Key Takeaways from RIA Edge West 2024

If you weren’t able to attend RIA Edge West 2024, here’s a quick recap of what you missed — and why it’s worth paying attention to this conference as part of your 2025 travel schedule. 

From cutting-edge WealthTech partners to personalized client experiences, this year’s event provided some major insights for advisors looking for ways to scale and grow their business.

1. Technology: A Growth Accelerator for RIAs

Day one of the conference kicked off with the “Tech for Growth Summit” and a major theme throughout the week focused on how technology is not just a tool but a key driver of growth. 

Advisors were encouraged to embrace digital platforms and advanced analytics to streamline operations, enhance client relationships, and improve overall efficiency. Whether it’s integrating AI into wealth management strategies or utilizing CRM software for more effective communication, the message was clear: tech isn’t the future—it’s the present.

One of my favorite sessions from the week came from Jason Pereira and Brian Portney, two seemingly ever-present fixtures on the conference stage. They covered the amplification of AI in WealthTech and the tools that are implementing these new technologies best right now. 

2. The Client Experience: Personalized, Not Just Professional

Another core focus was the evolving client experience and how offering a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer sufficient. Clients today expect more personalized, dynamic services that cater to their unique goals.

Sessions on this topic provided actionable strategies for advisors to enhance their client relationships. One key takeaway? Advisors need to shift from simply managing portfolios to being true financial partners who understand client goals on a deeper level and tailor every interaction to their specific needs. 

Additionally, several discussions revolved around using digital marketing to forge stronger connections with clients. By leveraging CRM and email marketing tools effectively, financial advisors can maintain consistent touchpoints with their clients while enhancing the overall experience.

3. Women in Leadership: Driving Change in the RIA Space

A standout moment at RIA Edge West was the “Female Advisor Breakfast for Women Leaders.” 

This beginning to the final day of the event brought together a diverse group of influential women in the financial advisory world, including Cary Carbonaro of Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, who discussed how to break barriers and increase female representation in leadership roles within RIAs. Diversity and inclusion are critical to future growth, so these conversations are not just about equality—they’re about innovation for the industry as a whole.

Hopefully, the industry will continue to see transformative change led by the powerhouse women leaders at this conference

4. Networking and Collaboration: The Foundation of Every Great Advisor Conference

Any conference recap would be incomplete without assessing opportunities to network with the other attendees. This event curated collaboration by going beyond the standard “cocktail hours” and included several roundtable discussions and workshops where participants could sit down with experts to dive deep into topics such as scaling operations, managing risk, and integrating new marketing strategies. 

I had the privilege to host one of these roundtables with my friend Matt Ackermann, the Chief Content Officer at Integrated Partners.

5. The Importance of Strategic Planning in a Shifting Market

In a handful of sessions, advisors were reminded to revisit their long-term business plans, considering both external challenges and opportunities within the industry. 

Panels addressed how to structure advisory businesses to not only survive but thrive in a constantly changing landscape. One of my favorites was led by Matt Ackermann and featured Vickie Lewin of Amplify, who spoke on the importance of change management.

What’s Next? Prepare for the Future Now

Whether you’re already leveraging your firm’s WealthTech to the fullest or just beginning to standardize your firm’s operations, attending an event like Edge West can be useful for your firm’s growth strategy.

If you want to attend a technology-focused event, next year’s edition should be on your short list, especially if you’re a West Coast-based advisor who finds it difficult to make it to events located on the other side of the country.