2026 FPA NorCal Conference
Speaker Information
We are delighted that you have accepted our invitation
Please bookmark this page!
Our objectives for the conference are clear:
Excellence
Deliver a program that upholds the highest educational standards for financial planners.
Relationships
Provide exceptional networking opportunities.
Fulfillment
Ensure that your experience as a speaker is both rewarding and memorable.
About the FPA NorCal Conference
The FPA NorCal Conference Committee is comprised of chapter members from the four San Francisco Bay Area FPA Chapters (San Francisco, East Bay, Silicon Valley, and Northern California). The committee plans this conference with the intention that it is a peak event for financial planning professionals. 2026 will be our 54th year with a reputation as one of the best in the country. Michael Kitces consistently names FPA NorCal as the “Best Overall Conference for Financial Planners” on his blog highlighting the best conferences for financial advisors.
2026 FPA NorCal Conference
Speaker Important Dates
Due by Friday, November 14, 2025
(or sooner!)
(or sooner!)
If you have not already done so, complete the Speaker Information Form:
Presentation Information
- Your presentation title – needs to be approved by the committee. (Title needs to be under 100 characters, including spaces, due to website constraints.)
- An accurate presentation description. This is essential. Attendees will choose to attend your session based in large part on your presentation description. The short description should match the content.
- Level of complexity (intermediate or advanced)
- At least one learning objective. (required to submit for CE credit) CE credit evaluation by the CFP Board of Standards is based on your title, presentation description, level of complexity, and learning objectives –
to be submitted to the CFP Board by the Conference Committee. In addition, we will be submitting to FINRA for IAR CE and IWI for CIMA CE credit
Contact Information – Includes
- Contact info for our use (we do not publicize your cell number, unless you authorize that – it is just for internal use, in case we need to contact you prior to or during the conference)
- Contact information that you authorize us to publish on the website and on the Conference App.
Audio Release
- The Conference records audio of your presentation and video of your PowerPoint. After the Conference, the recording and presentation materials will be posted for a limited time on the FPA NorCal website with
access ONLY by attendees.
Photo head shot
- (JPEG or PNG at least 72dpi and 800×800 pixels)
Biography
- please keep this short: 200 words maximum.
Due the week of January 5, 2026 - Contact Your Speaker Liason
Set date/time to speak to Speaker Liaison to review presentation details, introductions, travel (if needed), and hotel accommodations
Due Friday, February 13, 2026 - Finalize Hotel with Speaker Liason
Be sure to provide your hotel reservation dates to your Speaker Liaison. Your hotel room reservation will be made by our Conference Director, Marie Rios.
Please do NOT make your own reservation.
Your hotel reservation is complementary (number of nights determined by your point of origin). Be mindful of airline reservations, if required. See Speaker Expense document for more info, click button below.
If you would like to add additional room nights at your cost, please let your Speaker Liaison know and we will reserve for you. Additional nights are $329 per night plus tax and any service charges.
The hotel room block closes May 1, 2026.
Due Friday, February 27, 2026 - Provide Final Presentation PPT
Final PPT presentation sent to Speaker Liaison. We ask for these early so we have time to review them all and help you if needed.
Due Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - Travel Expenses
For reimbursement, please complete the form no later than Tuesday, June 30, 2026. To close our books for the fiscal year we cannot reimburse receipts presented after this date.
2026 FPA NorCal Conference
Presentation Requirements & Guidelines
A PowerPoint or PDF presentation is required, widescreen (16:9). Please review the font and format specifications.
If possible, please use the Conference PowerPoint widescreen (16:9) template.
- An intermediate or advanced “graduate level” presentation is critical. Your audience will be comprised primarily of financial planners with multiple years of experience who are knowledgeable leaders in the profession.
- Your presentation should be non-branded. An educational presentation with generic and useful information is the best way to present yourself as a resource to this distinctive audience. It is inappropriate during your presentation to mention a product or service you may sell. Any material that is found to cover ineligible topics, such as sales or product advertisements, marketing material, will not be granted CE credit. You may include branding and contact information on the first and last page of your presentation.
- Attendees are looking for “real life” applications and appreciate examples or case studies. Please plan for Q&A of about 10 minutes at the end of your presentation.
- Remember, people cannot read and listen at the same time! Make your slides succinct, with a readable font size. (You don’t want complaints that attendees can’t read the font on the screen!)
- PowerPoint presentation in Widescreen format (16:9) download template • Black text, white or light background • You may use the Conference Widescreen (16:9) template provided by your Speaker Liaison.
FAQs
Dates and Schedule
Conference Dates: Tuesday, May 26, and Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Location: The Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery, San Francisco
Conference Info posted on our website –www.fpanorcal.org:
- We will post on the website your speaker topic/description/photo/bio at the end of November.
- Conference Registration is currently open and we ask attendees to let us know which sessions they are most interested in attending.
- A detailed schedule of all speakers will be posted on the website in February 2026
Conference Registration for Speakers
Your Conference registration is complimentary. The FPA NorCal Conference Director will reserve your room per your confirmation of nights by your Committee Speaker Liaison.
Please do NOT make your own hotel reservation.
At the hotel, check in at the Speaker Registration Room on the second floor to receive your nametag. Enjoy other sessions, keynote speakers, networking, and luncheons. If you plan to arrive only for your session, please arrive at least ONE HOUR before your presentation start time.
Additional Participants
To register others who want to see your presentation, please use the online registration on the Conference website. We are happy to extend the FPA member early bird price to anyone you want to register. Let us know and we’ll provide a code for them to use when registering.
Thanks for understanding that we do not provide complimentary passes for staff, helpers, guests, or family to see “just your presentation,” the keynotes, or to participate in any other parts of the Conference. Space is limited and we want to make sure our attendees can join their desired speaker sessions.
Questions?
Contact your Speaker Liaison. They want to make sure you have everything you need.
Mira Ma
Program Co-Chair
speakers@fpanorcal.org
Laura Pantaleo
Program Co-Chair
speakers@fpanorcal.org
Marie Rios
Conference Director
marie@fpanorcal.org
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