what's coming in 2025?
Mark January 22 on your calendar and join us for our fifth annual virtual kick-off! We're bringing together some of the financial industry's top minds to explore the latest news, innovative marketing strategies, sales concepts, and much more for this one-day-only online event. Haven't registered yet? Don't miss out - click here to reserve your spot now.
platinum sponsors
Featured Speakers
Get ready for in-depth discussions with industry leaders who help shape what we do and enrich how we serve our clients. Insightful presentations from our featured speakers will show what's in store this year for financial professionals, the economy, and our industry.
Rocky bleier
After playing for one season in the NFL, Rocky Bleier’s football career was interrupted when he was drafted into the army and sent to Vietnam. His platoon was ambushed, and he sustained a wound to his left thigh and grenade shrapnel in his right leg. His courageous service earned him the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Despite challenging injuries, he returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. He overcame immense odds, becoming a starting player by 1974 and eventually retiring as a four-time Super Bowl champion.
Adam farstrup, CFA
Adam Farstrup is Head of Multi-Asset, Americas at Schroders, which involves managing a team responsible for assets across a range of investor outcomes utilizing a risk premia based approach. Adam leads their Multi-Asset effort in the Americas, both delivering solutions to clients and participating in investment discussions. Adam was a Product Manager for the Global and International Equity team at Schroders from 2007 to 2013, which involved communicating investment strategy and outlook for the team's products to clients and consultants.
becky swansburg
Becky Ruby Swansburg is the CEO of Stonewood Financial and the nation's leading expert on legislative risk in retirement. A nationally recognized public speaker and author, Becky has trained advisors across the country on incorporating tax-efficient retirement strategies into their practices. Becky was named to Business First’s prestigious ‘Forty Under 40’ list of community leaders and is a Bingham Fellow through the Leadership Louisville Center.
tim pfeifer
Timothy C. Pfeifer is President of Pfeifer Advisory LLC, offering expertise in retirement product and life insurance design, market strategy, product pricing, cutting-edge innovation, and expert witness consulting. Pfeifer Advisory consults with the majority of the nation's life insurers and many distribution companies. Tim has been active in the financial services industry for nearly 38 years. He has been a consultant to life insurance companies, law firms, banks, marketing organizations, regulators, mutual fund companies, and settlement companies since 1986.
patti hausherr
Patti Hausherr has extensive experience in the financial industry. Since 2022, she has served as VP Sales Strategy Leader at Athene. Patti also founded and directed PHConsulting, LLC from 2013 to 2015, where they focused on serving the Women's Market and creating strategic partnerships with financial professionals. Patti worked as a Divisional Sales Manager at MetLife from 2007 to 2012 and as the Director of Specialty Markets - Private Wealth Management at The Hartford from 2005 to 2007.
Robbie tupper
Robbie Tupper is the Vice President of Enterprise Sales at RavenPack. RavenPack is a leading big data analytics provider in financial services. The company’s products and extensive database allow financial professionals to analyze large amounts of unstructured content, and incorporate effects of public information in their models and workflows. RavenPack’s clients include the most successful hedge funds, Tier 1 and 2 banks, and asset management firms around the globe.
Event agenda
We have an exciting lineup of guest speakers and presentations for you this year! Click the Event Detail buttons below to get more information on each of our main sessions and to add them to your personal calendars.
wednesday - january 22, 2025 - central time
Session 1: State of the Industry – IAMS Recap and 2025 OutlookExpired
Session 2: Global Economic Outlook with Adam Farstrup, Head of Multi-Asset, Americas, SchrodersExpired
Session 3: Women and the Annuity Landscape with Patti Hausherr, VP Sales Strategy Leader, AtheneExpired
Session 4: The Evolution of AI with Robbie Tupper, Vice President of Enterprise Sales, RavenPackExpired
Session 5: 2025 Product Innovations with Tim Pfeifer, President, Pfeifer Advisory LLCExpired
Session 6: Legislative Risk with Becky Swansburg, CEO, Stonewood FinancialExpired
Session 7: Staying on Top of the Mountain with Rocky Bleier, 4-time Super Bowl Champion and Motivational SpeakerExpired
live drawings and giveaways
$1,000 Matching Advertising Packages
By registering and attending Ascend, you will be automatically entered into our drawing. IAMS will give you a dollar-for-dollar advertising/marketing reimbursement match for any IAMS vendor you use, up to $1,000 you spend.* When you invest to grow your business, we do too!
*Agent must be in good standing with IAMS to qualify.
1 - SIGNED HELMET & JERSEY 10 - SIGNED BOOKS
2 - iPAD PROS
2 - $200 steak packages
3 - $100 Amazon gift cards
3 - ultimate iams swag bags
gold & silver sponsors
Get In Touch
Need help with something or have a question about the event? Click the button below to contact us anytime and someone from our team will reach out to help get you what you need.