2025 Conference Program

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2025 Conference Program |

Thursday, August 7, 2025

6:30pm to Late

THE QUESTION | Rachel Carson Red Room

We start our Roundup each year mingling, introducing ourselves, and then debating “The Question”. The first evening is an excellent icebreaker and welcome to the whole shebang. We start outside in an informal atmosphere with a light buffet dinner and then move inside for a discussion in an even more informal atmosphere. The Question changes every year and a lively conversation is encouraged. Bring your beverage of choice to share.

Friday, August 8, 2025

8:30am to 10:10am

NAVIGATING THE NEW WORLD OF INVESTMENTS | Daniel Prince, CFA

With thousands of products launched each year, it’s nearly impossible for an advisor to do due diligence on every new product offered. This presentation shares tangible ways advisors can whittle down their product list, avoid potential product pitfalls, and strategically monitor investments.

10:20am to 12:00pm

THE (STILL) GROWING INSURANCE CRISIS - CA 2025 EDITION | Brian Trouette

Another year, another notch in a still growing crisis in the CA insurance market. What should we be thinking about and helping our clients do to stay insured? Join Brian Trouette as he provides a comprehensive understanding of the insurance landscape in California, and what we as advisors need to be thinking about.

1:30pm to 3:10pm

WHAT ADVISORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS TAX PLANNING | Heather C. Liston

Join Heather Liston, CPF®, EA, as she provides of an overview of retirement plans for business owners. She’ll be covering the important business tax credits and deductions that owners shouldn’t ignore, as well as the impact that entity selection has on business taxes.

3:20pm to 5:00pm

ESTATE PLANNING FOR YOUR CLIENTS | Frank Acuña

What do you tell clients when they have questions about estate planning? What is the information they need, right now? What can you say or do without crossing ethical lines or practicing law without a license?

This presentation provides the estate planning concepts that every client needs to know. From preparing for incapacity and death, to adjustments after a spouse or parent has died. Income tax, capital gains tax, estate tax, and property tax. Finally, what should be done for clients who created estate plans which are now outdated and ineffective.

6:00pm to Late

On Friday night we return to the Seymour Discovery Center at the Long Marine Lab off campus to dine, schmooze and admire the scenery of the Santa Cruz coastline. This gives us more chances to talk and exchange ideas over food and wine. We provide the food, the space and the sunset. You provide the beverage, the witty conservation and the admiration of the sunset.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

8:30am to 10:10am

NAVIGATING SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS: KEY INSIGHTS FOR PLANNERS | Ellen Cookman, JD, LL.M.

Special needs trusts are powerful tools for supporting a fulfilling and secure future for individuals with disabilities, while maintaining access to essential public benefits. In this session, estate planning attorney Ellen Cookman, JD, LL.M.—a certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law—will explain the key types of special needs trusts, when and how to use them, and how financial planners can collaborate effectively with attorneys to serve families with clarity and confidence. Drawing on her extensive experience across California, Ellen will share practical guidance, planning insights, and common pitfalls to help you better support clients facing these important, often complex, decisions.

10:20am to 12:00pm

BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING | Emily Bouchard & Don McCrea

Part 1: Succession Sparks Legacy (Emily): Through a real-world case study involving multiple active business partners and a founder under pressure to create a succession plan, we’ll explore how advisors can use legacy planning to skillfully guide clients through business transition planning. Learn practical tools for fostering clarity, alignment, and trust across generations and amongst business partners. 

Part 2: Exit with Intention (Don): Exit planning is more than a business transaction—it’s a pivotal moment of sustaining legacy, including identity shift, family impact, and wealth transition between generations. In this session, we’ll focus on how financial advisors can help business owners envision success and sustainability beyond the sale. You'll gain strategies to help clients clarify values, communicate expectations, and plan for meaningful post-exit lives.

1:30pm to 3:10pm

TAX STATE OF THE UNION | Larry Pon

The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted in 2017 was the largest tax change since the 1986 Tax Reform Act.    TCJA made significant changes to tax rates for individuals and corporations and many of our clients saw significant tax cuts.  However, many of the TCJA provisions are expiring on December 31, 2025.   Congress is very busy debating 2025 Tax Reform.  Will the TCJA just be extended?   How should we adjust our tax and financial planning for our clients in light of these possible tax changes?   With all the changes at the IRS, what should we be telling our clients about how to interact with the IRS?  Not only will this presentation be a tax update, but it will also be an outlook on what to expect and what we should be telling our clients.  Our clients will be needing our guidance in this environment of tax uncertainty.

3:20pm to 5:00pm

WISDOM IN OUR MIDST

This will be a free-wheeling session composed of Roundup participants exploring questions that have been submitted by the other participants on any planning-related topic.

Saturday Evening Events - Times Vary

OPTION 1: MJA VINEYARDS TASTING

Have a taste of awarding-winning, boutique, family-operated winery MJA. They are a small winery that pours high-end wines in a relaxed Hawaiian-inspired atmosphere. When you walk in the door, you are 'Ohana! Tasting will be in a covered, heated patio and courtyard.

Standard tasting tickets are $25 per person and are available for purchase on the reservation form.

Activity Level: Approximate tasting duration 1 hour. It is recommended to bring cash and/or contactless payment methods for purchasing additional libations and/or food at various breweries/wineries/restaurants which are within 1-2 block walking radius of MJA Tasting Room. Consider booking dinner at one of the nearby restaurants with your fellow attendees!

OPTION 2: I SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

What is a visit to sun, sand, and surfing without checking out some of the incredible ice cream shops Santa Cruz has to offer? Cruise around Santa Cruz tasting three local favorites-- Marianne’s Ice Cream, The Penny Ice Cream, and Mission Hill Creamery.

Activity Level: Approximate duration 90 minutes. We will be driving and walking—casual, layered, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and flat walking shoes are suggested. Cash for purchasing your own scoop(s) is recommended.

OPTION 3: DINNER ON YOUR OWN

Connect with friends, both old and new, over a meal and cocktail. Head over to downtown Santa Cruz for a variety of great dinner options.

Sunday, August 10, 2025

8:30am to 10:10am

AVOIDING MEDICARE MISTAKES IN RETIREMENT | Margo Steinlage Kreider, J.D.

Medicare mistakes are costly and avoidable when you and your clients are armed with the right information. Join Margo Steinlage Krieder, J.D., President and co-owner of Steinlage Insurance Agency as she demonstrates the importance of integrating Medicare strategy into our retirement plans to keep our clients on track. She’ll be covering Medicare Secondary Payor Rules, Enrollment Regulations, Changes to Part D Coverage, and the critical variables we should all be considering to guide our clients towards the solutions that resonate with their needs.

10:20am to 12:00pm

THINKING OF MOVING ABROAD? FINANCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS | Matt Goren, PhD CFP®

This session explores the growing trend of Americans considering life abroad, delving into the financial complexities and psychological factors that planners must understand to support globally mobile clients.