Larry Ginsburg
2012 FPA NorCal Conference Dates
May 29th and 30th, 2012
Palace Hotel, San Francisco, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided some answers to frequently asked questions that may be of interest to you. If you have a question and don't see it listed here, please contact us and we would be happy to help.

Questions cover these topic areas:

Conference Registration
Audio Recordings, Private Recordings, and Books
Travel and Parking
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
About the FPA and Certified Financial Planners

 

Conference Registration

Question How can I contact the FPA NorCal Conference Office?
Answer

By phone: (650) 851-9338

By e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   
Question Does the Conference offer discounts for students?
Answer

The Conference is designed to offer advanced education sessions. The FPA encourages students to join the FPA at a substantial membership discount. Students who join the FPA will qualify for the member fee at the Conference. There are no student discounts on Conference attendance.

   
Question Does the Conference offer single-day or partial-day registration?
Answer

The Conference is a two-day event. You are welcome to attend whatever part of the Conference fits your schedule. We are sorry that a single-day or partial-day registration is not offered.

   
Question What is the cancellation policy?
Answer

You may receive a full refund, less a $60 handling charge, if a written request is received by Monday, April 4. You may receive a 50% refund if a written request is received by Friday, April 29. No refunds after April 29. Written requests may be sent via email or regular mail; contact information is on the contact us page. Please call or email the Conference office to confirm receipt of your refund request.

   
Question How can I change the individual registered for the Conference?
Answer

If you have registered someone and would like to transfer that registration to someone else, please email the following items to the Conference Office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. :

  • The name of the person registered
  • The date he/she was registered
  • The name, FPA number (if any), CFP® number (if any), mailing address, phone number, and email address of the new person.

A reply will be sent when this email is received. If no reply is received, do not assume your email arrived – please send it again. If there is any amount due for a member/non-member price differential, the fee will be collected at the door.

   
Question Are both credit cards and checks accepted?
Answer

Payment for the Conference registration fee via credit card is available online and also at the door. Checks are not accepted in advance for registration. If there is space available at the door (there is no guarantee that space will be available), checks can be used to pay the at-the-door fee onsite.

 

Audio Recordings, Private Recordings, and Books

Question Audio Taping
Answer

Conference workshop sessions will be audio-taped, combined with the speakers handout materials, placed on a DVD, and shipped to registered attendees within five weeks of the Conference. The DVD is not for sale; the audio recordings are not for sale. The only way to obtain the DVD is to register for the Conference.

   
Question Private Recordings
Answer

Thank you for understanding that conference policy prohibits the outside audio or video recording of any workshop or keynote speaker. While at the conference venue, the speaking contract is between the speaker and the conference. Outside audio or video recording can jeopardize that contract and could expose the conference to potential liability.

   
Question What materials are available at the Conference Bookstore?
Answer

A bookstore stocked with important financial planning & other interesting titles will be available at the conference. Plan to buy books, and have speakers sign them, at the Conference.

   
Question Why are the pre-conference downloads in 6 per page format in black and white?
Will the be this way on the conference CD?
Answer

The conference is responding to multiple requests to streamline speaker handouts.  Rest assured that the full screen, full color handouts will be included on the post-conference CD ROM.green

The website-only, black & white, 6-up handout fits with the conference desire to be green as it helps you save your color printer cartridges and paper.  If you would like to comment, please do so on the Overall Conference Evaluation.

   


Travel and Parking

Question How do I get to the hotel and where do I park?
Answer

The Palace is located at 2 New Montgomery Street, at the intersection of Market Street, Montgomery Street, and Post Street.

If you are driving - The most economical parking is at the 5th & Mission Garage. Closer to the hotel, the Hearst Garage is located on 3rd Street between Mission and Market. The MOMA Garage is accessible from both 3rd Street and from New Montgomery Street – it is located between Mission and Howard. The Palace valet is usually available for hotel guests only at $45 per day.

Public Transportation

BART – Take BART to the Montgomery Street Station; Exit the station where the sign says Market/New Montgomery Street. The escalator ride up to the street level is longer than the distance to the Palace doors. This may be your very best bet.

The Ferry Building, and the new Amtrak Station housed within it, is within 7 blocks. Cross the Embarcadero toward the Hyatt Regency, which is on Market Street. Once on Market Street, take any Trolley car or bus heading up Market Street. Get off at Montgomery and cross Market to The Palace Hotel on the corner of Market & New Montgomery Streets.

Golden Gate Transit stops are within a few blocks; SF MUNI bus lines are within a few feet of the front door.

Please also refer to the Conference Venue page for transportation and parking information


CEU Credits

Question Continuing Education Credit
Answer
  1. CFP® Board Credit; Pre-Conference Timing: Keynote & workshop sessions are filed with the CPF® Board. Final approval is posted with each speaker listing by the end of February.
  2. CFP® Board Credit; Post-Conference Timing: The attendance report will be filed with the CFP® Board within 15 business days of the Conference. Please do not count on credit from this conference to meet your minimum requirement if you deadline is earlier than June 20, 2011.
  3. MCLE Credit: The Conference is not filed with the State Bar.
  4. CPA Credit: The Conference technical sessions may qualify for CPA credit.

About the FPA and Certified Financial Planners

Question What do the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designations in text and following people's names mean?
Answer Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and  the CFP® Logo which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
   
Question What is the Financial Planning Association (FPA)?
Answer The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is a national organization dedicated to the financial planning community including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™. The FPA provides certifications, training, local chapter support, and many other services. More information about the FPA can be found on the Financial Planning Association website.

 

 

2012 Platinum SponsorPayden Funds
Keynote"A local conference with a national reputation—the FPA NorCal Conference consistently stands apart as one of the best conferences I attend. From first-rate keynotes to cutting-edge breakout sessions, the FPA NorCal Conference is filled with value for advisors."
Deb Wetherby, CFA, CFP®
Wetherby Asset Management
fpa pictures 2011

View More Photos From
FPA NorCal Conference 2011


What a great year!  Keynotes, sessions, networking, and socializing.  All with the SF Palace Hotel as a backdrop.

Check out these photos!
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