PROGRAM
TUESDAY 9 MARCH - AKUMIN PROGRAM
The Day 1 Akumin program offers delegates the flexibility to arrive on Tuesday morning or enjoy a range of optional Gold Coast experiences before the official program begins. Kicking off with lunch and our popular Akumunity sessions, the afternoon provides the perfect balance of networking, peer connection, and shared learning, while allowing attendees to make the most of everything the Gold Coast has to offer.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Own the Ride
Sunrise Charity Coastal Ride
7:00am - 10:30am
OWN THE RIDE
Start the conference with an invigorating yet relaxed ride along the Gold Coast’s iconic coastal cycleways. Departing from the Gold Coast Convention Centre, you’ll ride to The Spit before continuing south to Burleigh Heads, taking in sparkling ocean views, fresh morning air and the beautiful coastline along the way. Pause at the beachfront for a well-earned refreshment, then return to the convention centre feeling energised and ready for the day’s program. Designed as a social, lower-intensity experience, the ride is a great way to connect with fellow delegates while supporting a worthy cause. Choose either an e-bike or standard bike, with bike and helmet hire included.
Inclusions: Standard or eBike & Helmet, Morning refreshment stop
$45 + GST - Standard Bike and Helmet Hire
$70 + GST - eBike and Helmet Hire
Own Your Craft
Pottery Workshop
8:30am - 11:30am
OWN YOUR CRAFT
Get hands-on and discover the rewarding art of pottery during a creative workshop designed for all experience levels. In this relaxed small-group session, a skilled ceramicist will guide you step by step as you learn essential clay-working techniques and transform a simple lump of clay into your own unique handmade pieces. All clay, tools, glazing and firing are included, with your creations professionally finished by the studio and delivered to you after the conference to treasure. No previous experience is required—just bring your creativity and be ready to have fun getting a little muddy!
Inclusions: Coach Transfers to Burleigh Heads, 2 hour pottery workshop, Participants make at least two pieces which will be delivered to them post conference, Morning Tea
$180 + GST
Own the Coast
Surfers Paradise Aquaduck Adventure
9:00am - 11:30am
OWN THE COAST
Discover the Gold Coast from the street and the water aboard the iconic Aquaduck—Australia’s original amphibious city tour and river cruise. Departing from the heart of Surfers Paradise, this lively one-hour adventure combines an informative city tour with live commentary before the famous Duck makes an exciting splash into the Broadwater. Take in views of the Surfers Paradise skyline, the esplanade and Tedder Avenue, then cruise past Marina Mirage, superyachts and the impressive waterfront mansions of the rich and famous. Keep watch for dolphins and other local wildlife as you enjoy the waterways from a completely different perspective. Fun, social and suitable for all ages, this memorable experience is an entertaining way to see many Gold Coast highlights in a single tour. Followed by some free time at Surfers Paradise before your coach transfers you back to the convention centre.
Inclusions: Coach Transfers to Surfers Paradise, 1 hour Aquaduck tour, Free time at Surfers Paradise
$75 + GST
After the optional morning activities, enjoy lunch and registration before joining the Akumumity Peer Group sessions.
Akumunity Peer Groups Sessions 1
High Net Wealth & SMSF Forum
High Net Wealth & SMSF
The High Net Wealth & SMSF session will focus on the unique needs of high-net-worth, family office clients, clients with SMSF structures and offer advisers peer-driven insights into guiding clients through significant transitions. It will address the often-hidden complexities of managing substantial wealth, structures and related entities. Key topics include asset allocation strategies for families, private markets and clients with multiple entities. The session will also emphasise the importance of multigenerational advice and helping family leaders prioritise family-first approaches in long-term planning.
Operational Essentials
Operational Essentials
In an increasingly complex advice environment, strong foundations matter more than ever. Operational Essentials is designed for advisers and practice professionals committed to raising standards, sharing knowledge and driving excellence across the advice community.
Through practical insights, industry perspectives and proven approaches, this session explores the operational, compliance and business disciplines that underpin a successful advice practice. Discover how leading practices are enhancing efficiency, managing risk, strengthening client relationships and positioning themselves for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving profession.
Solo Success Builders
Solo Success Builders
Running solo doesn’t mean going it alone. This session is tailored for single-adviser businesses, offering a collaborative space where independence is supported by connection. Attendees can expect meaningful conversations, actionable insights, and peer-driven learning focused on the unique challenges of running a solo practice. Key themes include mastering capacity and compliance, scaling sustainably without sacrificing quality, and adopting client-centric strategies to boost engagement and satisfaction. Whether you're refining your business model or seeking fresh ideas, this is a chance to learn, share, and grow alongside like-minded professionals.
Risk Masters Forum
Risk Masters Forum
The Risk Masters Forum offers a revitalised approach to integrating insurance into wealth and retirement planning conversations, addressing the challenges of positioning it positively in today’s advice landscape. Participants will explore the foundational insurance narrative, learn how to conduct effective need analyses using practical tools, and establish a consistent practice view on coverage. The session also covers strategies for pre-assessment, commercial sustainability, and claims management, all aimed at helping advisers protect clients from unforeseen health events while streamlining the recommendation and application process.
Akumunity Peer Groups Sessions 2
Advice Womens Network (AAWN)
Advice Womens Network (AAWN)
This session explores the role of intentional, purpose-led communities in accelerating individual and collective performance. While talent and ambition drive progress, it is the strength of professional networks and shared experience that enables sustained growth and impact. Marking a shift from informal networking to a more structured and inclusive community approach, the session will examine how connection, collaboration and support can unlock opportunity and shape the future of advice. Open to both women and men across our community, the discussion will focus on how strong communities foster career development, strengthen collaboration, and support the next generation of leaders in our industry. The session will feature a panel of adviser representatives sharing perspectives on career pathways, challenges, and the role each of us plays in building a more inclusive, high-performing profession.
Intergenerational Wealth Focus
Intergenerational Wealth Focus
As we know, Australia is on the brink of its largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history, with an estimated $3.5 trillion expected to pass from older to younger generations over the next two decades. This unprecedented shift presents a powerful opportunity for practices to engage with both mature clients and their beneficiaries, ensuring that wealth is not only preserved but strategically transitioned.
This peer forum will explore the scale and impact of intergenerational wealth transfer in Australia, highlighting how financial practices can better engage clients and leverage growth opportunities. It will focus on developing strategies to support mature clients in legacy and estate planning, while also enhancing multigenerational engagement and improving financial literacy across families.
The Advice & Accounting Forum
The Advice & Accounting Forum
The purpose of this forum is to connect our community who have or are integrating financial planning and accounting businesses. This session will enable businesses to share practical insights, experiences, and lessons learned in building successful multidisciplinary businesses. As client expectations evolve and demand grows for holistic financial guidance, many firms are exploring how closer alignment between accounting and financial planning can deliver improved client outcomes, stronger business growth, and greater operational efficiency.
This forum will examine the opportunities and challenges involved in creating an integrated advice model, including cultural alignment, referral processes and client engagement strategies, technology integration, governance, compliance considerations, and ownership structures.
The Retirement Masterclass
The Retirement Masterclass
The purpose of the Retirement Masterclass peer forum is to create an enviroment to connect the balance of product evlolution and the client experience / needs. This community will challenge each other on developing a deeper understanding of the retirement client journey, the emotional and financial challenges retirees face, and the role advisers can play in improving retirement outcomes. Retirees are increasingly seeking more than investment performance alone. They want confidence, certainty, flexibility, and guidance through significant life transitions. Internal retirement research highlights that many retirees struggle with concerns such as running out of money, navigating complex retirement income decisions, maximising government benefits, managing health and aged care costs, estate planning, and adapting to changing lifestyle needs throughout retirement.
