- SMSF Association Media Release
The SMSF Association National Conference will be held in Sydney from 14-16 February 2018, with a record number of delegates expected to attend.
SMSF Association CEO John Maroney says next year’s National Conference, being staged at Sydney’s new International Convention Centre, will demonstrate again why it is the premier event on the SMSF calendar.
“The primary focus of the 2018 event is to give delegates every opportunity to expand their SMSF knowledge and take them ‘beyond the expected’. It aims to give them the intellectual tools to rise above the competition and position themselves as leaders in the SMSF sector with technical excellence and thinking post the 1 July 2017 changes.
“This theme of ‘beyond’ has been expressly built into the program, starting with the Thought Leadership Breakfast on the opening morning to the policy and technical sessions, and ending with the highly entertaining and always popular traditional closing event. At all times, the 2018 National Conference will challenge, stimulate and educate delegates.”
Maroney says that considering the often intense discussion around possible uses for the $2.3 trillion superannuation pool of savings, the Thought Leadership Breakfast theme, “Does superannuation need to play a broader role in the retirement of Australians in the future?”, should generate a lively and entertaining debate.
“In the past 18 months since the handing down of the 2016 Federal Budget, much of the industry’s focus has been on the immediate impact of these changes, many of which took effect on 1 July this year.
“The sessions will still focus on the aftermath of these significant changes. But the Thought Leadership Breakfast will give us the unique opportunity to look into the crystal ball and discuss the long-term challenges facing SMSFs and the superannuation system.
“One of these challenges is how will superannuation continue to meet the needs of retirees going forward. Should superannuation be limited to its core purpose of providing retirement income or can its remit be expanded to cater for health and aged care too?
“Should housing be more integrated with superannuation and the age pension? Is the way we draw down on superannuation savings fit for purpose going forward?” Technical and policy issues will be analysed and debated across more than 40 sessions, with over 60 expert speakers and influential sector leaders providing their insights.
Maroney says speakers have been chosen not only for their expertise on a specific topic, but for their ability to be able to convey their message in a compelling way. “There will also be some exciting social events that will allow delegates to network to build their business opportunities and improve their profiles – a big attraction at these conferences,” he says.
Bookings for the event are now open and a special offer is available during an early bird registration window that closes on Friday 1 December 2017.
- SMSF Association Media Release