The 2026 PFG Connect Conference was not simply a gathering of advisors, partners, and team members, it was a reflection of who we are and what we are building together. Over two energizing days, the PFG community came together to celebrate progress, navigate change, and align around a shared vision for the future. The theme, Independence…Together, was more than a tagline, it was a declaration of identity.
As the conference opened, there was a palpable sense of gratitude in the room. Advisors traveled from across the country, representing financial institutions and independent practices alike, all unified by a common belief in delivering quality advice with integrity and purpose. The tone was set early, this was a year to acknowledge how far we have come and to be intentional about where we are going next.
In many ways, 2025 was a defining chapter in PFG’s story. The decision to fully lean into the RIA space and align with a broker dealer partner that shares our advisor first philosophy marked a pivotal moment. It was a decision rooted in values rather than convenience. In a landscape where short term incentives can often cloud long term judgment, PFG chose alignment over expediency. The move reinforced our commitment to serving clients’ best interests and preserving advisor flexibility, and it underscored a core belief that independence should empower, not constrain, the advisor experience.
That spirit carried directly into the conversations about 2026. With growth comes responsibility, and PFG leadership made it clear that intentionality will continue to guide every step forward. As we expand, we remain focused on hiring the right people into the right seats, strengthening best in class platforms and processes, and ensuring that quality advisors are equipped to deliver quality advice and generate strong profits. Growth is not pursued for its own sake, it is pursued so that advisors, clients, and families can thrive.
One of the most significant announcements of the conference was the introduction of the PFG Partner Participation Plan. Designed to create opportunity without obligation, this initiative reflects a long-term vision of shared success. Rather than viewing growth as something that happens around advisors, PFG is creating pathways for advisors to participate directly in the firm’s continued evolution. Conversations will begin thoughtfully and deliberately, recognizing that each advisor’s affiliation model and circumstances are unique. The message behind the plan was simple but powerful, while advisors dedicate themselves to helping clients retire well, PFG is equally committed to helping advisors retire well. Independence should create ownership, not isolation.
The forward-looking tone of the conference was balanced by practical insight. Faith Chaffee of AssetMark provided a comprehensive economic outlook, offering clarity amid market volatility. Her perspective on a front loaded 2026, shaped by policy shifts, AI investment, fiscal stimulus, and evolving labor dynamics, reinforced the importance of discipline and long-term thinking. In a world dominated by headlines and short-term noise, the reminder was timely, fundamentals and earnings growth remain the true drivers of sustainable progress.
Throughout the event, growth was explored not just as a metric, but as a mindset. Sessions focused on deepening client relationships, moving up market strategically, and building durable practices that can scale across generations. Advisors shared candid lessons from their own experiences, what it takes to win high net-worth relationships, how to sustain a culture within a growing firm, and how to balance ambition with intentional service. The willingness to share openly is one of the defining characteristics of the PFG community. Advisors helping advisors is not a slogan, it is a lived reality.
The conversation around client experience added another important dimension. Keynote speaker Julie Littlechild challenged attendees to rethink engagement as the engine of growth. In an increasingly competitive environment, personalization and proactive connection are no longer differentiators, they are expectations. Firms that invest in understanding their clients beyond portfolios and who design experiences intentionally will be the ones that stand apart. The future of advice is relational as much as it is technical.
Day two also highlighted PFG’s continued investment in advisor experience and platform evolution. Survey feedback was shared transparently, reinforcing a culture that listens first and acts decisively. Updates across technology, compliance, financial institution practice standards, and charitable planning initiatives demonstrated that meaningful growth happens both on the stage and behind the scenes. The work of strengthening infrastructure is often invisible, but it is foundational.
Perhaps the most powerful moments of the conference were the moments of recognition. Long standing partnerships were celebrated. First time attendees were welcomed. Veterans were honored. Financial institution leaders and preferred partners were acknowledged for the trust and collaboration that make the PFG ecosystem possible. Record revenue milestones were recognized, reflecting not just individual achievement but collective momentum. These celebrations were not about numbers alone, they were about relationships sustained over years, and in many cases, decades.
As the conference drew to a close, the energy in the room felt different than when it began. There was a renewed sense of alignment and confidence. The risks taken in 2025 were not reckless, they were principled, and those decisions created a stronger foundation for 2026 and beyond.
Independence, as this conference affirmed, is not about standing alone. It is about standing firmly in shared values, supported by people who believe in the same mission. It is about choosing long-term alignment over short-term gain. It is about building something durable enough to serve clients today and meaningful enough to sustain advisors tomorrow.
PFG Connect 2026 reminded us that our strength does not come from size alone. It comes from partnership, conviction, and a community willing to grow together.
Independent. Together.