Make the connection

Regional Conferences are a fantastic way to engage with your profession. Chris Spratt tells you how to get involved…

With the Q3 regionals in full swing and Q4 just around the corner, we take a look at what’s in store for attendees and why the ever-increasing demand for the Regional Conferences sees no slowing down.

• Four opportunities a year to increase your knowledge and gain new skills locally;
• An invaluable source of accredited CPD;
• Network with your professional peers and connect with your local regional committee.

One of the most valued member services, our Regional Conferences, take place across 26 regions throughout the UK, meaning you’ll never be too far away from accessing high quality CPD. Every quarter, you are invited to your local regional conference, offering you the opportunity to stay up-to-date with developments impacting the profession with guidance from leading subject specialists.

Regional conferences are a great way to meet other professionals who live and work locally and also to connect with your local regional committee members

Regional Conference content

Conference programmes are structured to offer a balance of technical and soft skills training with a focus on good practice guidance. Hear from a range of experts covering a wide variety of subjects, enabling you to develop and expand your technical awareness.

Put your new knowledge to the test with case study participation with fellow members, allowing you to assess yourself and ensure you have learnt the salient facts of the day.

Network and Engage Regional

Conferences are a great way to meet other professionals who live and work locally, and also to connect with your local regional committee members. Each region is made up of a group of member volunteers who represent your professional body and organise many events, both social and technical, throughout the year.

Say hello!    

Regional Conferences are designed to be sociable. Visit the exhibitors and learn about new products 
and services; meet the speakers and find out more about topics presented. Come and say hello to the Personal Finance Society team and keep up-to-date with new initiatives and campaigns that you can get involved with.

How to Register

Find and register for Regional Conferences via the Personal Finance Society website, at: thepfs.org/events Why not keep track of all your events throughout the year with the PFS Events app! Free to download for Apple and Android users, you can search and register for events and access a wealth of information on speakers, attendees and much more.

Case Study

Peter Cowden, financial planner with Close Brothers

Being a Northerner, I am always keen to get value for money and so if my annual subscription was paying for these quarterly Regional Conferences then I was going to find out what was going on and how it could benefit me! I would implore you to discover for yourself, as there is so much more on offer for those willing to commit a day per quarter, as I have been doing for more than 20 years now.

The day starts casually with a coffee and a welcome from the Regional Committee and then a chat with some of the exhibitors, not forgetting a quick visit to the PFS stand to catch up on the latest initiatives and campaigns going on. Old friends catch up and new friends are made and a great day is in store.

Quality content

For each of the Regional Conferences I earn four hours of accredited CPD provided by a range of technical experts and partners in professionalism. You may be able to source your annual CPD requirements from other activities, however, I would challenge how often you have the opportunity to listen and engage with the quality of speakers that are present, such as representatives of the FCA who can help you navigate the latest report or findings.

I am proud with the strides that we’ve taken to become a profession and at the vanguard is the Personal Finance Society. By attending the Regional Conferences, we are included in all the latest activity our professional body is promoting and provides me with the opportunity to find out how I can play a part. This is vitally the sort of work that reflects on us as a profession and not a sales force, and shows the direction that our profession is travelling in.

Chris Spratt is membership marketing executive at the PFS

Picture Credit | iStock