Desert Insights: Cutting-Edge Planning Strategies that Bring the Heat

By Cynthia Meyer and Scott Levin
Co-Chairs of the 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference

In this issue of NAPFA Advisor magazine, we take a closer look at how taxes shape financial planning, business growth, and client service. With tax season approaching, we highlight strategies to strengthen CPA partnerships, making referrals smoother and tax planning more efficient for advisors and their clients. At the NAPFA Spring Conference, attendees will benefit from new sessions highlighting tax planning tools and services, including dynasty trusts, asset location strategies, and profit-sharing plans. Additionally, we get expert advice examining the impact of mergers and acquisitions in the industry and what it means for succession planning and client service at small firms. Through mentorship programs, expert insights, and practical guidance, this issue equips advisors with strategies to better navigate tax complexities and build stronger, more sustainable practices.

We are extremely excited for the upcoming 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., from May 8–10, with pre-conference sessions on May 7. The theme for this conference is Desert Insights: Cutting-Edge Planning Strategies that Bring the Heat. We are confident all attendees will be exposed to new ideas and advanced planning concepts that will be invaluable to adding value to the client relationship.

NAPFA has been working diligently to add new and exciting ways for the conference attendees to learn and network, including hands-on workshops, Express Talks, and mentoring opportunities. We will continue to offer presentations that meet the learning objectives for all our attendees but we have specifically added more advanced planning sessions and topic areas that have not been presented at our conferences in the past. Look for these presentations—Beneficiary Defective Inheritance Trusts (BDITs); Dynasty Trusts and 529 Plans; Asset Location for Estate Planning Purposes; Advanced Charitable Planning Strategies; and Tax Benefits from Cash Balance, Money Purchase, and Profit Sharing Plans—and more. 

We are delighted to offer hands-on workshops to immerse attendees in the learning process. Also, our new Express Talks, featuring smaller and quicker group sessions, will provide opportunities to present ideas more focused on niche topics. Furthermore, we will provide additional opportunities for attendees to network with their peers in more concentrated groups segmented by topics that resonate with multiple advisors. This will provide an arena to discuss how different advisors and firms address the issues involved with the specific topic area, and to bounce ideas between the group members to synergize arriving at best practice ways to address these matters.

In addition to all the learning and networking opportunities, we are establishing a new mentoring program during the conference to enable advisors new to the field, as well as students planning to enter the profession, to be paired with an experienced advisor who can provide insight into the profession and guidance on how to be a successful financial advisor. The mentors can also assist the mentees in deciding which breakout sessions might be most beneficial based on the mentee’s interests and level of knowledge in specific topics. We are confident this program will be valuable to the mentor and mentee during the conference and after it—building long-term professional relationships.

If you’re planning to attend, we invite you to:

• Take pictures with attendees and post on social media during the conference and tag #NAPFA
• Record your podcast at the conference with another attendee or a panel
• Check the NAPFA Foundation booth for pro-bono financial planning opportunities

As you can see, the 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference will be an opportunity for attendees to learn, network, and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather in early May. We can’t wait to see you there!