Welcome Reception sponsored by New York Life Stable Value Investment

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Fidelity

‘Essentials’ Seminar 
Opening Remarks

• 529 ‘Essentials’ Seminar 2024 Welcome and Overview

Paul Curley, Director of 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

529 Primer & Landscape

• Background and beginning of 529 plans
• Types of plans, features and requirements
• Historical milestones leading up to where we are today

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Federal Tax & Regulatory Framework

• Legislative benefits and features
• The role of municipal issuer and program manager
• Tax benefits, considerations, and guidance under IRC Section 529
• Fundamentals of contributions, asset growth and distributions
• Qualified expenses, exemptions to the 10% penalty tax, estate & gift taxes
• State Law requirements and tax regulation of the issuer/program by the IRS
• Securities regulation of the issuer, program manager, distributor, investment manager by SEC, MSRB

Presenter
Mark Chapleau, Esq., Founding Member, Chapleau Law Group LLC

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Catalis

Plan Governance & Administration Best Practices

• Oversight and fiduciary duties of 529 entities
• Guidance on good governance processes
• The underpinnings for disclosure best practices
• Advertising best practices

Presenter
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Structuring & Evaluating the Investment Lineup

• Investment structure in philosophy and in practice
• Defining key terms and differentiating factors
• Investment types and management style trends
• New asset classes, trends in selection, and review of fees types

Presenter
Luis Sierra, CFA, Vice President, Marquette Associates

Lunch sponsored by BlackRock

Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview

• Introduction to MSRB’s role with 529 plans and FINRA’s role in advertising 529 plans 
• Rulemaking and advertising fundamentals, processes, and updates 
• Best practices for industry participants and upcoming topics for review 
• Questions, comments, and how best to engage with MSRB and FINRA
• FINRA and MSRB’s recent activity and areas of focus including notices, rule proposals and upcoming topics for review 

Presenters
Ira Gluck, Senior Director, Advertising Regulation, FINRA
Derek Ashworth, Associate Director, Advertising Regulation, FINRA
Abha Mohla, Senior Associate Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Bri Joiner, Senior Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board

529 Stable Value 101

Join the Stable Value Investment Association for a beginner-friendly discussion on stable value. In this session, we will explore the fundamentals of how these funds operate, identify key players in the industry, and provide a high-level overview of their performance statistics over time. Whether you’re new to stable value or just looking to brush up, this session will equip you with essential insights into stable value.

Presenter
Zach Gieske, President, Stable Value Investment Association (SVIA)

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Pacific Life

The College Finance Landscape

Understanding College Costs, the Changing Financial Aid Terrain, the Impact of Student Loan Debt & Obstacles to Saving for College:
In this session, we will cover:

• Updates to the FAFSA
• Demystifying the Financial Aid Formula
• The Student Loan Landscape and the Impact of Student Loans on Saving for College
• Obstacles to Saving for College and what we can do to help families overcome

Presenters
Julie Shields-Rutyna, Senior Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, MEFA
Stacey MacPhetres, Senior Director, College Finance, College Coach

Comparing College Savings Vehicles: How do 529s Stack Up?

• How do 529s alternatives stack up by Stack?
• Categories of education savings/investment vehicles
• Strength and weaknesses of different savings vehicles

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Taco Takeover! Enjoy a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes at 529’s Mexican-themed party.
brought to you by Prudential Stable Value

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Capital Group | American Funds

529 Conference 2024: Chair’s Welcome and State of the 529 Industry

• 529 Conference 2024 Day 1 Welcome and Opening Remarks
• State of the 529 and Education Financial Planning Industry
• Critical Growth Drivers, Themes & Opportunities from a Proprietary Data and Market Research Perspective

Presenter
Paul Curley, Director of 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

State’s Perspective on Industry Trends and Building Momentum

As the 529 industry continues to grow, we always celebrate that our market is founded upon the early state-run prepaid plans created by the vision, foresight and determination of the state agencies and treasury departments to help families nationwide. From the 1996 authorization of Section 529, the U.S. Congress never wavered in placing the stewardship of our Plans with the States. While the market today would not exist without investment managers, wealth managers, program administrators and technology developers, we bring the story board back to its foundation with this panel of State leaders, who will share their visions for setting the industry’s direction to reach its full potential growth ahead.

Moderator
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Panelists
Kimberly Yee, Treasurer, State of Arizona
Steven Johnson, Treasurer, State of Kansas
Richard Ellis, Executive Director, my529

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by John Hancock

Product Strategy Trends and Outlook

• Impact of New and Potential Legislative Enhancements on Product
• Leveraging Internal & External Partnerships to Drive Growth
• Optimizing Investment Platforms for Current & Future Clients
• Simplification, Enhancements & Partnerships for Broadening Utilization
• Best Practices, Outlook & Opportunities

Moderator
Trisha Good, Executive Director, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority (OTTA)

Panelists
Tricia Scarlata, Executive Director, Head of Education Savings, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
David Bell, Vice President, Vestwell
Rob Forshée, Product Manager, Wealth Management Client Group, Capital Group
Derek DeLorenzo, Senior Director, Business Development | Education Savings, TIAA

Alternative Payments for Distributions

• How to drive 529 utilization by aligning with trending consumer preferences, financial behaviors, and institutional trust
• State agency and product provider considerations including fraud management, data utilization rates, and implementation oversight
• Digital wallets, payment networks & banks, and the way of doing business in 2024 from a parent and fintech perspective

Panelists
Miladys Felix, Senior Sales Executive, Discover Global Network
Patricia Roberts, Chief Operating Officer, Gift of College
Bryn Ramjoue, Director of Marketing, my529

Lunch sponsored by T. Rowe Price

Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategies

• 529 marketing to consumers: education across generations
• 529 marketing to Financial Professionals: breaking down regulations and markets
• Old school versus new: which is more effective in the paper vs electronic debate
• How to create Successful Messaging
• Audience Call to Action

Moderator
William Thompson, Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board

Panelists
Lindsay Tobin, Marketing Manager, Ascensus
Jori Horn, Head of 529 Marketing and Relationship Management, Principal Asset Management^SM
Anthony Durkan, Vice President, Head of 529 Relationship Management, Fidelity Investments

Alternative Payments for Contributions, Emerging Trends & Opportunities

• Consumer Preferences – What are the current and emerging consumer trends, challenges and opportunities from the state, platform, payments and fintech perspective?
• Opportunities – How can product providers work with payments and fintech firms to drive growth while balancing needs for consumer protection and oversight?
• Pain Points & Solutions – How will changes in payments and fintech improve ease of use, expand user demographics, and solve issues across the industry?
• Outlook – What big picture trends and opportunities do states, platforms, payments and fintech firms see for the industry and families over the next three years?

Moderator
Rachel Biar, Deputy State Treasurer for Savings Programs | Director, NEST 529 Education Savings, Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office

Panelists
Maria Padin, VP Strategic Relationships, Catalis College Savings & ABLE Savings Administration
Wayne Weber, CEO, Gift of College
Sunny Thakkar, Sr. Director Product Management, Worldpay
Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation, MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by MFS

529 Stable Value for 529s

• Learn how the different speakers interact in the cross section of stable value and 529s.
• Why would state agencies, product providers, administrators and users want stable value in their line-up, and what does wrap do?
• Benefits and use case scenarios in the current market environment
• How to simplify the message and demystify the product for the 529 stakeholders and their families.
• What questions should state agencies be asking in their board meetings from an implementation and oversight perspective?

Moderator
Troy Runnells, CFO/COO, my529

Panelists
Ben Soltsov, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Mark Wojciak, Director | New Business & Strategy, Prudential Financial
Michael Leonberger, Senior Portfolio Manager, Invesco Stable Value

National Broker-Dealers View on Product, Marketing & Distribution Strategies

• How do home offices and their fleet of advisors support their clients in achieving their education financial planning goals?
• How has recent legislation impacted their firm’s approach to 529s and financial planning, and what has been the advisor and client response to date?
• What trends have national broker-dealers seen to date in 2024 from a pricing, share class, platform, product, marketing, and distribution perspective?
• How can product providers and states better support advisors and the home office to drive increased utilization in 2025?

Moderator
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Panelists
Brea Tabernik, Product Leader; 529 and DAF Strategy, Managed Investments, Edward Jones
Chuck Ranney, Vice President – Mutual Funds, CEFs & 529 Plans, Ameriprise Financial
Ryan White, CFP^®, CIMA^®, Senior Director | 529 Plans, Product Management, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Richard Polimeni, Managing Director, Head of Education Savings Programs, Investment Solutions Group, Bank of America Merrill
Risa Schulz, Executive Director, Product Development Manager, Morgan Stanley

A night in the Caribbean sponsored by Worldpay

“Evening in Amalfi” sponsored by Scholar’s Edge and Principal

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Orion

Opening Remarks & ABLE Industry Update

• 529 Conference 2024 Day 2 Opening Remarks
• ABLE Industry Trends from a Proprietary Data and Analysis Perspective
• Benchmarking Growth and Utilization Rates Through Market Data
• Partnership Opportunities, Consumer Perspective & Industry Outlook

Presenter
Paul Curley, Director of 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook

• Key strategic themes in investment menu and asset allocation design
• Tactical implementation in the current market and economic environment
• Trends in evaluating and creating an optimal investment line-up
• New trends such as plan rating research, default investment options, glide paths, multi-asset approaches, conservative investment options and more

Moderator
Kay Ceserani, Managing Principal, Consultant, Meketa Investment Group

Panelists
Kim DeDominicis, Portfolio Manager, T. Rowe Price
Edward Kaminski, Corporate Vice President – Business Consultant, New York Life Stable Value
Hyunmin Kim, Analyst, Multi-Asset & Alternatives Manager Research, Morningstar Research Services LLC
Polina Tsybrovska, Multi-Asset Investment Specialist, Capital Group

Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Flywire

Top-5 Education Financial Planning Strategies

• How do these firms support education financial planning with their teams of advisors and their end clients?
• Leading with planning first, what types of client scenarios arise and what are the top strategies in today’s environment?
• What are the best practices, perspectives, and processes to drive client success?
• Where are the opportunities for improvement and collaboration, and how can we help?

Moderator
Mark E. DiSipio, CIMA®, Vice President, 529 Sales Leader, US Wealth Advisory, BlackRock

Panelists
Travis Brickfield, Senior Manager, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James
Heather Zack, JD, LLM, MSFP, CAP®, Manager, Advanced Planning, Commonwealth Financial Network^®
Isaac Chota, 529 & DAF Product Manager, UBS Financial Services Inc.
Jeannette Haen, Vice President, Education Planning Consultant, Wealth Solutions Group | Investment Solutions, Robert W. Baird & Co.

529 & ABLE Outlook

Bringing together the perspective of College Savings Foundation (CSF), College Savings Plans Network (CSPN), Investment Company Institute (ICI), National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and a member of the Vermont State Senate, this session will provide a discussion of the big picture trends and themes for each group and how we can all work together to create a better outcome for families:

• Expansion of 529 & ABLE – How will legislative and demographic changes affect the structure, growth, and utilization of 529 & ABLE?
• Macro Trends & Opportunities – How can and do industry stakeholders create partnerships and align with macro trends to create a better outcome for all stakeholders?
• Crystal Ball – What is the future of 529 & ABLE? What are emerging theories and trends to embrace over the next few years?

Moderator
Chris McGee, General Counsel & Head of Policy, Virginia529 and Chair of College Savings Foundation (CSF)

Panelists
Mary Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia529 and Chair of College Savings Plans Network (CSPN)
Shannon Salinas, Associate General Counsel, Investment Company Institute (ICI)
Anna Fedewa, Senior Manager of Government Relations, National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Richard Westman, Manager of the VT529 Plan, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)

To-Go Lunch sponsored by Invesco