DAC Delegates:  High Inflation, High Anxiety Brings Opportunity

Last week Distinguished Delegates at DAC 2022 were asked to get out of their comfort zones and make new, big goals to embrace what will be a difficult 2023. One thing that stood out to us: Many delegates see this time of high inflation and high anxiety as an opportunity.  It’s a perfect time to add value in all areas: accounting, tax, bookkeeping and financial services. Here’s a recap of the wisdoms:

Twenty-four outstanding thought leaders pleaded their case for building Velocity in anticipation of yes, a challenging year, but a year of enhanced services.

Day Two speakers/sessions did not disappoint; they included:

HELP WANTED: Transformative Leadership for Canada - Canada’s National Bureau Chief for the Globe and Mail, Robert Fife, made compelling arguments for transformative leadership at home and abroad. This is so important, at a time when polarized views need to be soothed, because Canada is positioned to take its place on the world stage, provide our rich resources and amplify the global economic recovery.

THE SPEED OF TAX CHANGE: What it Means for You and Your Clients against inflationary headwinds - This fast-paced session dealt with the fast pace of tax change.  Kim Moody, CEO of Moody’s Tax, discussed the impact of "Future Shock" in particular as it relates to new trust reporting requirements, the mandatory reporting and disclosure rules and interest deductibility restrictions which all will form part of new conversations with clients in 2023.

MOMENTUM: FROM THE EXECUTIVE SUITE - Change is difficult at the best of times but today, it’s harder, especially for business leaders, owners and managers.  This is as true for advisors as it is for their clients, some of whom may face a massive disappointment in the valuation of their businesses today or, worse, understand their retirement might look quite differently than it did before March of 2020. Kish Kapoor President and CEO, RF Capital Group and Christina Clement, VP at Richardson Wealth explained how vital it is to embrace new opportunities to build new momentum and shared the big goals they have set in their company to do so.

HOW TO GET MORE DISTANCE FROM PENSION PLANS - Financial advisors and accountants have a “blind spot” when it comes to understanding registered pension plans in the context of the business community that they serve.  This lack of a firm understanding of the power that comes from using pension plans can be very detrimental to the clients of these advisors, according to JP Laporte, CEO of Integris Pension Mgmt., who focused on the litany of tax advantages that come with the proper use of pension planning strategies, especially in a volatile world gripped by inflation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: A Holistic Approach to Innovative and Efficient Design.   In an era of new trends – ongoing COVID impacts, the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, National Pharmacare and Dental Care, a broken health care system and employers struggling with rising wages and interest costs - is there a new place for employee benefits in the workplace today?  In a nutshell: Yes. Massino Nini, VP at AGA Benefit Solutions, a leading expert in efficient group benefits design, enlightened the delegates on the importance of new strategic planning for group benefits for your clients.

PLANNING FOR DISABILITY: A Multi-Advisory Case Study – Session led by Kristin Ramlal, Canada Life Securities Specialist, Ian Wood, VP at Cardinal Capital Mgmt., Doug Buss- The DAC 2022 Distinguished New Advisor of The Future Award Winner and Alan Rowell, CEO of The Accounting Place. At a time when markets are off and conversations about disability and death are particularly difficult, our expert panel explored how to open new conversations to enable financial peace of mind to clients, through disability awareness and planning—a key to reach effective wealth sustainability.

FIRESIDE CHAT: DOING GOOD: Why Making a Social Impact Matters to Your Next Client…and to Your Business. Doing good is a Big Idea. Consider the opportunity for “social financing”: the collaborative investment of public, private and philanthropic funds as a way to re-image our new economic structure and build a “Social Infrastructure”. A great session by Lindsay Sawyer-Fay, Financial Advisor and Paul Nazareth, VP Education and Development at CAGP engaged advisors in new ways to work with the charitable sector, and become involved to make sure their clients’ legacies were properly managed after they are gone.

VELOCITY & THE NEED FOR SPEED TO SUCCEED: Push Your Limits While Remaining Balanced - If there is anyone who knows about achieving goals, it's Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the fastest men on earth:  Bruny Surin. Surin spoke with conviction on how he overcame obstacles to become the fastest man in the world at 32-years-old. A true inspiration with a gold medal to prove it, delegates definitely went home thinking about their goals and building momentum after the wisdoms Bruni offered.  

Check out the Picture Gallery. The in-person events were spectacularly “spooky” this year. There were networking and social events like wine tasting and the Halloween Bash, both, a way to relax and build professional relationships. Please view the DAC2023 Photo Gallery to get an attendee experience.

Missed the DAC?  Take the certificate online course: Velocity:  How to Gain Momentum in the New Economy.  This new certificate course from Knowledge Bureau features the expert thought leaders from the recent DAC Acuity Conference.  Students may earn CE Credits from  Knowledge Bureau, IIROC, AIC and Advocis/MFDA.   

Testimonials:  100% of attendees at this year’s conference (DAC 2022) would recommend the conference to a friend or colleague.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event: DAC 2023 IMAGINE! Break Free to Embrace Transformative Change. It’ll take place November 11-14 in Banff, Alberta.

If you register early there are discounts! Contact us today to enroll for DAC 2023 or register at DAC2023. If you saw how much exposure the sponsors got at DAC 2022, and you’re interested in sponsorships opportunities for next year—contact us to find out more.  

Join us next year at DAC 2023 for critical content focused on today’s essential financial topics, and some of the best networking opportunities out there!