Understanding the self-managed super fund lifecycle and knowing how to use that knowledge to benefit clients is the theme of the 2015 SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) National Conference – the pre-eminent event on the SMSF calendar.
The conference, to be held in Melbourne at the Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18–20 February, will be appropriately titled “Lifecycle” and boasts more than 36 conference sessions, 50 expert speakers, the world’s largest SMSF exhibition and numerous networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
SPAA CEO Andrea Slattery says: “This conference will break new ground. For the first time an SMSF conference will focus on trustees, their behaviours and motivations, and how this changes during the three stages of the SMSF lifecycle – accumulation, transition and drawdown.
“It will look at how the different professions servicing the SMSF sector approach the trustee’s lifecycle, and why understanding their particular circumstances and motivations are the key to developing the correct strategies for them.”
Graeme Colley, SPAA’s Director Technical and Professional Standards, who heads the National Conference committee, says: “Every year we face the challenge of making the national conference bigger and better than the year before.
“We know the importance that our members place on the National Conference in terms of technical content, industry updates, networking, and socialising, so the onus is on us to ensure it continues to be the premier event on the SMSF calendar
“Once again we have a high-powered list of speakers including another plenary session that will have the three regulators (ASIC, the ATO and APRA), as well as the Federal Treasury.
“I know from the feedback I got last year how much delegates got from this session, and I am confident the representatives of these four key government bodies will again deliver some fascinating insights into the SMSF sector and the superannuation industry more broadly.
“We have also managed to entice academic Michael Drew to present on the topic of how behavioural issues and what people want influences decision making in superannuation, and Andrea will address the issue of “The SMSF advantage – For all life stages?”
“She will outline why SMSFs are unique and show how the current system is working well to meet the needs of Australians, highlighting the importance of the emerging SMSF profession to help trustees achieve their retirement goals throughout their life.”
Colley says the conference is not all about hard work. Over the three days there will be several social events as well as networking opportunities this event always affords time for.
Registrations are now open, with Early Bird offers available until 30 November, so make sure you secure your seat. In addition, there is the opportunity for industry professionals to sign up as a SPAA member to take advantage of the pro rata annual membership.
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