Background and Experience
Can you share a bit about your background and how you got into event organization within the finance and investment sector?
My background was initially in sales, and before joining Opal, I worked in marketing for my stepfather’s media company. Event organization was new to me when I started, but I’ve always had strong interpersonal skills, which helped me transition smoothly into the role. In this industry, building rapport and making people feel comfortable quickly is essential, and I found that my ability to connect with people played a significant role in my success in event organization.
Event Organization Approach
What is your guiding philosophy when it comes to organizing impactful conferences?
My guiding philosophy is to ensure our conferences offer value for everyone. Our events cater to a wide array of investors and service providers, each with unique goals. While it’s challenging to satisfy everyone, we strive to come as close as possible by designing a comprehensive experience that meets diverse needs and interests.
Can you describe the steps you take from the initial concept of an event to its final execution?
- Selecting the Location: Working with our Head of Meeting Planning, Joanna, prioritize and confirm well-known, accessible venues to ensure ease of attendance for participants.
- Engaging Our Core Audience: I begin outreach to our established clients—those who have not only benefited from our past events but have also significantly contributed to their success.
- Securing Industry Leaders: I connect with prominent figures in the industry to secure their commitment, adding credibility and interest to the event.
- Promoting to Sponsors: I ensure our sponsors are fully informed and engaged, highlighting the value they’ll gain by participating.
- Balancing Participants: Finally, I maintain an appropriate balance between investors and sponsors to foster productive interactions and networking opportunities.
What role does feedback from previous events play in your planning for future conferences?
Feedback is integral to our planning process. Our Head of Marketing, Domarc, ensures that feedback questionnaires are sent to all attendees within 48-72 hours after each event, allowing us to capture their impressions while they’re still fresh. We are always striving to enhance the quality of our events, and client feedback enables us to make incremental improvements, year after year. These small, continuous adjustments help us elevate the experience and meet evolving client expectations.
Audience Engagement
How do you determine the needs and interests of your audience when selecting topics for discussion?
We go straight to the source: our audience. They are the “boots on the ground” in the industry, so they provide invaluable insights into the issues that directly impact their work. Many of our panel topics are inspired by suggestions from our speakers, who live and breathe these subjects daily. This approach ensures that our discussions remain relevant and impactful, aligning closely with the interests and needs of our attendees.
What innovative strategies do you employ to engage attendees in a non-traditional format, especially with the fireside chat style?
One key strategy is to bring in high-caliber, well-known speakers who not only share relevant insights but also engage actively with the audience. For example, we recently hosted General Petraeus at our Napa event; he not only answered audience questions but also stayed afterward to chat with attendees, take photos, and connect personally. Additionally, having an exceptional chairman for the event makes a significant difference. A great chair can set the tone, energize the audience, and guide the discussion seamlessly. We were fortunate to have Jason Ma chair our last two family office events in the Hamptons and Napa, respectively, where his skillful facilitation enriched the panels and contributed to an engaging and dynamic atmosphere.
Speaker Selection and Preparation
How do you select and secure speakers for your events? What qualities do you look for in a speaker?
We select speakers based on their expertise on the topic and the value they bring to the discussion. However, we also prioritize dynamism and passion—qualities that make for an engaging, thought-provoking experience. Our goal is to choose individuals who can captivate the audience and spark meaningful conversations. One way I gauge a speaker’s effectiveness is by observing how engaged the audience is; if most attendees are focused on the stage rather than their devices, I know we’ve chosen well.
Content and Topics
How do you decide which investment topics are most relevant for each event, given the rapidly changing landscape?
I stay informed primarily through ongoing discussions with our panelists, attending other industry events, and keeping a close eye on current affairs through news broadcasts. Engaging directly with experts and staying updated on industry trends allows me to bring timely, relevant topics to our panels that resonate with our audience.
Future Trends and Adaptation
What trends do you foresee shaping the future of investment conferences, and how are you adapting your event strategies accordingly?
In our private wealth conferences, I anticipate a growing focus on the softer aspects of wealth management, such as legacy planning. As Millennials and Gen Zs begin to reshape investment preferences, transitioning from the Boomer and Gen X perspectives, these issues are becoming increasingly relevant. To address this shift, we are introducing new topics that delve into these areas, as we’ve observed a lack of such content within our community. Our goal is to ensure our events reflect and support these evolving priorities in wealth management.
How do you plan to incorporate emerging topics or technologies into your upcoming events?
We continuously update and adjust our panel topics to keep pace with current realities and emerging trends. For instance, our December and January events will feature discussions on the impact of the upcoming election—a topic that will undoubtedly affect many facets of our industry. This flexibility allows us to address timely issues and ensure our events remain relevant and impactful for our audience.
Personal Insights and Reflections
Reflecting on your past events, which moments or outcomes have been the most rewarding for you personally?
The most rewarding aspect has been the relationships I’ve built over time. I’ve been fortunate to form genuine friendships with some of my clients, which has made this work especially fulfilling. A particularly memorable moment was organizing our inaugural family office event in Southampton this past August. Bringing that event to life was a milestone, and seeing its success was incredibly gratifying.
How do you hope your events will impact the attendees and the broader investment community?
Through fostering connection. My vision is for our events to become gathering places where people not only learn best practices but also gain insights they can apply in their personal and professional lives. I want attendees to leave feeling educated, inspired, and equipped with valuable takeaways that will make a meaningful impact.
Preparation for Upcoming Events
As you prepare for the 25th Annual Endowment and Foundation Forum, what are your primary focus areas and objectives?
My primary focus is to restore the confidence and engagement levels we saw before COVID. In recent years, attendance has fallen below our expectations, so this year, our main goal is to attract a strong lineup of quality speakers and attendees. We’re also introducing fresh panel topics designed to bring a new energy to the conference and encourage dynamic interactions. Our aim is to create an experience that both reinvigorates past attendees and draws in new ones.
Advice and Future Aspirations
What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of event organization in specialized sectors like finance?
In this field, relationships are key; it’s essential to focus on building genuine connections before discussing business. Being outgoing and willing to invest time in getting to know people will be critical to your success. Additionally, be prepared for significant travel—it’s a large part of the job and an opportunity to connect with clients and partners face-to-face.
Looking ahead, are there any initiatives or goals you hope to pursue in your role with Opal Group?
In 2025, we’re excited to launch several new events, both nationally and internationally, to broaden our reach and impact. To support this expansion, I plan to grow our team in both size and expertise, with the goal of increasing our global relevance. By building a more diverse and capable team, we aim to deliver events that resonate across regions and industries.
Looking to Attend Your Next Events
What upcoming events can participants look forward to, and how can they best prepare to engage with the topics being discussed?
I’d say all our events offer something unique! However, if I had to choose, our Family Office events in Newport, RI, and the Hamptons stand out as our largest and most memorable gatherings. These events truly have a special atmosphere. For our clients, the best approach is to attend with an open mind—both toward the people they’ll meet and the panels they’ll experience. This openness allows them to fully embrace the insights and connections these events offer.
Initiatives or Next Steps
What initiatives or next steps are you considering to further enhance client relations and engagement within the investment community?
We are focused on expanding our social media presence to strengthen our connection with clients year-round. Additionally, we’re working to facilitate connections between clients outside of our conferences—where appropriate—to build a sense of community and keep the conversation going. By fostering these connections and creating ongoing buzz around our events, we aim to enhance our engagement and ensure that our events resonate well beyond the conference room.
Closing Thoughts
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for future events or your role in the industry?
I believe the future of the event space, like many other industries, will be significantly shaped by AI. Leveraging AI technology offers immense potential to scale our events more efficiently and effectively, enhancing everything from personalized attendee experiences to streamlined logistics. As we integrate these advancements, I’m excited about the possibilities for growth and innovation in delivering even more impactful events.
How can interested individuals stay updated on your upcoming events and initiatives?
Staying updated is easy! All our events are listed on our homepage at Opalgroup.net. You can also follow us on LinkedIn to see our latest announcements and visit our Instagram page for behind-the-scenes updates and highlights from current events.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Heather Tietjen
