Preferred stock and bond offerings and DTC eligibility -- why it's an important business development opportunity.

DTC-eligible, non-traded preferred stocks and bonds can be an inroad to bigger broker-dealers and RIAs. Explore the process, ease of doing business, challenges and rewards.

Moderator: Al Haworth, Preferred Apartment Communities

Participants: Brannon McPherson, Evolv Capital; Merriah Harkins, GWG Holdings; Josh Hoffman, Bluerock

Enjoy light refreshments as you meet and network with other women in the alternative and direct investment industry. Share your experiences, learn professional strategies, discuss professional and personal challenges that women face, and network with the women leaders and future leaders in the industry.

Featuring Speaker  Cheri Tree

In this session you will learn how to:

• Crack others’ personality codes in less than 90 seconds

• Connect quickly and on a deeper level with your prospects

• Communicate clearly and effectively in any situation

• Deliver memorable presentations that emphasize your core message

• Accelerate customer acquisition and increase retention

• Develop a highly trained sales force with a competitive advantage

• Expand your business and lead your teams to record success

• Maximize your influence and capitalize on your charisma

Are you ready to increase your sales up to 300 percent? If so, this session will unlock the secrets, the science, and the system to supercharge your sales and build solid relationships, personally and professionally. When you crack the personality code, you will achieve record sales and real wealth that you can take to the BANK!

As 1031 exchange offerings continue to grow, many financial advisors are looking at this as a means to significantly grow their practice. Come join our industry experts who will discuss:

• Determining which clients may be suitable;

• Opening doors to prospective clients;

• Changes in offering structure;

• Most promising assets classes for a 1031 exchange; and

• What lies ahead for the industry

These topics and more will be introduced to those interested in entering this lucrative market.

Moderator: Dana Woodbury, Buttonwood Financial Services

Presenters: Taylor Garrett, Orchard Securities; Stephen Decker, IPX 1031; Mike Bendix, DFPG Investments

As an advisor, rep, broker-dealer and/or RIA, how can we employ technology to improve supervision, regulatory concerns, clients' needs, investment analysis, billing, tax reporting, and provide metrics for better business management.

What is available and how to choose?

General discussion to show improvements in available portals, and what to look for when choosing platforms, software and other needed technology.

Moderator: Vali Nasr, ClaraPHI Advisory Network

Presenters: Eric Clarke, Orion Advisor Services; Mike Wilson, AdvisoryWorld Financial Technology

This session is aimed to introduce and/or enhance financial advisor knowledge on highly competitive private equity business. Session includes introduction to private equity, structure, funding cycles, deal sourcing and underwriting, portfolio management, and negotiated exit strategies.

Presenter: Craig Faggen, Triton Pacific Securities

One of the newest areas in product innovation are preferred stock offerings. Learn how to conduct due diligence on non-traded redeemable preferred stock programs which offer many differences to traditional non-traded common stock offerings. What unique due diligence points should be considered for this product structure? Additionally, explore how broker-dealers and advisors should position these securities considering they are covered securities with enhanced liquidity options that are not subject to state suitability restrictions.    

Moderator: Scott Smith, FactRight

Participants: Lenny Silverstein, Preferred Apartment Communities; Amanda Teeple, Evolv Capita; Jason Plucinak, GWG Holdings

This session will provide a historical perspective of the development of the non-traded REIT market including capital raise, leaders in fund raising annually, liquidity events and the future for the capital markets for real estate. What will be the REIT structure for the future?

Facilitator: Kevin Gannon, Robert A. Stanger & Co.

Presenters: Kevin Shields, Griffin Capital Corporation; Michael Miller, Sigma Financial Corporation; Steve Williams, Cantor Fitzgerald

Suggested best practices for organized, effective, timely due diligence reviews, marketing opportunities once a product is approved, and advisor education resulting in a successful product review and launch from the perspective of different-sized broker-dealers and sponsors.

Moderator: Amanda Teeple, Evolv Capital

Participants: Zach Forman, Griffin Capital Corporation; Matt Malone, FS Investments; Peter Magnuson, Securities America

This will be a first in class educational session for firms with exposure to energy and those who are planning to add exposure to energy in 2017 and beyond. This session is intended to bring reps, advisors, family offices, due diligence officers, and C-level executives up to speed about what's happening within oil & gas markets and how such developments are affecting investment programs within the non-traded oil & gas alternatives sector. Among the subjects to be addressed include: (i) types of programs being funded today; (ii) areas where the oil & gas sponsors are putting money to work; (iii) what the more desirable investment opportunities look like today; and (iv) what challenges continue to exist for sponsors in view of the current commodities pricing environment.

Moderator: Justin Reich, APX Energy

Participants: Cutler Gist, Montego Minerals; Thomas Hille, JRL Capital Advisors; Matthew Iak, U.S. Energy Development Corporation

ADISA’s intrepid newsman (and president) goes in exploration of the newest entrants to our space. Blazing new trails, our newsman searches out original sources for a new share class, discovers what block chain technology is and how to invest in it, and talks to those who organize EB5 visa investment projects, and more. Tune in now for the latest. Don’t wait until 11:00.    

Anchorman: John Grady, ADISA President, DLA Piper

Interviewees: Kurt Reuss, EB5Deals.com; Bryan Kelley, Webb Creek Management Group; Jaron Lukasiewicz, Rhodes Corporation

This session will identify detailed aspects of the DPP structure.  We will examine typical varieties of offering structures and the corresponding related potential benefits and risks associated with investments in DPPs. Examples of topics covered will be the investment process of sales, suitability and required disclosures. Panelists will identify how certain rules and regulations apply to the various types of offerings and why due diligence is an absolute critical part of the process to identify potential risks.  DPPs cover a wide variety of industry sectors including but not limited to real estate, energy, equipment and commercial debt.  Because they have a low correlation to traditional asset classes they can provide excellent diversification to a portfolio heavy in stocks when positioned correctly.  Generally speaking, DPPs are traditionally illiquid and difficult to value; thus, considered a risky proposition, but they absolutely have their place in an investment portfolio. This session will also address the legal, tax and regulatory issues surrounding DPP offerings with some of the best minds in the industry!    

Moderator: Greg Mausz, Preferred Apartment Communities

Participants: Erin Gray, CNL Financial; Bill Winn, Starboard Realty Advisors; Austin Dutton, BDA Bridge Valley Financial

This panel will discuss the potential threats to 1031s/DSTs/TICs that may create long term issues and what broker-dealers, advisors and investors should be asking of sponsors. Learn how top broker-dealers, registered reps and sponsors analyze current investment offerings to protect their clients long-term from market cycles and economic disruptions.     

Moderator: Mike O'Toole, AEI Capital Corporation

Participants: Dave Laga, DFPG Investments; Rahul Sehgal, Inland Private Capital Corporation; Joe Nugent, Effective 1031 Planning

How can you determine what is the fake news and what is real with respect to crowdfunding and platforms? Will crowdfunding and platforms trump more traditional methods of distribution? Have Regulation A+ and Rule 506(c) repealed and replaced Rule 506(b)? Watch our broker-dealer panelists give a candid and (clearly stated) biased view of crowdfunding, general solicitation, platforms and Regulation A+, including the legal and practical pitfalls and benefits for each.

Moderator: Cameron Hellewell, Orchard Securities

Participants: Tim Witt, Concorde Investment Services; Tim Snodgrass, Arete Wealth Management; Darryl Steinhause, DLA Piper

The world in which sponsors, broker-dealers and advisors are operating is shifting at a faster pace than ever before. Change presents opportunity, and in order to seize opportunity, firms must figure out where to get and how to interpret key data, to gain unique insight that can lead to a competitive edge.

Join our discussion covering the impact of data-driven insights, and how firms are managing a rapidly evolving environment to turn insights into opportunity.

Facilitator: Lee Iredell, Iredell Consulting

Presenters: Mike Huisman, DST Systems; Mike Kell, AI Insight

There has been a sharp increase of institutional managers creating products for the retail distribution channel. How are these products different than traditional retail product offerings, and how are they impacting the broader space? Institutional managers are also setting their sights on retail capital raising opportunities. How can RIAs and BDs position themselves as viable distributors for these institutional asset managers? Institutional investors value different metrics than the traditional retail investor -- how is due diligence on the institutional side conducted, and what metrics are important to them?

Moderator: Geoffrey Dohrmann, Institutional Real Estate, Inc.

Participants: Steve Williams, Cantor Fitzgerald; Frank Muller, Provasi Capital Partners; Steve Kantor, S2K Financial; Glenn Mueller, Black Creek Group

The past several years have seen tremendous growth in the retail alternative investment funds space. Tender offer closed-end funds, interval funds and other alternative investments have lowered the barrier for entry for investors who might never have considered traditional alternative investment funds like hedge funds or private equity funds. Because of the illiquid nature of their investments, these retail alt funds are usually structured as closed-end funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This session will examine the basic structure and operation of a closed-end fund, the investment strategies that can be pursued by a closed-end fund, and the factors that investors and financial advisors should be aware of when considering these products.

Facilitator: Martin Dozier, Alston & Bird

Participants: Randy Anderson, Griffin Capital Corporation; Drew Dornbusch, NorthStar Securities; Robert Hoffman, FS Investments

Join us for the official kick-off to ADISA's 2017 Annual Conference & Trade Show. ADISA's 2017 award winners will also be announced and recognized.

Trade press interviews ADISA leadership on current trends facing the industry, association strategic relations and long-term vision, and upcoming “must-know-about” developments affecting finance industry professionals.

Interviewer: Jennifer Dohrmann-Alpert, Real Assets Adviser

Participants: John Grady, ADISA President, DLA Piper; Keith Lampi, ADISA President-Elect, Inland Private Capital Corporation; John Harrison, ADISA Executive Director/CEO

Regulatory Updates Including FINRA, NASAA, SEC and Other Important Issues

Moderator: Catherine Bowman, The Bowman Law Firm

Participants: Faith Anderson, Washington State Securities Division; Joe Price, FINRA; Bryan Bennett, SEC

An Exclusive Conversation with President George W. Bush:

The Challenges Facing Our Nation in the 21st Century and the Power of Freedom

This session is only open to those who are registered to attend ADISA's 2017 Annual Conference & Trade Show. Those who wish to attend President Bush's session must bring a valid photo ID, which will be checked against conference name badges prior to entering the session.

The following are NOT permitted:

• Large bags, backpacks, briefcases, laptop bags, event bags, suitcases, etc.

• Purses larger than a clutch

• Weapons of any kind, including knives

• Pepper spray

• Coats

• Umbrellas

• Selfie sticks

• Air horns or noisemakers

PLEASE NOTE: No photography or video allowed during this presentation, and there will not be a photo opportunity queue following his presentation. This session is off-the-record and closed to the media.

Learn from an active broker-dealer and RIA that have incorporated self-directed IRAs into their practices. Also listen to what the custodians have to say with regard to supporting the industry for non-publicly traded asset custody in retirement accounts.

Participants: Jason DeBono, NuView IRA; William McCance, Trust Advisory Group; Matt Holscher, PENSCO Trust Company

This session is an energy-related tax planning educational opportunity for BDs, RIAs, and family offices. This two-part lecture is intended to discuss trending energy private placements with significant income tax benefits. During the lectures, you will hear about non-traded investments that use renewable energy funding and mineral acquisitions to achieve valued tax planning objectives. The first part of the lecture will examine the transactional considerations, economics, and  risks that relate to 1031 energy programs. The second part of the lecture will include a discussion of the transactional structure, economics, and tax consequences that relate to solar energy project financings. Ample Q&A to follow the lectures. 

Facilitator: Erin Gray, CNL Financial

Presenters: Michael Mills, Renewable Energy Alternatives; Brad Updike, Mick | Law

A panel of expert attorneys will discuss and debate a number of 1031-related topics, including:

• Delaware Statutory Trust offering structure;

• Tax opinions;

• Master leases; and

• Springing LLCs

Some of the brightest minds in the DST community pick up where they left off at the ADISA Due Diligence Forum. Don't miss the fireworks!

Moderator: Scott Sheehan, DFPG Investments

Participants: Darryl Steinhause, DLA Piper; Steve Meier, Seyfarth Shaw; Peter Matejcak, Baker McKenzie

What are the different ways an advisors and their clients can include an exposure to real estate assets in their portfolio? How does the market stack up with offerings that provide those means of access? Discuss the pros and cons of income vs. growth and equity vs. debt.

Moderator: Matt Mayer, Berthel Fisher

Participants: Bill Shopoff, Shopoff Realty Investments; Ramin Kamfar, Bluerock Real Estate; Michael Burwell, Redwood Mortgage; Steve Williams, Cantor Fitzgerald

Sponsors frequently face a series of obstacles, pitfalls, and opportunities to consider as they evaluate this distribution channel and seek to access it as a source of capital raising. This session will seek to provide real estate and other alternative asset managers looking to access capital markets with a practical, step-by-step approach for launching a successful offering.

Moderator: Chip Cunningham, Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank

Participants: Bryan Mick, Mick | Law; Taylor Garrett, Orchard Securities; Corey Maple, Lodging Opportunity Fund, REIT

Financial advisors today face a myriad of challenges in their daily practices. They must wear many hats, including those of asset manager, financial planner, psychologist and marketer in order to succeed in today's ever-changing, dynamic marketplace. While most advisors wear each of these respective hats well, there are always one or two roles that present challenges. This panel will provide discussions specific to the various strategies implemented by successful advisors with a focus on growing their practice, while maintaining long-term client relationships.

Presenter: Rajeev Kotyan, Innovative Advisory Group; Sean Barrett, Cornerstone Family Office

Business Development Companies (BDCs) offer investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios with debt investments for stable and attractive income. In today's market, there are now a number of quality BDCs to choose from that have differentiated investment strategies, portfolio construction, and management styles. Join this session to hear from industry experts, understand the benefits BDCs provide vs. REITs and other structures, and learn about the various strategies currently being deployed.

Moderator: Derek Peterson, Terra Capital Partners

Participants: Brian Buehler, Triton Pacific Securities; Robert Hoffman, FS Investments; Brian Mitts, Highland Capital Management

This session will identify best practices with respect to working in the arena of Direct Participation Programs (DPPs).  The panelists will provide an outline of the key fundamental elements that should be considered and evaluated when reviewing and prior to working with a DPP. Industry experts will share their best ideas for what really works when it comes to implementing DPPs into one's practice. Collectively, industry participants including issuers, sponsors, broker-dealers, registered representatives, investment advisors, attorneys, and third party analysts can participate and play key roles by providing essential input on how to conduct proper due diligence and evaluate investment offerings due to the unique nuances in each program.  Because they have a low correlation to traditional asset classes, DPPs can provide excellent diversification to a portfolio heavy in stocks when positioned correctly.

Moderator: Jan Ryan, JCC Advisors

Participants: Coby Johnson, Four Spring Capital Trust; Mark Petersen, MBD Solutions; Matthew Peoples, Sealy & Company

Reg A+ -- more transparency than private placements? Lower cost than public offerings? Does Reg A+ provide the best of both worlds or a new set of complexities? Reg A+ has been around long enough now to evaluate the progress. These experts will update attendees on the latest in Reg A+ statistics and trends, and examine Reg A+'s journey so far.

Moderator: Tom Voekler, Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank

Participants: Jon Merriman, B. Riley Financial; Gordon McBean, Cambria Capital; Matt Leiter, GK Development; Robert Kaplan, Jr., HC Government Realty Trust

Sponsors launch a product expecting that its capital raise will be a success and will be readily accepted by financial advisors and the investing public. Yet regardless of how compelling an investment strategy the fund has or the experience and capability of the fund manager, many offerings stall due to several factors:

• Sponsor does or does not have the financial ability to handle the fund raising process

• Sponsor underestimates the time it takes for the due diligence process the IBDs must follow

• First time sponsors don’t fully appreciate the time and cost of launching a product in the IBD channel

• Sponsors should consult the front line participants on program structures to get a feel for what structure investors are most interested.

This session will examine some of the issues that fund sponsors should consider in structuring their product to appeal to financial advisors and their clients, and the pitfalls that fund sponsors should avoid. In particular, this session will focus on the following questions:

• For a first-time fund sponsor, is it more effective to create a captive broker-dealer with dedicated wholesalers or hire a managing broker-dealer?

• Are multiple investment classes a necessity in the current environment for products? Why or why not?

• Are perpetual-life entities or finite-life entities more appealing in the current environment? How frequently should a public fund offer liquidity to be appealing to broker-dealers?

• Should a private fund expect to offer liquidity?

• Should a fund sponsor seek to appeal to multiple distribution channels (broker-dealers, RIAs, family offices) with a single product? Why or why not?

• What is the number one reason that an offering fails to raise sufficient capital?

• What is the one piece of advice you would give to first time fund sponsors about capital raising?

Moderator: Brent Barton, MBD Solutions

Participants: Brannon McPherson, Evolv Capital; Michael Miller, Sigma Financial Corporation; David Hock, Arete Wealth Management; Neil Greene, Newbridge Securities Corporation

Whatever role you play in the alternative investment field there are certain marketing fundamentals that will help you reach your target audience in a very professional manner. Learn marketing best practices, including how the role of messaging, content and execution through a variety of mediums will help your business grow and influence how you are perceived in the marketplace.

Presenters: Damon Elder, Spotlight Marketing Communications; Eric Fischgrund, Fischtank Marketing & PR

Session aimed to offer private equity insight from executive management and portfolio management regarding deal sourcing, underwriting, portfolio management and why current market conditions make sense for mainstream retail investors to look at private equity.

Participants: Craig Goos, GPB Capital; Grant Mathey, Mick | Law; Craig Faggen, Triton Pacific Securities

This panel will feature top financial advisors in the 1031 industry. The session will be led off by a real life example of the tax benefits of completing an exchange vs. paying taxes, and how to present the advantages to the client. This will be followed with a discussion of ideas and advice from some of the most seasoned and successful professionals in the industry. Get ready to take notes and increase your book of business!

Moderator: Mark Kosanke, Concorde Investment Services

Participants: Debra Schleining, McDermott Investment Services; Jack Creighton, Sourcenet Investment Services

Learn how to incorporate the endowment model into your practice so as to incorporate alternative assets with direct investment programs alongside publicly traded assets to improve the probability of achieving clients’ objects in a volatile market. Discuss endowment style investing, how Yale has successfully used alternatives and steadily increased its allocation to alternatives to achieve higher returns, to demonstrate new ways of investing for individuals investors, the old 60/40 model may not provide the diversification expected. Demonstrate the impact of alternatives on investment portfolios and how to emulate the Yale endowment and David Swensen's investment management strategy and theory for individual investors to help lower exposure to volatile markets and still achieve desired objectives.    

Moderator: Daniel Oschin, Shopoff Realty Investments

Participants: Vince Annable, Wealth Strategies Advisory Group; James Steuterman, Arctrust, Inc.; Vali Nasr, ClaraPHI Advisory Network; Carter Williams, iSelect Fund

As new products blur the lines between traditional and alternative structures, industry participants are working to determine the appropriate onboarding for innovative products. A panel of industry leaders will offer broker-dealer, third-party due diligence and sponsor perspectives on potential hurdles for new product offerings. Find out what product features are critical to determining the path for due diligence and current industry practices in this dynamic environment.  

Moderator: Matt Malone, FS Investments

Participants: Susan Kelly, Commonwealth; Todd Snyder, Snyder Kearney; Josh Hoffman, Bluerock Real Estate

Learn to manage the due diligence process in a way that is efficient and yet thorough so that you can provide the best to your clients, while reducing resource utilization within your firm.

Moderator: Darren Whissen, Atomi Financial Group

Participants: Aaron Rosen, Lucia Capital Group; Matt Chancey, ClaraPHI Advisory Network; Todd Doorenbos, Arete Wealth Management

Financial advisors today face a myriad of challenges in their daily practices. They must wear many hats, including those of asset manager, financial planner, psychologist and marketer to succeed in today’s ever-changing, dynamic marketplace. While most advisors wear their respective hats well, there are always one or two roles that present challenges. Successful advisors will discuss specific strategies they have implemented to grow their practices and maintain long-term client relationships.  

Moderator: Jason Kavanaugh, Concorde Investment Services

Participants: Scott Sheehan, DFPG Investments; Joe Michaletz, Concorde Investment Services; Ian Filippini, Filippini Wealth Management; Mark Upchurch, Centaurus Financial

Alternative investment product structures have evolved significantly over the last few years. The panel will discuss how the evolution of product structures and their related attributes have resulted in new challenges and complexities in the diligence process. The panel will also explore ways to mitigate such challenges.

Moderator: Tyler Green, The Bowman Law Firm

Participants: Deborah Froling, Kutak Rock; Bart Malcom, Triloma; Peter Magnuson, Securities America

Learn about strategies using venture capital and innovative insurance-related products and services to enhance diversification and differentiate an advisory practice in both the independent broker-dealer and RIA channels.

Moderator: Bryan Mick, Mick | Law

Participants: Matthew Paine, GWG Holdings; Carter Williams, iSelect Fund; Matt Nemic, Shurwest

The more legislative portion of the L&R update, covering current issues such as tax reform and other national legislative developments.

Presenters: Larry Sullivan, Passco Companies; Tom Rosenfield, Hillstaffer; Robert J. Cogan, Senior Policy Advisor, House Budget Committee Office of Tax and Revenues

Roger Ibbotson, Ph.D.

Chairman & Chief Investment Officer

Zebra Capital Management, LLC

Firms looking to grow their business are looking at expanding their distribution footprint to include new prospects, including investment advisers. Speakers for this session will provide current data on alternative investment product sales by channel and other measures, and will discuss what it takes to effectively take aim at the adviser channel from a product as well as a selling perspective. The moderator will ensure that the panelists have time to address questions from the audience.

Moderator: John Grady, ADISA President, DLA Piper

Participants: Michael Andrews, DST/Kasina; Brandon Marrs, Marrs Group

ADISA's popular gathering of broker-dealers. This year's program features follow-up work on the practical effects of the fiduciary rule and how broker-dealers are dealing with it.

As an advisor, your existing book could have at least double the assets than you currently have. Learn how to gather and keep the AUM you deserve while enhancing your brand more through process than product.

Moderator: Austin Dutton, Bridge Valley Financial

Panelists: Ray Lucia Jr., Lucia Securities; Patrick McSherry, LCM Investment Management

Is the cybersecurity situation getting better? Or is it getting worse? Join us for a discussion about the current state of exposures (hint: like regulation, cybersecurity issues are not going away). We will tackle topics from broader global and industry concerns down to practical steps that you can incorporate into your life to improve your business and personal security. If you think that cybersecurity, privacy and handling customer data is the IT department's problem, think again. "It's not my job" or "I'm not a techie" is going to fall on deaf regulatory ears. And that is all before you consider the potential for damage or interruption of your business from an actual attack or compromise of your systems.

Facilitator: Lee Iredell, Iredell Consulting

Presenter: Tom Embrogno, Docupace

This in-depth session will examine the state of technology in our industry, the benefits of investing in technology, and popular technology solutions, as well as common technology traps. Special discussion points to be covered include:

• The importance of full integration with custodians

• Best practices for choosing technology

• Asset custody to ensure your providers is a growth partner vs. potential competitor

Facilitator: Brian Buehler, Triton Pacific Capital Partners

Presenter: Melissa Sanders, Trust Company of America

As the economy continues to recover, regulations are constraining banks' corporate lending, 10-year loads made before the downturn are due for refinancing, and interest rates are anticipated to increase over the next few years. Meanwhile, institutions are recognizing the opportunity to provide private lending, why shouldn't retail investors have access as well? Join this session to learn of the various programs available through the issuers working in the IBD and RIA channels. What should broker-dealers and advisors be aware of when considering the different programs? What markets offer the best potential?

Moderator: Dana Woodbury, Buttonwood Investment Services

Participants: Stephen Hamrick, Terra Capital Partners; Peter Magnuson, Securities America

After the economic crisis of 2008/2009, government imposed regulation has created significant pressure on the financial services sector in attempt to prevent another crisis. It is not easy running a company, especially in today's fast-paced, ever-changing business world. Each CEO on this panel will provide an overview of changes and adjustments they had to implement in both product design and distribution strategy, with a focus on sustaining growth, while bringing to market investment products that satisfy investors' changing needs.

Moderator: John Rooney, Commonwealth Financial Network

Panelists: Michael Kelly, President & Chief Investment Officer, FS Investments; Michael T. Ezzell, CEO, Inland Securities Corporation; Ramin Kamfar, Founder & CEO, Bluerock Real Estate; Kevin Shields, Chairman & CEO, Griffin Capital Corporation