- SMSF Association Media Release
The SMSF Association National Conference in 2021 will be a virtual event held over two days on 16 February (Tuesday) and 18 February (Thursday).
SMSF Association CEO John Maroney says: “Next year’s National Conference will be a virtual event, bringing together the best and brightest technical speakers, thought leaders and SMSF service providers on the one virtual platform.
“The overwhelming feedback we received from our mid-year virtual technical conference was that delegates really enjoyed the virtual conference platform, both in terms of ease of navigation and the ability to engage and collaborate with service providers and like-minded professionals, via the virtual Exhibition Hall and virtual lounges, so it’s no surprise registrations for our National Conference have been very strong.
“COVID-19 permitting, all technical sessions will be filmed in professional recording studios in each capital city and, for most sessions, all speakers will be situated in the same studio, adding to the learning and conference experience.
“The National Conference Program Committee has gone to great lengths to ensure the comprehensive technical program, featuring four plenary sessions, 21 concurrent sessions, two workshops and three Specialist member only on-demand sessions, will be compelling, informative, and technically challenging.
“The conference case study has been completely overhauled and now features a much-loved and well-known Australian family to help delegates apply SMSF theory to real-life client situations.
“During the conference our case study clients will experience the highs and lows of being an SMSF trustee in a manner that delegates are sure to find educational and entertaining.”
Maroney says: “The variety and depth of our technical program speaks for itself, but sessions of particular interest will be the BT Thought Leadership event on Thursday morning focussing on the SMSF investor of the future, and sessions by perennial favourites Craig Day, Scott Hay-Bartlem, Meg Heffron, Bryce Figot, Jemma Sanderson and Peter Burgess
“Other expert speakers presenting include Louise Biti, Phil Broderick, Melanie Dunn, Bryan Ashenden, Aaron Dunn, Mark Ellem and Tim Miller.”
A new addition to next year’s National Conference program will be Meg Heffron’s unveiling of the 2021 SMSF strategy landscape in a plenary session on the first day and the inclusion of FASEA CEO Stephen Glenfield discussing the results of its recent consultation on the FASEA code of ethics.
The ATO and APESB will also be discussing the new auditor independence standards followed by an interactive Q&A. The program has also been bolstered by the addition of a barrister and insolvency expert and lawyer to discuss what to do when court orders fail and the emerging issue of insolvent corporate trustees. There will also be the usual legislative updates and sessions on estate planning, pensions, succession planning and estate planning.
Maroney says the program is designed by SMSF practitioners for SMSF practitioners with delegates having the opportunity to earn 30+ CPD hours.
“It will be an interactive experience like no other, with delegates able to tune in from the comfort of their home or office, using the interactive platform to create a vibrant online learning and social environment. And the online platform will be available post the live event dates to review sessions.”
Early bird registrations close on Friday, 4 December. For more information and to register, please visit the National Conference 2021 website here.