Contributed by: Mallory Hunt
Several members of The Center team recently had the opportunity to attend Raymond James Elevate 2026 in fabulous Las Vegas. The flagship national conference brings together advisors and their teams from across the country each year around a unifying theme. This year’s theme: The Power of Personal. The conference reinforced what has long differentiated Raymond James in an increasingly digital and automated world—the belief that strong, personal relationships remain at the heart of successful financial advice.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that while technology, AI, and innovation continue to reshape the financial services landscape, they are most powerful when used to enhance, not replace, the personal connections advisors build with clients. Sessions focused on client‑first strategies, thoughtful growth and how advisors can authentically deliver customized advice rooted in trust, empathy and understanding. “AI will not replace you as an advisor; an advisor who utilizes AI will.”
We were especially proud to see our own Tim Wyman moderate the Town Hall panel alongside Raymond James’ leadership team including CEO Paul Shoukry, Private Client Group President Tash Elwyn, Independent Contractor Division President Kirk Bell and Financial Institutions Division President Steve Kruchten. This highly anticipated session gave advisors the opportunity to ask candid questions, raise challenges and engage in open dialogue with leadership about what matters most across the firm. Tim led the conversation with professionalism and energy—we couldn’t be prouder of the way he represented our team.
Elevate 2026 also highlighted practical ways to leverage firm resources and shared best practices to aid advisors in staying deeply personal in their approach. The message was clear: success isn’t just about scale or efficiency; it’s about knowing each client’s story and helping them navigate life’s most important moments with confidence.
While Elevate is a professional conference, its impact extends directly to the clients we serve: YOU. Attending events like this allows us to explore new planning strategies & tools, stay current on industry trends & best practices, and continuously refine how we deliver advice & service. Most importantly, it strengthens our commitment to thoughtful, personalized financial guidance.
And of course, it wasn’t ALL business while we were in Las Vegas—we mixed in some fun, too! Our group made time for some team-building activities such as music trivia, karaoke and even an F1 Go Kart Racing experience. These shared experiences always help us recharge and strengthen the relationships that make our team so strong.
While this conference always serves as a platform for continuing education, collaboration and innovation, we returned with valuable insight into how the financial landscape is evolving and with fresh ideas on how to deliver guidance and support to our clients. Ultimately, The Power of Personal served as both a reminder and a call to action, encouraging our team to lean into what makes our practice unique while reaffirming our commitment to building relationships, supporting financial independence and helping you Find Your Center.
Mallory Hunt is a Portfolio Administrator at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She holds her Series 7, 63 and 65 Securities Licenses along with her Life, Accident & Health and Variable Annuities licenses.
Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Center for Financial Planning, Inc is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. The views expressed herein are those of Mallory Hunt and are not necessarily those of Raymond James.