Reflections from Del Mar: Community, Conversations, and the Future of Beacon

Last week we had the privilege of gathering with a group of our advisors in Del Mar, California for the Beacon Elite Advisor Education Conference at L’Auberge Del Mar. For many of us at Beacon, this event is one of the highlights of the year—not just because of the education and insights shared, but because of the opportunity to spend meaningful time with the advisors who make our community so strong.

What stood out to me most throughout the conference was the quality of the conversations. Advisors shared openly about what they’re seeing in their practices, the challenges their clients are facing, and the opportunities they’re excited about. Those conversations—whether during a networking break, over dinner, or in a small-group discussion—are where the real value of this event comes to life.

The Conversations That Matter Most

A central theme of this year’s conference was risk—and how advisors talk about it with clients.

Dan Baccarini opened with a thoughtful session on rethinking risk as the foundation of modern client relationships, exploring how advisors can align investment strategy, client expectations, and communication in a way that builds trust and clarity.

Later, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel with John Osier and James Baccarini on navigating tactical risk and uncertainty. We talked candidly about the tension advisors often face between reacting to markets and maintaining discipline—and why process matters so much when markets become unpredictable.

To bring all these concepts together into practical advice, Nicola Sutton lead a fantastic advisor panel on preventing emotional decision-making. Advisors shared real examples of how they help clients stay grounded when markets become volatile. It was a powerful reminder that while portfolios matter, the guidance advisors provide during difficult moments often matters even more.

Learning From Each Other

One of the things I value most about this conference is that it’s never just about Beacon presenting ideas. It’s about advisors learning from one another. During the afternoon breakout sessions, advisors explored topics ranging from Beacon’s portfolio design and risk framework to behavioral client conversations and practical growth strategies.

But just as important as the sessions themselves were the discussions happening around them—advisors comparing notes on client conversations, sharing what has worked in their firms, and exchanging ideas that others could take back to their practices.

It’s incredibly rewarding to see those connections form.

Big-Picture Perspectives

Our final day began with breakfast roundtables that allowed advisors to gather in small groups and dive into topics like fixed income, technology, AI, behavioral finance, and growth strategies. These smaller conversations often spark some of the best ideas.

Later that morning,
Tony Crescenzi from PIMCO, Kevin Gordon from the Schwab Center for Financial Research, and Adam Schickling from Vanguard. The discussion offered valuable perspective on where markets and the economy may be headed and what advisors should be thinking about as they guide clients through the current environment.

Listening and Building Together

For the Beacon team, one of the most important parts of this conference is the opportunity to listen.

We spent time throughout the event talking with advisors about their businesses, their goals, and how Beacon can continue evolving to better support them. Those conversations directly influence how we think about innovation, technology, portfolio design, and practice support.

Beacon has always been built in partnership with advisors, and events like this reinforce how important that partnership is.

Momentum for the Future

As the conference wrapped up, I found myself feeling incredibly energized about what’s ahead.

The advisors in our community are thoughtful, disciplined, and deeply committed to helping their clients succeed. When you bring a group like that together—even for just a few days—the ideas and momentum that emerge are powerful.

I left Del Mar excited about the future of Beacon, grateful for the relationships we’ve built with our advisors, and inspired by the conversations that will continue shaping our work together.

To everyone who joined us—thank you for being part of the Beacon community. We’re honored to partner with you.