AS CONFERENCE SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE, it’s finally time to enjoy some long, warm days and weekend getaways, and to take time to reflect on our personal and professional goals.

This spring, investment professionals attended CFA conferences to hone their knowledge of the trends and issues facing the pension and private wealth sectors. Attendees at our Spring Pension Conference gleaned information on the industry’s current environment, best practices, and insights from managers of today’s leading investment portfolios. Our panellists at the Wealth Management Conference offered attendees valuable insights into the expectations of the next generation of clients. They also presented various strategies for enhancing clients’ experience, and ensuring that clients understand the value of your advice.

In May, we joined CFA Institute and other societies around the world in the Putting Investors First Month initiative. The goal of this global initiative is to bring greater value to the CFA designation by increasing the designation’s visibility, and by educating investors on the benefits charterholders can provide them. Our local efforts in this campaign started with a request for a municipal proclamation to recognize the role investors and investment practitioners serve in building a strong, sound, and growing economy. Our request was approved by Mayor John Tory, and May 2017 was officially proclaimed Investor Awareness Month. The proclamation also recognized the importance of the profession in providing investors with services rooted in integrity, ethical behaviour, fair treatment, and professional excellence. These are all qualities we’re familiar with, as they’re embodied in the CFA designation. We also furthered our outreach and advocacy efforts through our digital campaign, educating investors on what to look for when they seek financial advice. This included sharing resources such as Statement of Investor Rights and 7 Steps to Financial Fitness.

Though our programming will slow over the summer, our board and management offices will remain hard at work.

We have some exciting surprises planned for the remainder of 2017, as we prepare to welcome our new Board of Directors and volunteers this September. In the meantime, take time to enjoy a little R&R over the summer and prepare for a busy fall ahead.