Designed Securities offers financial advisors an in-person event focused on transparency, authentic dialogue, and actionable insights—challenging industry norms and inspiring meaningful growth
Sponsorship note: This article is sponsored by Designed Securities.
As the days grow shorter, autumn brings a natural pause—a season for reflection, for setting goals, and for preparing for the year ahead. For many financial advisors, it’s also the time to decide which wealth management and investment conferences are worth attending in the upcoming year. With busy schedules and countless industry events competing for attention, advisors must carefully choose which ones will offer real value. Networking, discovering new trends, and gaining insights are essential, but not every conference delivers on these promises.
This is where Designed Securities found a niche. Each October, they host an annual conference designed to stand out in a crowded industry. This year’s theme was “culture, collaboration, and customization”. More than just an opportunity to connect with peers, it’s an event shaped by transparency, open dialogue, and authenticity—qualities that are often lacking in traditional conferences. “The truth is, we could have had a simultaneous virtual feed, like many of our competitors, but it’s impossible to replicate the energy, trust, and raw dialogue that happens face-to-face,” Konopaski explains.
In an industry full of scripted presentations, predictable formats, and a focus on a dealer’s proprietary products, Designed’s event provides a refreshing contrast. His team has crafted an experience that aligns with autumn’s spirit of reflection and transition, helping advisors reconnect with their purpose, explore real industry issues, and set a strong foundation for the coming year.
Curating speaking topics that challenge the status quo
Designed Securities is selective with its speaking topics and presenters, focusing on voices that push boundaries rather than reinforce the status quo. This year’s agenda included a speaker from Aviso Wealth who offered a practical look at artificial intelligence for advisors, moving beyond the hype to show how AI can improve daily workflows. “Most advisors aren’t even using ChatGPT,” Konopaski notes. “They want to know how AI will actually impact their work, not just theoretical advancements.”
Another session, titled “What Scares You in the Next 12 Months?” invited speakers to cut to the chase and confront real industry challenges and uncertainties. These topics, too bold for many conferences, resonate with the firm’s audience. By choosing speakers who don’t shy away from tough questions, Konopaski’s team ensures that advisors leave the conference with fresh, actionable insights they can’t get elsewhere. The conference is filled with opportunities to take conversations in directions you normally can’t.
Balancing content and compliance with advisor-centric sessions
In an industry governed by strict regulations, hosting a conference for financial advisors means navigating complex compliance rules. Konopaski’s team expertly balances these constraints with content that advisors truly want. Product presentations, often the focus at other conferences, are limited to less than two hours over the three-day event, ensuring that sponsors don’t overshadow the educational value. “Our advisors are here to learn and engage, not just sit through sales pitches the entire week,” he explains.
This advisor-first approach doesn’t go unnoticed by sponsors. The largest asset managers in Canada value the chance to connect with Designed Securities’ audience on a more authentic level. “For many asset managers, this conference is a rare opportunity to meet independent advisors who aren’t tied to proprietary products,” Konopaski shares. By keeping the conference’s focus on advisors’ needs, Designed offers an experience that stands out from the crowd.
While many conferences have shifted to hybrid or virtual formats, Designed Securities remains committed to in-person gatherings. The firm understands that there is a unique energy in face-to-face interactions that can’t be replicated online. This exclusivity adds to the appeal, creating a strong sense of community among attendees who value the opportunity to speak freely without concern for being recorded or scrutinized publicly. “If you want the real story, you have to be here in person,” Konopaski says, acknowledging that advisors who attend in person experience something truly unique.
Designed Securities’ event attracts a distinct group of advisors who value autonomy and independence. Unlike large, corporate-run conferences where attendees remain faceless among hundreds, this event fosters a personal and intimate setting where each advisor’s voice is heard. It’s an environment that celebrates independent thinking, allowing advisors to engage on a level that feels both professional and deeply personal. Designed also curates opportunities for better networking by intentionally introducing the attendees to one another based on known interests, common practice elements, and product interests.
For advisors who find themselves with competing priorities and the task of carefully choosing between multiple industry events each fall, the Designed Wealth Management conference offers something rare: a truly authentic, deeply engaging experience that aligns with the season’s spirit of reflection and renewal. By prioritizing transparency, balancing regulatory constraints with valuable content, and fostering real, in-person connections, this conference goes beyond the typical promises of networking and trend-spotting.
