SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Harry Greyard
Denault & Greyard


11:00am-1:00pm | CFP Ethics
This program fulfills the requirement for CFP Board approved Ethics CE. It has been designed to educate CFP® professionals on CFP Board's new Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct effective July 1, 2024.

*A boxed lunch will be provided for those attending the Ethics Course.

CE Approvals: CFP

1:00pm-1:30pm | BREAK


Mark Witte
College of Charleston

1:30pm-2:20pm | International Financial Linkages and the US Economic Outlook
How are developments in global bond markets influencing the U.S. economy? In this session, we'll explore how shifts in international fixed-income markets are affecting the outlook for U.S. interest rates, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy. We'll also examine the growing divide in consumer spending, housing, and wealth—and discuss what these trends mean for the economy moving forward

2:20pm-2:30pm | BREAK


Ryan Thackery, CFRE
Community Foundation of Greenville

2:30pm-3:20pm | Bridging Philanthropy and Purpose
Discover how community foundations provide a simple, strategic, and impactful way for individuals, families, and businesses to achieve their charitable goals. Through inspiring stories of local philanthropy, this session will explore the various types of funds commonly administered by community foundations, their unique benefits, and what distinguishes them from commercial charitable giving providers. Participants will gain practical insights into how community foundations can help donors create meaningful and lasting philanthropic impact.

3:20pm-3:45pm | Break



Ed Coombs, CFP®, CFT™, LMFT
Alpha Financial Advisors

3:45pm-4:45pm | Emotional Regulation for Advisors and Clients
Financial planning often involves more than technical expertise. When markets fluctuate, families disagree, or clients become anxious, an advisor's ability to foster trust, remain composed, and create a sense of emotional safety can have a significant impact on client outcomes. This session explores how an advisor's own relationship with money influences client interactions while introducing practical insights from polyvagal theory, neuroception, and attachment theory. Participants will gain strategies and tools to confidently navigate emotionally charged conversations, strengthen client relationships, and support more thoughtful financial decision-making.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

7:00am-8:00am | REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST


Marshall Minton
Blair Cato Pickren Casterline, LLC

8:00am-9:00am | Don't Believe Everything You Scroll: Social Media Myths and Estate Planning Reality
Social media is filled with estate planning "hacks," viral legal advice, and one-size-fits-all solutions that often create confusion and expose clients to unintended tax, probate, and asset protection consequences. From claims that everyone needs a trust to misconceptions about avoiding probate, financial advisors are increasingly asked to weigh in on estate planning strategies they see online. This session will examine common estate planning myths circulating on social media, explain the legal realities behind these claims, and provide practical guidance for identifying when clients should be referred to an estate planning attorney. Attendees will leave better equipped to spot misinformation and help clients make informed planning decisions.

9:00am-9:20am | BREAK AND SPONSOR TIME


Jon Wainman
Capital Group

2:30pm-3:20pm | Advisor's Guide to Client Acquisition
Building a successful advisory practice requires a thoughtful and disciplined approach to client acquisition. This session will provide a practical framework for identifying a target market, developing a differentiated value proposition, and implementing effective strategies through digital marketing, centers of influence, and client referrals. Using high-net-worth client scenarios, participants will explore actionable approaches for engaging business owners, wealth inheritors, and corporate executives while building a sustainable pipeline for long-term growth.

10:20am-10:40am | BREAK AND SPONSOR TIME


Rob DeHollander
Apollon Financial

10:40am-11:30am | Past. Present. Future. Preparing Today's Advisor for Tomorrow's Profession
Over the past three decades, the financial planning profession has experienced tremendous change—from commission-based business models and paper applications to fiduciary advice, digital planning, artificial intelligence, and increasing fee compression. This session examines the major industry shifts that have shaped today's profession, explores the challenges advisors currently face, and discusses the trends most likely to redefine financial planning over the next decade. Participants will leave with practical strategies for increasing their value proposition, leveraging emerging technologies, and building advisory practices that remain relevant and indispensable in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

11:30am-12:30pm | NETWORKING LUNCH 


John Davi
Astoria Portfolio Advisors 

12:30pm-1:30pm | Beyond Beta: Active ETF Strategies, Diversification Techniques
Traditional 60/40 portfolios are facing new challenges as stock and bond correlations remain elevated and stagflation risks continue to reshape the investment landscape. This session will examine strategies for achieving meaningful diversification through factor tilts, liquid alternatives, and hard assets—asset classes that are often underrepresented in investor portfolios. Participants will leave with a practical, market-cycle-aware asset allocation framework, including insights on using earnings revision signals, credit spread monitoring, and dynamic portfolio overlays to better manage risk and opportunity across changing market environments.


1:20pm-1:30pm | BREAK AND SPONSOR TIME


Austin Erickson
John Hancock

1:30pm-2:30pm | Super CE

CE Approvals: 

  • South Carolina* 16/3 credit hours
  • Georgia* 18/3 credit hours
  • North Carolina* 16/4 credit hours
  • CFP** 10 CE Credits (No CFP Ethics)
  • IWI (CIMA,CPWA, RMA) 10 General
  • IAR*** 6 credit hours (Product and Practices) 

FPA of South Carolina is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. 

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