Every year, the FICP Annual Conference raises the bar, and this year will be no exception. For the past several months, The 2007 FICP Annual Design team, headed up by Conference Chairman Michael Burke, CMP, The Hanover Insurance Group; Education Sub-Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Squeglia, CMP, Boston Private Wealth Management Group; and Marketing Sub-Committee Chairwoman Debbie Costa, CMP, John Hancock Financial Services, along with headquarters staff, have been working hard to plan a meeting that will set new standards.

Taking place at the Fairmont Scotts-dale Princess, November 11 to 15, the conference theme of “License to Learn: Bond in 007,” reflects two key association strengths: networking and education. The program will offer an unmatched educational agenda, with a wide array of speakers, seminars, learning labs, and roundtables on industry issues and trends.

Keynote speakers include mountain climber Alison Levine, who has scaled the highest peaks on six continents and led the first American Women's Everest Expedition; baseball player Jim Morris, who inspired the movie The Rookie; and best-selling co-author of Negotiating for Dummies, Mimi Donaldson. Taking over as emcee this year is veteran comedian and television personality Scott Bloom.

Education encompassing a wide range of learning styles will be presented by expert facilitators and is targeted to both novice and seasoned planners, as well as to hospitality partners. Novice planners and hospitality partners, for example, might want to start with a special pre-conference offering on Sunday, November 11, on how to study and pass the CMP exam. Looking to hone your computer skills? A number of computer learning labs throughout the meeting feature hands-on instruction on topics that range from cool technology tools, to the latest APEX toolbox, to PowerPoint 101. Are you a senior planner tackling difficult compliance issues related to NASD guidelines? You won't want to miss the roundtable discussion led by the chief compliance officer at a major financial services firm. Other interactive roundtable sessions will cover industry ethics, contingency planning, and money-saving ideas. And planners of every level of experience will get valuable takeaways from breakouts on such hot-button topics as a green-meetings call to action, how to harness the power of T&E procurement, contract tips and trends, multigenerational issues, and hotel negotiations in a seller's market. With an offering of 40 breakouts/roundtables as well as relevant business session topics and networking opportunities, this conference is one you won't want to miss.

These are just some of the educational highlights; go to www.ficpnet.com for complete program details and online registration. The 2007 annual also promises to deliver all of the networking and the stellar events that give planners great ideas for their own meetings. The fee is $425 for FICP planner members before August 31 and $525 after. Nonmember financial services and insurance conference planners are welcome: The fee is $525 before August 31 and $625 for registrations received after August 31.