Schwab Advisor Services discloses IMPACT 2024 details -- think Jon Beatty, AI experts and Dan Pink; it veils the venue, but ... psssstt
The $9.5-trillion brokerage shows its heart is still in San Francisco, and of course, it's hosting at the Moscone Center, featuring new head Jon Beatty, Rick Wurster and Walt Bettinger [no Bernie or Chuck]
4 min read
Brooke's Note: With the possible exception of just-completed FutureProof, nobody consistently throws first-rate, large-scale RIA events like Schwab Advisor Services with its IMPACT series. Here comes another one with a brilliant touch -- the grand finale will feature Train at the incomparable Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. But there is an oddness this year; as it happens – somewhat inexplicably – in the city it departed for Texas just three years ago. It shows up in funny ways. Read on.
Schwab Advisor Services today disclosed details of its 34th Schwab IMPACT event for RIAs, but tried to keep close to its vest – but not close enough – the city and venue where it's taking place.
Though the release mentions San Francisco, the venue goes unnamed. Asked about it by email, a Schwab spokeswoman did not respond.
But the Moscone Center, where most large San Francisco events are held, has blocked out a “Confidential Event” on its website for Nov. 19 through Nov. 21, which coincides with IMPACT.
The Moscone Center was ground zero for the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic and homeless crisis that hit San Francisco's downtown. Many encampments – now gone – surrounded it, and it became the city's vaccination center.
The short press release – issued two months to the day ahead of IMPACT's start - reveals that first-year RIA head Jon Beatty will be featured. He'll be sharing Schwab’s RIA industry outlook.
Future Proof 2023 weathered a rare LA rainstorm and a shower of 'skepticism,' but grew by two hotels, 109 sponsors, 1,200 attendees and 16,000 micro-meetings -- and it's only the beginning
His two Charles Schwab Corp. bosses, President Rick Wurster and CEO and co-chairman Walter Bettinger, will also speak.
Local flavor
Beatty gave a preview of his message in the release.
“The future is one in which the independent model is going to continue to grow and thrive, and we are proud to stand by firms of all sizes to help them deliver fiduciary advice to a growing number of investors.”
The release did not mention long-time RIA head Bernie Clark, who is now a Schwab consultant, or local resident and Schwab co-Chairman, Charles R. “Chuck” Schwab, the firm's 87-year-old founder.
Story Timeline
The Schwab IMPACT 2024 website does not disclose the venue but mentions it and provides a photograph – scrolled down -- on its travel page.
Until it moved to Westlake, Texas, in 2021, San Francisco was Schwab's headquarters city. The release does not acknowledge the connection.
Yet Schwab will give the event a local flavor.
It will host a final night celebration at the Palace of Fine Arts, “where local vendors and musicians will converge for a performance by Train, a Grammy- and Billboard Music Awards-winning band from San Francisco.”
IMPACT lineup
Here are the keynote speakers:
- Author Daniel Pink
- Radio host and workplace commentator Cam Marston
- Technologist, investor, and political strategist Dr. R. David Edelman
- Wharton professor and AI expert Ethan Mollick
- AI investor and expert Allie K. Miller
- Hospitality entrepreneur turned self-help thought leader Chip Conley
Attendees will hear from other Schwab executives, including:
- Chief Fixed Income Strategist Kathy Jones;
- Chief Global Investment Strategist Jeffrey Kleintop;
- Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders;
- Senior Investment Strategist Kevin Gordon ,
- Managing Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Michael Townsend
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