Welcome Reception sponsored by New York Life

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Flywire

‘Essentials’ Seminar 
Opening Remarks

• 529 ‘Essentials’ Seminar 2026 Welcome and Overview

Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

529 Primer & Landscape

• Background and beginning of 529 plans
• Types of plans, features and requirements
• Historical milestones leading up to where we are today

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Federal Tax & Regulatory Framework

• Legislative benefits and features
• The role of municipal issuer and program manager
• Tax benefits, considerations, and guidance under IRC Section 529
• Fundamentals of contributions, asset growth and distributions
• Qualified expenses (including the new credentialing expenses and expanded K-12 expenses), exemptions to the 10% penalty tax, estate & gift taxes
• State Law requirements and tax regulation of the issuer/program by the IRS
• Securities regulation of the issuer, program manager, distributor, investment manager by SEC, MSRB

Presenter
Mark Chapleau, Esq., Founding Member, Chapleau Law Group LLC

Networking Refreshment Break

Plan Governance & Administration Best Practices

• Oversight and fiduciary duties of 529 entities
• Guidance on good governance processes
• The underpinnings for disclosure best practices
• Advertising best practices

Presenter
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Structuring & Evaluating the Investment Lineup

• Investment structure in philosophy and in practice
• Defining key terms and differentiating factors
• Investment types and management style trends
• New asset classes, trends in selection, and review of fees types

Presenter
Luis Sierra, CFA, Vice President, Marquette Associates

Lunch

The College Finance Landscape

Understanding College Costs, the Changing Financial Aid Terrain, the Impact of Student Loan Debt & Obstacles to Saving for College.

In this session, we will cover:

• FAFSA Changes 
• Demystifying the Financial Aid Formula
• The Student Loan Landscape and the Impact of Student Loans on Saving for College
• Obstacles to Saving for College and what we can do to help families overcome
• 2025 updates and potential impacts on the horizon
• Common questions from parents in 2025, and best practices on how to respond
• Audience Questions and Answers
  

Presenters
Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation and host of the MEFA Podcast, MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
Stacey MacPhetres, Senior Director, College Finance, College Coach

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Manulife John Hancock

Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview

• Introduction to MSRB’s role with 529 plans and FINRA’s role in advertising 529 plans
• Key MSRB Rules and advertising fundamentals under FINRA rules for 529 plans 
• Best practices for industry participants and upcoming topics for review
• FINRA and MSRB’s recent activity and areas of focus including notices, rule proposals and upcoming topics for review
• Questions, comments, and how best to engage and work with MSRB and FINRA

Presenters
Abha Mohla, Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Derek Ashworth, Director, Advertising Regulation, FINRA

Comparing College Savings Vehicles: How do 529s Stack Up?

• How do 529s alternatives stack up by Stack?
• Categories of education savings/investment vehicles
• Strength and weaknesses of different savings vehicles

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Saving For College

Cocktail Reception

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Ascensus

529 Conference 2025: Chair’s Welcome and State of the 529 Industry
Presenter
Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

State’s Perspective on Industry Trends and Building Momentum

Moderator
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Catalis

Product Strategy Trends and Outlook 

TBD

Lunch 
sponsored by Capital Group | American Funds

Investments: Differentiating Asset Classes

Marketing:  Engaging New Audiences

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by MFS

Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends and Opportunities

National Broker-Dealers View on Product, Marketing & Distribution Strategies

Moderator
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Havana Nights Fiesta!
Get ready to sway to the rhythm of the tropics and soak in the sultry vibes of Old Havana!
Join us for delicious Cuban-inspired bites, mojitos & music
Brought to you by Franklin Templeton

Passport to the Future: Celebrating World Financial Planning Day
Principal and Scholar’s Edge invite you to an evening of global flavors in honor of World Financial Planning Day. Education empowers. Financial planners guide. Together, they offer a passport to a world of opportunity and success for future generations. Please join us for an around-the-world evening of desserts, drinks, and discussion

sponsored by Scholar’s Edge and Principal

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by TIAA 

Opening Remarks 

• 529 Conference 2025 Day 2 Opening Remarks and Announcements

Presenter
Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook

• Key strategic themes in investment menu creation, asset allocation design and stakeholder collaboration
• Tactical implementation in partnership with state agencies, product providers, investment consultants, and asset class specialists
• Trends in evaluating and creating an optimal investment line-up
• New trends such as plan rating research, investment line-up process, conservative investments in current interest rate environment, and more

Moderator
Will Duryea, Managing Principal/Consultant, Meketa Investment Group

Panelists
Lael Oldmixon, M.Ed, Executive Director, Education Trust of Alaska
Kim DeDominicis, Portfolio Manager, T. Rowe Price
Eitan Gazit, FSA, CFA, Vice President, Retirement Strategies, Prudential
Jason Kephart, CFA, Senior Principal, Global Multi-Asset Strategy Ratings, Morningstar Research Services LLC

Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Manulife Investments John Hancock

Education Financial Planning Strategies

• How do these firms support education financial planning with their teams of advisors and their end clients?
• Leading with planning first, what types of client scenarios arise and what are the top strategies in today’s environment?
• What are the best practices, perspectives, and processes to drive client success?
• Where are the opportunities for improvement and collaboration, and how can we help?

Moderator
Rob Forshee, Product Manager – CollegeAmerica & ABLEAmerica, Capital Group

Panelists
Steve Elzerman, Product Analyst – Managed Investments, Edwards Jones
Travis Brickfield, Director, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James
Jeannette Haen, Vice President, Education Planning Consultant II, Wealth Solutions Group | Investment Solutions, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Mike Starensier, Sr Product Analyst | Wealth Management, Investment Products, LPL Financial
Stephen Jagard, Vice President, 529 Sales Specialist, US Wealth Advisory, BlackRock

Outlook for 529s in 2026 & Beyond

This session will provide a discussion of the big picture trends, themes and opportunities, and how we can all work together to create a better outcome for families:

• Expansion – How will legislative changes in 2025 affect the structure, growth, and utilization of 529s and municipal fund securities going forward?
• Macro Trends & Opportunities – How can and do industry stakeholders create partnerships and align with macro trends to create a better outcome for all stakeholders?
• Crystal Ball – What is the future of 529 & ABLE? What are emerging theories and trends to embrace over the next few years?

Moderator
Steve Jobe, Founder, SRJ 529 Consulting LLC

Panelists
LaKesha Page, Director of College Savings and ABLE TN, Tennessee Department of Treasury
Steven Johnson, Treasurer, State of Kansas
Christopher McGee, General Counsel & Head of Policy, Commonwealth Savers

To-Go Lunch sponsored by Ascensus

Working Lunch: 529 Partnership Opportunities to Generate Long-Term Growth

This panel will focus on improving interconnectivity and interweaving storyboards between financial planning goals for families, investment vehicles and product providers from 529 to ABLE to state-facilitated retirement to employer channel retirement (401k) to IRAs to new areas of research. This “working lunch” session will provide attendees with an educational framework to bridge the gaps and network to create stronger futures for families and their stakeholders across financial planning goals. Bring your lunch, learn and grow.

Moderator
Viraaj Kumar, Associate Director, Head of Retirement Product & Strategy, ISS Market Intelligence

Panelist
Matt Golden, Senior Vice President, Head of State Savings, Vestwell
Brandon Goeke, Director of Operations, Florida Prepaid College Board