FPA Announces Keynote Speakers for 2012 Annual Conference

Carville & Matalin, Giunta, and Kashkari Bring Politics, Economics and Inspiration to One Stage

DENVER, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) today announced the keynote speakers for FPA Experience 2012, the annual conference of the financial planning community, to be held Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 at the San Antonio Convention Center.

The presidential election will be about a month away when spirited bi-partisan political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin kick off the conference on Saturday, Sept. 29. The husband and wife duo sit on opposing sides of the political aisle and provide an entertaining, informative and broad view of how different administrations could affect the financial landscape, U.S. policies and global issues. Known as an outspoken and brilliant strategist, Carville was the campaign manager and senior political adviser to President Bill Clinton. After serving as chief of staff for the RNC during the Reagan administration, Matalin served as the deputy campaign manager for President George Bush, later joining his staff in the White House. Today, both use their extensive political backgrounds to provide commentary for CNN, author numerous books and support their respective parties.

On Sunday, Sept. 30, former U.S. Army staff sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta offers conference attendees an extremely moving and inspirational glimpse of the commitment and character of our next generation, and firsthand account of the issues and influences of war. Giunta, the nation's first living Medal of Honor recipient in 40 years, was inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes for his actions during the war in Afghanistan. While our military involvement greatly impacts politics and the economy, Giunta puts a human face of the military's sacrifices and impact on society.

On Monday, Oct. 1, financial services industry expert Neel Kashkari delivers the closing keynote address of the conference, providing a grounding view of the global economy and sharing practical and relevant insights on how advisers serve their clients now and in the future. A highly regarded and knowledgeable speaker in financial services, Kashkari is the managing director and head of global equities at PIMCO's Newport Beach, Calif. office and president of PIMCO Equity Series Trust. Earlier he served as senior adviser to then-U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and later as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, overseeing the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Kashkari holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor and Master's degrees in engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

FPA Experience 2012 continues the association's tradition of providing thought-provoking speakers, tremendous networking and community opportunities, and a diverse slate of education tracks. "National and world events impact our economy in numerous ways each and every day," said FPA Executive Director and CEO Marvin W. Tuttle, Jr., CAE. "Our slate of speakers highlights the influence politics, global economies and military action wield, and the potential for change we could see in the upcoming year."

In addition to FPA Experience 2012, FPA offers two more conference opportunities this year:

• FPA Business Solutions, March 4-6, in San Francisco, Calif., provides financial advisers a venue to focus on the theory and practice of business management
• FPA Retreat, May 5-8, in Scottsdale, Ariz. is a unique gathering designed to give advisers specialized education and tools to meet the challenging demands of an ever-changing market.

To register and learn more about FPA conferences, visit www.FPAnet.org/professionals/EventsConferences.

About the Financial Planning Association

The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the largest membership organization for personal financial planning experts in the U.S. and includes professionals from all backgrounds and business models. FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve. Based in Denver, Colo., FPA works in alliance with academic leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations. For more information about FPA, visit www.FPAnet.org or call 800.322.4237.

SOURCE Financial Planning Association