The 4th Canadian Institute of Financial Planners annual national conference is set to go for May 28-31 in Vancouver. “It’s jam-packed with a broad range of sessions. We’re very excited,” says Keith Costello, president and CEO of the CIFPs.

Almost 450 people are signed up to attend the conference – the largest yet, and the first held outside Ontario.

Among the conference highlights will be a tribute to Don Johnston, retiring president of the Financial Planning Standards Council. In 1995, Johnston brought together key players within the financial services industry to forge the Financial Planners Standards Council. “He’s done a marvelous job,” says Costello “and we thought it would be fitting to honour him.” The FPSC and the CFPs are closely linked in their efforts to establish the certified financial planner designation, and financial planning as a profession.

Stephen Lewis, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, a post he’s held since June 2001, will be speaking at the opening dinner. As well as talking about his work, Lewis will illustrate the impact of world events on the economy and why financial planners should understand that impact, says Costello.

Two key panel sessions will be Tuesday, March 30th: a regulatory panel in the morning, and an international panel in the afternoon.

The CFP designation is internationally recognized, says Costello. “The international panel will discuss what’s happening in other countries — adding strength to the value of the CFP designation on the domestic front.”

Presentations will be given by two of Canada’s top tax experts: Amin Mawani, Associate Professor of Taxation at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, and Tim Cestnick, author, tax columnists and principal of The WaterStreet Group Inc. The CIFPs will hold its annual general meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Costello will be sharing good news. “Our balance sheet is strong, reflecting the long-term viability of our organization.” The official numbers will be released at the AGM.

Meanwhile, Costello says the CIFPs’ ranks stand at 2,500. Its goal is to double within a few years. “We’ve opened local chapters in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, the Waterloo area, and Toronto-Mississauga. We hope to add more –doing local programs.”

Costello also has good news for high-end insurance advisors who would like to join the CIFPs. It has recently become a sponsoring organization of the “Million Dollar Roundtable.” That means that an advisor who qualifies for the MDRT can use the CIFPs as their sponsor, says Costello.