The RIA community gathers in Boston for Schwab IMPACT 2026
Boston welcomed the RIA community for Schwab IMPACT 2026, bringing together roughly 6,000 attendees, including nearly 3,500 registered investment advisors (RIAs), for three days of conversations, learning, and connections focused on the future of independent advice.
IMPACT is Schwab Advisor Services'™ premier RIA industry gathering and the nation's largest and longest-running gathering of independent advisors. Held October 27–29, the 36th annual conference brought advisors, industry leaders, experts, tech partners, students, and others together to explore topics including growth, technology and AI, advocacy and regulation, practice management, and wealth solutions.
Perspectives from Schwab and beyond
Attendees heard from Jon Beatty, head of Schwab Advisor Services, and Rick Wurster, president and CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation, along with perspectives from Schwab experts on markets, technology, and the regulatory environment.
In addition to hearing from Schwab leaders, the conference featured keynote speakers exploring topics ranging from habits and resilience to sustained performance and space exploration. Highlights include:
- James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, on habits and behavior
- Angela Duckworth, author of Grit, on resilience and perseverance
- Tennis champion Andre Agassi on the mindset behind sustained performance
- Artemis II astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Victor J. Glover Jr., who closed the keynote program with a conversation about their journey around the moon
The more than 500,000-square-foot show floor, known as "The Exchange," served as the hub of activity throughout the conference, with education sessions, tech demos, an AI Lounge, exhibitors, local food, and advisor networking. This year, the floor also included a pickleball court, where Wurster and Agassi added friendly competition to the week by playing alongside clients.
Recognizing the RIA community
The gathering also provided a new way to recognize the RIA community. Schwab announced National RIA Day, an annual observance recognizing independent registered investment advisors and aimed at introducing more people to the profession. The first National RIA Day will take place February 17, 2027.
Building the next generation of advisors
In addition to RIA professionals, 100 university students and faculty attended this year's conference, meeting firms, participating in sessions, and getting a firsthand look at careers in the independent advice industry. Schwab has brought students to IMPACT since 2021 as part of its efforts to build awareness of careers in the RIA profession.
IMPACT has long been a place for the RIA community to gather, compare notes, build relationships, and take stock of where the industry is headed. It remains an important part of moving the industry forward.