As we’re nearing the halfway point of 2025, the F2 team wanted to reflect on some of the industry events we’ve attended in Q2. We outlined a few of the major topics that the industry has been buzzing about, as well as the positive changes we’re beginning to see in the industry.
Future Proof Retreat
AI Implementation | Networking | Client Experience
In attendance: Doug Fritz, Bryce Carter
Future Proof Retreat took place at the Broadmoor, a five-star hotel established in the late 1940s, where their exemplary client service gave a micro view into the importance of client experience for advisors and industry professionals. Future Proof has historically recognized that its benefits aren’t just in its panels, but in the connections that are forged with other attendees. We think these moments of magic during unstructured time where attendees go off-script and can cloister up to chat about what they’re seeing in the industry bring real value to attending this event.
This year, we noticed a large shift in the conversation around AI, especially on how it’s living up to the hype that’s surrounded it in previous conferences. While talking with peers, we heard how RIA firms of all sizes are engaging with AI. Of course, the large players in the space are doing impressive things, but small and medium-sized firms are utilizing AI to scale faster and stay competitive. We continue to see opportunities for bank trust companies and others to lean in and explore how they can utilize AI for operational efficiencies.
INSITE 2025
Growth Strategies | Client Experience | Next-Gen Advisors
In attendance: Jaci Stanton, Scott Lamont
INSITE 2025 gave us plenty of opportunities to connect with BNY clients and other firms. Overall, we engaged in many technology conversations (particularly on AI), but also around growth topics like mergers, acquisitions, and inorganic growth. A central throughline for all these topics was firm culture, specifically, how different generations of advising audiences can come together to drive transformation and improve the advisor and client experience.
It was enlightening to be part of one INSITE event where current college students had the opportunity to network with employees from participating firms. It was refreshing to hear the “why” from this newest emerging generation, particularly how they are united around the emotional and psychological factors of financial health – not just as returns on an investment portfolio, but as part of overall well being.
Jolt!
MarTech Thought Leadership | Brand Storytelling | AI Implementation
In attendance: Liz Fritz, Michelle Borkowski
This was our first time attending Jolt!, which demonstrated how exciting the MarTech space has become. We’re seeing an increased effort for marketing and technology teams to work more closely together to tell their firm’s authentic story and drive more human connections in the wealth management industry. In an increasingly competitive online space, marketing teams are recognizing how valuable it is to share their brand values and their differentiators as succinctly as possible. Similarly, technology teams are considering how to carefully implement AI solutions and quickly evolving technology to tackle operational and regulatory tasks, which allows advisors and faculty to focus on their clients.
That spirit of authenticity rang consistently throughout Jolt!, demonstrating how the industry continues to change. The diversity of conference attendees showed the breadth of how creativity and business collide. By focusing on brand authenticity, Jolt created an open and vulnerable environment to connect with other marketing and technology professionals. We are looking forward to seeing what Jolt has to offer during their next conference in 2027!
Where To Next
In the coming months, look for F2 team members at conferences like Future Proof Festival, the Association of Trust Organizations Annual Meeting, and the Trust User Group / Global Plus User Group conference.
Continue the conversation with us to learn how we help wealth management firms implement critical technology and marketing strategies to optimize growth.
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