Stifel’s Blueprint Conference Returns In-Person to Offer Attendees an Incredible Experience

Stifel’s first in-person Blueprint conference since 2019 was a huge success and offered attendees plenty of takeaways.

Each year, Stifel associates and business partners look forward to Blueprint, an exciting, informative, and collaborative corporate gathering held annually in St. Louis.? However, the pandemic in 2020 forced the conference to be hosted virtually, and there was, unfortunately, no 2021 conference.? In 2022, the Blueprint conference made a triumphant comeback, this time in a brand new location – Las Vegas, Nevada.

Over the course of three days in early October, Blueprint conference attendees gathered at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas to learn, grow, and network with one another.? I recently spoke with attendees Mary Macukas and Elaina Garvin to hear about their experiences at this year’s Blueprint conference, from why they decided to attend to their biggest takeaways.

The Road to Blueprint

Blueprint was always on the radar for Mary Macukas.? When she and her husband, John, were still at their old firm, their then-regional manager, Jim Steenhuyse, spoke with them about moving their business to Stifel and mentioned Blueprint.

“Our previous firm did not offer that type of intensive camaraderie, so it seemed very special and unique to Stifel,” Mary says.

Unfortunately, having just joined Stifel in September 2020, she missed out on participating in that year’s virtual Blueprint.? Instead, Mary was hard at work transitioning and onboarding clients.? As such, she was determined to attend when news of the 2022 Blueprint event was announced.

Unlike Mary, Elaina Garvin had attended previous Blueprint conferences and was eager to return to an in-person format in 2022.

“Since COVID had prevented live networking and idea sharing over the last couple of years, I was excited to attend this year’s in-person conference,” she shares.? “It’s super important to be live versus digital all the time.? Networking is better in person, and there are more opportunities for socialization.? It’s completely different from calling in via Zoom or the phone.”

Blueprint in 2022: Panels, Presentations, and Takeaways

After much anticipation for a return to an in-person format, 2022’s Blueprint conference did not disappoint.?

“Having the opportunity to learn and hear about what’s been going on in the past year from subject matter experts from across all firms in the country was invaluable, especially given the challenging market and inflation,” Mary says.

She also enjoyed hearing from Chairman and CEO Ron Kruszewski himself.

“Whether it was him dancing on stage before KC & the Sunshine Band or his conversation with Kevin O’Leary about all things crypto, all of the memorable moments generally involved Ron,” Mary adds.? “He’s so smart, educated, and rational, yet humble.? Listening to him talk about the economy, cryptocurrency, and even the firm was fascinating because it’s coming from the heart, the mind, and a place of intellectual curiosity and knowledge.”

Ron was a clear highlight of the conference, but Mary also appreciated the many panels and workshops she attended that covered everything from geopolitical risks to conducting family meetings.? While every panel was enjoyable, the most revelatory for Mary was the conversation hosted by Principal Global Investors on Creative Planning for Taxes and Distributions.

“The recent tax law changes coming from the Federal Government are voluminous,” she says.? “He highlighted some lesser-known changes that will impact clients and the opportunities available.? It was invaluable.”

For Elaina, no one panel, workshop, or presentation stood out above the rest, as she felt that every session's content was incredible.? Plus, the anticipation and excitement of being in-person enhanced her overall experience at Blueprint.

“Listening to virtual presentations is one thing, but there’s nothing quite like hearing the reactions and questions from the audience and having the chance to network in-person,” Elaina says.

Blueprint: An Invaluable Experience for Attendees

Pulling a large, collaborative gathering like Blueprint together takes a lot of time and effort, but it’s well worth it.

For one, it provides the perfect environment for networking.? With Stifel employees from across the country attending panels, presentations, and workshops together, there’s no shortage of time for mingling and forming lasting relationships.

“When you’re collaborating or bouncing things off another colleague, you receive a completely new perspective.? It is really important to compare ideas on how things are put to you in our own office and system versus outside, from other advisors,” Elaina says on the importance of in-person networking.

“It brings people together that only talk on the phone and shows how much leadership cares,” Mary adds.? “Stifel’s Executive Office values giving knowledge to their advisors in a way that goes beyond sending emails saying, ‘Read this.’? Ron and everyone else in leadership is so hands-on with everything.? They lead by example, which speaks to Stifel’s culture.”

Blueprint is also a major perk for advisors who spend most of their days reading, absorbing information on what’s happening in the world, and advising clients.

“Attending Blueprint allows us to get out of our day-to-day lives and take the opportunity to learn new things,” Mary says.? “Being able to elevate ourselves in a space without clients is a luxury we don’t typically have.”

The Stifel Difference

Blueprint is just one of the many things at Stifel that advisors appreciate.? Stifel is also renowned for its incredible culture.? It’s a large firm with plenty of resources, but it still feels small enough that financial advisors can retain their independence.

“You don’t have anyone telling you what you’re supposed to do or what you’re supposed to present because they trust that you know what’s best for your clients,” Elaina shares.? “You’re still an independent advisor underneath the Stifel umbrella.”

“Doing business is easy here, and everybody cares up and down and across the spectrum of the different places that we work within the firm,” Mary says, and she attributes much of that to those at the top.? “You feel it when you speak with anyone in leadership.? They have thousands of advisors to take care of all the time, but they know us.? They know who we are.”

In addition to Blueprint, Stifel’s Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) plays a significant role in the culture that only sweetens the deal of working at the firm.

“I’m so proud we are with this firm because it’s so reputable, honest, ethical, and moral,” Mary says.? “I’ve been featured in WIN’s Empower magazine, and I’m looking forward to attending their events this year.”?