ASC students attend annual TD Ameritrade financial planning conference

A pair of Alfred State College (ASC) financial planning majors were among just 54 students from throughout the nation who recently attended TD Ameritrade’s 2018 National LINC Conference in Orlando, FL.

Held annually, the conference invites schools with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board Registered Programs to attend. This year, Alfred State was one of 27 colleges represented, as Madison Webster (Painted Post) and Adam Wilkins (Rochester) participated in the conference.

For four days, Webster and Wilkins expanded their knowledge on the latest financial planning trends, technology, and business solutions with workshops, conference sessions, and thought-provoking conversation about topics such as marketing growth and retirement plan opportunities. Additionally, they were able to connect with peers, industry experts, conference sponsors, and technology partners through one-on-one sessions and group interactions.

Scott DuMond, assistant professor in the Alfred State Business Department, said the conference was incredibly helpful to the Webster and Wilkins.

“Not only did TD Ameritrade cover the expenses for the students, but they offered specific training designed for a college student in a financial planning program that will help them grow into excellent financial planners in the future,” DuMond said. “They also provided numerous opportunities to network with financial planners and firms that hire and do business with financial planners. Madison and Adam both shared that this was an incredibly beneficial week for them. Thank you TD Ameritrade.”

Wilkins said, “It was an honor to represent myself and my school at such a nationally recognized event. The conference was a great learning experience; not only were we able to listen and learn from industry experts, but it was also a great opportunity to meet existing advisers in the field and network. It really reinforced my excitement for my future profession and my pride in the financial planning program at Alfred State.”

Webster said she is so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the conference. She noted she was able to network with advisers who provided her with very helpful advice, as well as students from other institutions of higher education.

“Since I am the president of the FPA (Financial Planning Association) student chapter at Alfred State, I was able to meet with other E-Board members from other schools, and we shared what we do to keep our clubs active on campus,” she said. “I made a lot of new friends, learned a ton of information from different sessions and speaking events, and am so thankful for TD to have given me this opportunity.”