Welcome from the AFS President!It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2019 Academy of Financial Services Annual Meeting, the 34th anniversary of the AFS. We gather at this annual meeting and conference each year due to our common interest in the teaching and practice of financial planning and financial services, as described in our mission statement:
- To encourage basic and applied research in the area of personal financial planning and financial services
- To encourage the development of the curricula in the financial services field at the university level
- To encourage interaction between financial services professionals and academicians
This year, continuing the effort begun two years ago in Nashville, the AFS and the Financial Planning Association (FPA) have worked diligently to integrate our respective conferences into a single, cohesive event. The second day of the AFS conference (Wednesday, October 16) is the first day of the FPA® conference. AFS and FPA registrants can attend both AFS and FPA sessions on that day. You will find many AFS and FPA® members who have taken advantage of a significant discount to register and attend the complete AFS and FPA® programs.
On AFS day one, we have a full slate of breakout sessions, beginning at 9 am. We are excited to have as our luncheon speaker Dr. Cora Pettipas Senior Manager, Global Financial Planning HSBC London. Tuesday’s program ends with a reception and poster session from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. On Wednesday morning, the second day of the AFS conference begins with the joint opening general session of the FPA Conference, entitled “Mentoring and Role Models: A View From the Bench.” AFS breakouts start at 10:45 that morning and conclude at 5:45 that afternoon.
A conference does not just happen - it takes a great amount of planning and effort. I would like to take this opportunity to thank to Dr. Inga Timmerman, Executive VP-Program, for her efforts in constructing a very impressive agenda. Dr. Janine Sam, the AFS incoming President, was a tremendous asset in planning and executing the conference. Thanks also to Dr. Ginger Phillips, Jennifer Bijaczyk, and Kindra Bess of Arden Solutions. Their support has been invaluable both for advance planning and “boots on the ground” here in Minneapolis. In addition, Shawn Brayman played a critical role in bringing in our guest speakers and arranging sessions that bring in practitioners and researchers together. We extend our thanks to Dr. Tom Potts, AFS Board of Directors, Dr. David Nanigian, VP-Communications, Dr. Chris Browning, VP-Marketing, and Dr. Tom Langdon, VP-Finance, were helpful along the way. Also thanks to Dr. Stuart Michelson, Editor of
Financial Services Review, for his dedication to the journal.
Best wishes to all AFS attendees for an enjoyable and informative stay in Minneapolis.
Swarn Chatterjee, Ph.D.
AFS President 2018-2019
