2027 Investment Adviser Compliance Conference

Conference Registration

Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

Find your old friends, make new ones, and get to know the exhibitors.

Welcome Remarks

• Karen L. Barr, President & CEO, Investment Adviser Association

GENERAL SESSION: Priorities, Process, and Protection: A Conversation with SEC Divisions of Examinations and Enforcement 

• Keith Cassidy, Director, SEC Division of Examinations
• David Woodcock, Director, SEC Division of Enforcement (invited)
• Gail C. Bernstein, General Counsel and Head of Public Policy, Investment Adviser Association (Moderator)

GENERAL SESSION: The View from 100 F Street: Fireside Chat with SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins

• The Honorable Paul S. Atkins, SEC
• Karen L. Barr, President & CEO, Investment Adviser Association

Networking Break with Exhibitors

Concurrent Compliance Breakout Sessions

Choose one session to attend. Video recordings of these breakout sessions will be available to attendees shortly after the conference.

1. By the Same Token: Navigating the Evolving Digital Asset Landscape
Digital (crypto) assets, tokenized securities, and payment stablecoins are transforming investment markets, creating new opportunities for investment advisers and raising important legal, regulatory, and compliance considerations for investment advisers. Understand the opportunities for trading tokenized securities, including through the SEC’s innovation exemption and other exchanges. Learn how the use of blockchain-based trading platforms and custodians of digital assets impacts your fiduciary duty, custody, trading and best execution, valuation, disclosures, conflicts of interest, and oversight of third-party service providers.

2. Seeking Harmony: Marketing Rule Review
What are the latest compliance challenges and interpretations regarding the SEC’s Marketing Rule? Also, recent amendments to FINRA Rule 2210 will permit advisers to include projected and target returns in communications distributed to investors through affiliated or third-party broker-dealers, subject to conditions that more closely align with the SEC’s Marketing Rule. Discover what the amendments mean for fund managers and distributors, what important inconsistencies remain, and strategies for managing the two frameworks.

3. Better Safe Than Sorry: Custody Rule Fundamentals
While the Custody Rule is poised to be modernized, it’s important to understand the current rule and avoid pitfalls. Explore common custody scenarios, compliance obligations, the role of qualified custodians, surprise examination and audit requirements, and key exceptions. Also learn what to expect if the SEC’s proposed adviser and regulated fund custody rules are adopted.

LUNCH

Washington Weather Report: Forecasting the Regulatory and Legislative Climate
What’s on the horizon for investment advisers? Get the latest inside the beltway insights on key policy developments, emerging issues, and breaking news from Capitol Hill affecting investment advisers. Hear about the IAA’s top advocacy priorities and how the IAA is working to advance investment advisers’ interests in Washington.

Concurrent Compliance Breakout Sessions

Choose one session to attend. Video recordings of these breakout sessions will be available to attendees shortly after the conference.

1. Blurred Lines: Registered Funds Developments and Responsible Retailization
As access to private market investments becomes more available to retail investors, new opportunities and compliance challenges are emerging for investment advisers. Examine the growing convergence of registered funds with private funds and other alternative investments. Learn about evolving regulatory developments for registered funds and practical considerations involving valuation, conflicts of interest, disclosure, performance-based compensation, share classes, and cross trading.

2. Private Funds: Key Compliance Issues for Private Fund Advisers
Private fund advisers face a complex mix of regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and operational challenges. Explore key compliance issues involving fees and expenses, valuation, conflicts of interest, disclosures, and investor communications. Learn practical strategies for strengthening oversight, addressing examination priorities, and managing risks in an evolving private funds landscape. Also hear the latest Form PF updates.

3. At Your Service: Wealth Management Compliance Considerations
Wealth managers are increasingly expanding services beyond traditional investment advice. From retirement rollovers and estate planning to insurance, bill payments, and handling accounts after a client’s death, hear about practical steps to implement regulatory requirements and consider compliance obligations that govern wealth management services.

GENERAL SESSION: AI in Action: Managing Artificial Intelligence Risks and Strengthening Compliance

From shadow AI to disclosure obligations and vendor oversight, artificial intelligence presents a growing list of compliance challenges. Develop practical strategies for identifying and managing the AI tools employees and clients are using, developing clear and effective policies, and overseeing third-party service providers. Learn how to harness AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your compliance program.

Networking Break With Exhibitors

GENERAL SESSION: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Strategies to Protect Your Firm

AI is changing the cybersecurity and data privacy threat landscape and raising the stakes for investment advisers. This session focuses on the practical measures firms are implementing to protect themselves. Learn how to strengthen cyber threat intelligence and operational resilience to help prevent fraud and identity theft, including to protect senior investors. Understand how to navigate cybersecurity incidents and data breaches under Regulation S-P and state data privacy laws.

What to Expect on Day 2

Cocktail Reception

Conference Registration

Breakfast

GENERAL SESSION: A Conversation With SEC Division of Investment Management

• Brian Daly, Director, SEC Division of Investment Management (invited)
• Gail C. Bernstein, General Counsel and Head of Public Policy, Investment Adviser Association

GENERAL SESSION: SEC Exams Spotlight: Trends and Priorities

Drawing on the SEC’s 2027 Examination Priorities, panelists will provide insight into examiners’ focus areas. Get an inside look at emerging examination trends and priorities, including advisers’ use of AI, data privacy obligations under Regulation S-P, and compliance with your fiduciary duty. Learn how you can use the new SEC Exam Handbook to better prepare your firm and your team for the next exam.

Networking Break With Exhibitors

Concurrent Compliance Breakout Sessions

Choose one session to attend. Video recordings of these breakout sessions will be available to attendees shortly after the conference.

Navigating Change: Practical Strategies for CCOs
Maintaining an effective compliance program amid a continually shifting regulatory landscape presents distinct challenges for chief compliance officers. Drawing on perspectives from small, medium, and large firms, hear practical approaches to prioritizing risk, using AI to enhance compliance functions, managing disclosures and compliance resources, and conducting effective annual reviews, compliance testing, and third-party oversight. Also learn tips to address risks as your firm expands through mergers, acquisitions, or multiple offices.

Small Firms (Under $5B RAUM)

Medium Firms ($5B-$50B RAUM)

Large Firms (Over $50B RAUM)

Networking Lunch

Concurrent Compliance Breakout Sessions

Choose one session to attend. Video recordings of these breakout sessions will be available to attendees shortly after the conference.

Code of Ethics Elements: Managing Conflicts of Interest (Ethics Part 1)
How should advisers effectively identify and address conflicts of interest? Conflicts of interest remain at the core of advisers’ fiduciary obligations, and the Division of Examinations has again identified economic conflicts as an examination priority. Gain practical strategies for identifying, mitigating, and disclosing conflicts, governance, monitoring personal trading, addressing whistleblowers, strengthening your Code of Ethics, and fostering a culture of ethical decision-making. Learn how the SEC’s proposed rescission of the “pay to play” rule would fundamentally alter the federal framework for advisers’ political contributions, and how to meet your continuing fiduciary duty obligations, the compliance and code of ethics rules, and state and local requirements. This session is approved for one hour of IACCP® continuing education ethics credit.

Proxy Voting and Shareholder Engagement Developments
Hear the latest developments affecting proxy voting policies and practices, including the use of proxy advisory firms, conflicts of interest, disclosure obligations, and evolving regulatory expectations. Understand how recent SEC guidance and reports may impact shareholder engagement activities. Also be familiar with the SEC examinations initiative focused on proxy voting.

Back to the Future: DOL Retirement Rules in Transition
From evolving Department of Labor requirements to the rollout of Trump Accounts, the retirement landscape continues to change. Panelists will discuss recent retirement-related regulatory changes and their implications for investment advisers, including advisory services, disclosures, and conflicts of interest. Also learn practical tips for complying with fiduciary duties, rollovers, and considering alternative investments in retirement accounts.

GENERAL SESSION: Place Your Bets: Prediction Markets, Personal Trading, and Emerging MNPI Risks (Ethics Part 2)

The rapid growth of prediction markets is raising new questions about personal trading, material nonpublic information (MNPI), and standards of ethical conduct. Is your firm’s Code of Ethics keeping pace? Explore how to manage trading in prediction markets, MNPI risks, and the intersection of SEC, CFTC, and state regulations. Gain practical strategies for keeping your Code of Ethics and compliance program evergreen, managing conflicts of interest, and navigating potential enforcement minefields. This session is approved for one hour of IACCP® continuing education ethics credit.

Closing Remarks and Conference Adjournment

• Karen L. Barr, President & CEO, Investment Adviser Association