Tuesday, September 15
This Wild ETF Biz! 11:10–11:30 AM
In this provocative 20 minute kick off to two days at the ETF Oasis, ETF.com President & Director of Research Dave Nadig explores the innovations, big ideas and just plain hilarity of the ETF Industry's midlife crisis. There will be zines.
The Case for Agility: Why "Crisis Alpha" Isn't the Whole Managed Futures Story 11:35-11:55 AM
A lot of advisors see their "alternatives" allocation as a problem: a bucket they know they need to fill, so they reach for something simple and familiar, like gold, or real estate. Dave Nadig takes the role of skeptic in this conversation with DBi's Andrew Beer, probing how tactical alternatives can complement long-term, but usually static, asset allocations.
351 Exchanges: So Hot Right Now 12:00-12:20 PM
351 Exchanges have taken the wealth management world by storm, as advisors look to help their clients transition long-term, tax-burdened portfolios into liquid, diversified ETFs. Ryan Kirlin from Alpha Architect shares his tips—and warnings—from the firm that put the tactic on the map
Tax-Alpha is the new Everything-Alpha 12:25-12:45 PM
Join Brent Sullivan of Tax Alpha Insider for a whirlwind tour through the new and emerging landscape of ETF-based tax managed solutions, from 351 conversions to return-of-capital income products, it's never been easier—or more confusing—to save your client's money.
Retooling With Options: From Better Brakes to a Better Business 12:50-1:10 PM
We think portfolios benefit most when combining a strong engine with a reliable set of brakes. For decades, bonds served a hybrid role, but government reliance on debt has gradually wrecked that plan. For modern portfolios, Aptus makes the case for stocks as the actual engine and options as the necessary brakes. And for HNW clients sitting on concentrated positions, a custom overlay is often the best way to manage both risk and taxes.
An Engineer's Guide to the AI Trade 1:15-1:35 PM
Before she ran billions in growth assets, Alger's Dr. Ankur Crawford built chips at Intel and earned a Stanford PhD. Join her for a technologist's cut through the AI hype cycle: what the technology can actually do, which business models it breaks, and what that means for the equities your clients already own.
Beyond Vanilla: A Fresh Take on Active ETFs 1:30-2:30 PM
Grab a scoop and join TCW's Scott Dennis, Head of ETFs, and Keith VanOrden, Head of U.S. Wealth Distribution, for a conversation on where advisors are finding opportunity in today's markets.
Behind the Ticker: The Advisor Story 1:40-2:20 PM
In this 40 minute session, host of ETF.com 's Behind the Ticker podcast, Brad Roth, turns the tables and asks a panel of gatekeepers and skeptical advisors what it takes for a new ETF to break in. Are advisors buying the "VT and Chill" mentality?
Options Income: The Sequel Nobody Saw Coming 2:25-2:45 PM
Six years ago options income meant one or two covered call funds nobody could explain at a cocktail party. NEOS's Wes Mathews tells that origin story from the inside: what separates today's options income strategies from gen-1, the push to create real tax efficiency in modern iterations, and where that same instinct is pointing next, before every advisor's book looks the same.
What's Poppin' with Davis ETFs" Active Investing That Stands the Test of Time 2:30-3:30 PM
Join Davis Advisors for a candid discussion about the role disciplined, research-driven active management can play in today's advisor model portfolios. Learn how DUSA and the Davis ETFs bring a time-tested investment philosophy to the ETF structure.
The Agg Is Not Enough: The Active ETF Playbook for Fixed Income 2:50-3:10 PM
"Core" and "core plus" may sound similar, but the strategies behind them can be very different. Join Manulife John Hancock Investment's Connor Minnaar, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Core and Core-Plus Fixed Income, to explore what sets them apart, the key questions investors should ask, and the opportunities and risks shaping today's fixed-income market. Gain practical insights to help evaluate active fixed-income ETF solutions with confidence.
Surviving the Founder: How Ritholtz Wealth Management is Mapping the Future 3:15-3:30 PM
Don't miss this rapidfire close to day one at the ETF Oasis. Dave Nadig grills Ritholtz Wealth Management Founder, Chairman and CIO Barry Ritholtz on how they've tackled the real-world problem of founders heading into retirement.
Active ETF Sunset Social with J.P. Morgan 5:45-7:30 PM at Hyatt Lawn
Join J.P. Morgan Asset Management on the Hyatt Lawn for the Active ETF Sunset Social. Enjoy cocktails and conversation as you unwind from the day and continue the discussion around active investing in a relaxed setting.
Wednesday, September 16
Innovation's Next Chapter: Unlocking New Access Points for Client Portfolio 9:00-9:40 AM
Join Invesco's Brian Hartigan and Nasdaq's Mark Marex for a morning conversation exploring the evolving landscape of innovation-driven investing and ways advisors may consider building more complete, diversified exposure to tomorrow's growth-engine companies. From diving into the QQQ Innovation Suite ETFs to how corporate investment in research and development can help drive growth across industries, these insights are served up fresh along with breakfast and coffee.
ETF Zoo Live: 6 Pundits Walk Into a Bar 9:00-9:55 AM at the Surf City Stage
We're shaking things up for this live recording of ETF Zoo, putting Zoo Crew regulars James Seyffart (Bloomberg Intelligence), Cinthia Murphy (TMX VettaFi), Ben Johnson (Morningstar), Todd Sohn (Baird Strategas), and our own Sumit Roy in the hot seat in this rapid-fire, gameshow style episode covering all the hottest trends in ETFs this year.
From Hype to Hysteria: Making Sense of the Macro Now 12:00-12:40 PM
ETFs have made investing in virtually any asset class as simple as a button click. But all of those products are useless if you don't have a core thesis for the markets. Sumit Roy sits down with Sam Ro of TKer and Adam Phillips of EP Wealth Advisors to tease out where real opportunities exist, and what potholes investors are likely missing.
The Scoop on Fed Day: Ice Cream with a PIMCO PM 12:30-1:30 PM
Skip the slides and grab a scoop. Join PIMCO's Jerome Schneider for a casual conversation on what's really moving markets, important takeaways from the previous days' Fed Meeting, and bond ETF ideas worth putting to work. Cool treats, market updates, and plenty of actionable insights—what's not to like?
A Fool's Game: Rational Investing in an Irrational News Cycle 12:45-1:05 PM
24/7 financial media has never been louder — or less useful. Bill Mann has spent 30 years filtering signal from noise at Motley Fool, first as a stock-picker, now building indexes. His rules haven't changed. The news cycle just got louder.
Beyond LLMs: How Modern Machine Learning is Changing Portfolio Management 1:10-1:30 PM
With so much hype around large language models impacting businesses, how is the AI revolution impacting the business of picking stocks? In this conversation with Pictet's David Wright, you'll hear real stories from the trenches of using AI tools to pick stocks out of the AI hype cycle.
Women in ETFs: Happy Hour in the Oasis 5:45-6:45 PM
Women in ETFs mixes and mingles with friends, new connections, and industry peers over drinks and hors d'oeuvres as we close out the end of a great conference and look forward to the flagship concert!
The Innovator Afterparty 10:00 PM - 12:00 AM at The Bungalow
Join Goldman Sachs for an exclusive reception at The Bungalow, Huntington Beach, where craft cocktails, coastal views, and effortless conversation set the tone for an unforgettable close to the evening.
