The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has dropped its national conference this year and will replace it with state-based events.

Chairman Matthew Rowe told insuranceNEWS.com.au the change was because of 20th anniversary celebrations.

“The membership wanted an event in each state, so we have made a deliberate move away from a national conference this year,” he said.

“We have also been planning celebration events in each state for the 20th anniversary so all the membership could take part.”

A gala dinner will be held in each state capital during October and November to celebrate 20 years of the FPA.

During July and August professional leadership lunches will be held in the capital cities.

“We have reshaped the events to reach more people,” Mr Rowe said. “The membership has been sent written details of the new event structure for this year and basic details of next year’s FPA Professionals Congress.”

The congress will be held in October next year, although no details are available yet. 

Mr Rowe says between 1000 and 2000 people normally attend the national conference. With the state-based events, the association hopes to lift this by 50%.

“The number one priority for the FPA is membership engagement and this is the first step towards that,” Mr Rowe said.

“We are looking at our events to re-engage and reinvigorate.”