach. It reaffirmed what I’m already doing, while also giving me ideas on how to go even deeper in understanding what matters most to my clients.”
AJ's Experience: Preparing for the Future of our Business
AJ’s focus at the conference was centered more on the future, how the industry is evolving and how we can continue delivering excellent service as our firm grows. Here are his reflections:
“One of the biggest themes that stood out to me was artificial intelligence. It’s not going away, so I made a point to attend multiple sessions on the topic.
One session from Advisors Asset Management explored the technical side, things like energy demand, data usage, and security, as well as the next phases of AI, including agentic models. The message was clear: this is coming, and it’s something we need to understand, not fear.
Another session from Raymond James took a more practical approach, comparing the different AI tools people are using today, like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot. It was helpful to see how they differ and where each one can be most useful, especially within financial services.
I also attended a session from First Eagle Investments focused on helping teams like ours take our service model to the next level. These types of sessions have always been valuable to me, and this one didn’t disappoint.
A big theme was consistency, across processes like onboarding, client reviews, communication, and internal operations. It also reinforced the importance of having a strong, well-supported team. At HighPoint Advisors, our people are the most important part of what we do, so that message really resonated with me.
Another important takeaway was around serving women clients. One session included a simple but powerful message: ‘women are not a niche.’ While we already recognize that, it’s surprising how often the industry still falls short here.
The session focused on understanding different communication styles and preferences, and emphasized things like asking open-ended questions, avoiding overly product-focused conversations, engaging both spouses equally, and encouraging participation.
It was a great reminder of the importance of treating every client with respect and tailoring our approach to their individual needs.”
Combined Takeaways
One of the highlights each year is also the opportunity to hear directly from fellow advisors. A peer panel focused on creating efficiencies and improving client service reinforced many of the systems we already have in place at HighPoint Advisors, while also giving us new ideas to consider.
In addition to the breakout sessions, the conference included a number of memorable moments: from a Boston Harborfest-inspired dinner reception to keynote presentations by Scott Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain, and Jamie Clarke, a world-renowned adventurer and entrepreneur who shared his experience summiting Mount Everest.
Beyond the sessions and speakers, what stands out most from this year’s conference is how much the industry continues to evolve, and how important it is to stay intentional about growing with it.
Final Thoughts
From new technologies like artificial intelligence to more personalized approaches in client relationships, the themes Pat and AJ brought back all point to the same idea: delivering great advice today requires both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the people we serve.
What’s especially valuable about attending events like this isn’t just the information itself, but the opportunity to step back, reflect, and refine how we operate as a team. Whether it’s improving how we communicate with clients, strengthening our internal processes, or continuing to adapt to changing expectations, these insights help ensure we’re always moving in the right direction.
We’re grateful to be part of a network like Private Advisor Group that creates space for these conversations, and even more excited to bring these ideas back to our clients in meaningful ways.
All in all, it was another worthwhile conference, and we’re looking forward to building on these insights and reconnecting with our peers again in 2027.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.
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