The Role Of Women As Financial Professionals And Affluent Consumers To Be Featured At The American College’s 2007 Knowledge Summit

BRYN MAWR, PA – July 23, 2007 – Financial professionals from across the country will be charting a course to Orlando, Florida this November 14th – 17th to attend The American College’s 2007 Knowledge Summit. 

This year’s event is expected to attract more than 1,200 new designees and their guests to the Hilton Resort at Walt Disney World® for a series of high-impact speakers and information-rich seminars.   In addition, the annual Knowledge Summit features a superb commencement ceremony celebrating the educational achievements of some of the nation’s most knowledgeable financial service professionals.

“Financial and insurance professionals should make it a point to attend this year’s event,” said Larry Barton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of The American College. “Knowledge Summit attendees will hear from some of the most informed and successful experts in the financial services industry.  Each educational seminar successfully combines high-impact scholarship with insights derived from practical experience in order to provide professionals with knowledge that can enhance both their individual and organizational performance.”

One of the seminars generating enormous interest is “What Women Want and What Great Advisors Deliver.”  This panel discussion featuring six of the country’s top advisors and thought leaders on women and investments and will be moderated by Susan D. Waring, CLU®,ChFC®, Executive Vice President and CAO of the State Farm Life Insurance Company. 

Formal symposium activities begin on November 14 with a special opening general session featuring Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the NBA’s Orlando Magic talking about “The Magic of Teamwork.”  Following Williams will be a presentation by Joseph W. Jordan, Senior Vice President, Individual Business Marketing, MetLife entitled, “Life of Significance.”  The general session will conclude with a presentation on “Meeting the Needs of the Affluent Client” by the past president of New England Financial, Eileen C. McDonnell.  Ms. McDonnell holds the State Farm Chair in Women and Financial Services at The American College.

The following day begins with the Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast.  Prior to making the induction presentation, James M. Benson, CLU®, President of The American College’s Alumni Association will regale graduates and guests with his recent experiences climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.    

Over the next two days, attendees will be able to listen to some of the financial services industry’s leading authorities as they share information on a wide range of financial planning topics.  Seminar topics and presenters slated for the event include:

• The Sociology of Retirement & Product Implications
  Presenter: Jill Quadagno, Ph.D.
  Florida State University
• Unraveling Basis Rules: A Guide to Understanding the Rules for Computing Gains and Losses
  Presenter: Thomas Brinker, Jr. JD, ChFC®, Adjunct Professor of Taxation
  The American College
• Estate Planning Update: What Works…What Doesn’t
  Presenter: Theodore T. Kurlowicz, JD, CLU®, ChFC®, the Charles E. Drimal Professor in Estate Planning and Professor of Taxation
  The American College
• Stranger Owned Life Insurance: Are There Any Redeeming Features? 
  Industry Panel
  Panel Moderator: Fred H. Jonske, CLU®, President and CEO
  M Financial Group
• The Richard A. Liddy Lecture Series: Building a High Performance Organization
  Presenter: Kevin C. Eichner, President and CEO
  Enterprise Financial Services Corporation
• Global Business and Diversity: The Changing Face of Today’s Consumer
  Presenter: Doug Lipp
  G. Douglas Lipp & Associates

On Saturday, November 17, The College will hold its 78th Annual Commencement Ceremony recognizing the educational achievements of the class of 2007.  Reginald N. Rabjohns, CLU®, ChFC®, Managing Partner, New England Financial and Trustee at The American College will deliver this year’s keynote address.   

Immediately following the commencement ceremony and concluding this year’s activities will be a reception sponsored by The American College Alumni Association for graduates and their families.

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy some of Orlando’s unforgettable area attractions.  The College has organized behind the scenes tours at Walt Disney World®, an alumni golf outing, a dinner at the Kennedy Space Center for President’s Circle donors, and a breakfast with Disney characters for the children of event registrants.

The American College is dedicated to leadership in innovative training and development that helps financial services companies and their employees succeed.  As a non-profit educational institution holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for 80 years.  The American College’s faculty represents some of the financial services industry’s foremost thought leaders.

For more information, visit www.TheAmericanCollege.edu

Contact:

Eric B. Gordon
Director of Public Relations
(610) 526-1450