2023 Annual Conference
The NAGDCA Annual Conference is the can’t-miss event for the public sector defined contribution retirement plan industry. The event is an opportunity for you to build a national network of plan sponsors and industry representatives, share ideas with peers, learn innovative techniques for improving retirement outcomes, and much more.
Whether it’s educational sessions, receptions, roundtable discussions, or networking events, NAGDCA volunteers develop the program specifically for our unique audience to ensure that all aspects of the conference are valuable for attendees.
WHEN : Sunday, October 8 – Wednesday, October 11
WHERE : Hyatt Regency Seattle | Online
Sessions On-demand
All 2023 conference sessions are now available on-demand.
Click here to view sessions recordings and other event highlights.
Registration Information
Registration for the event is closed.
| Registration Type | Registration Fee Early-bird |
Registration Fee After July 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Government Member | $700 | $800 |
| Government Non-member¹ | $900 | $1,000 |
| Industry Member | $1,300 | $1,400 |
| Industry Non-member | $1,900 | $2,000 |
| Virtual Only² (Includes livestreamed keynote (1), general sessions (5), and post-event recordings of breakout sessions (9).) |
$250 | $250 |
¹ Government Non-member registration includes complimentary NAGDCA membership beginning on the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2023. Only available to entities who have not been members within the past three years.
² Agenda (final number of sessions) subject to change.
| Registration Type | Registration Fee Early-bird |
Registration Fee After July 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Government New Member (as of 1/1/23) – membership held by organization | $350 | $450 |
| Government New WA Member (as of 1/1/23) – membership held by organization | $250 | $250 |
| Retired Government Member/Past NAGDCA President – in-person | $150 | $150 |
| Government Member-in-Transition¹ | $300 | $300 |
| Industry Member-in-Transition¹ | $500 | $500 |
| Guest | $150 | $150 |
| Media | Complimentary | Complimentary |
¹ Individuals who have been NAGDCA members for a minimum of two years within the past three years may attend the annual conference one time at a reduced registration fee in the 12 months after which they become unemployed.
SUBSTITUTIONS
NAGDCA accepts substitutions at any time including onsite. All substitution requests should be emailed to registration@nagdca.org.
REFUNDS
- Full Refund – cancel by September 7
- Full Refund less a $25 administrative fee – cancel between September 8-15
- No refunds after September 15 unless in the event of a special circumstance such as a serious illness, accident, or death of a family member. Documentation to support the special circumstance (e.g., a physician’s statement) will be required in order to process the refund.
EVENT CANCELLATION
The NAGDCA Annual Conference will be cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God if the venue and/or location of the event is closed or provides notice to NAGDCA of its inability to hold the event, or if the local, state or federal government declares an emergency status is in effect for the location of the event. If the NAGDCA Annual Conference is cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God as set forth herein, every attempt will be made to reschedule the event and your registration fee will be applied to the rescheduled event date.
If the NAGDCA Annual Conference is cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God as set forth herein, and is not rescheduled, your registration fee will be refunded, and sponsor monies will be refunded. Any travel expenses that may have been incurred cannot be refunded by NAGDCA under any circumstances. If the NAGDCA event is held but conditions (whether forecasted or actualized) prohibit you from traveling, NAGDCA cannot refund your registration fee.
Questions? Please email registration@nagdca.org if you have conference registration questions.
Day 1 | Sunday, October 8 |
|---|
| 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | BONUS SESSION – Building Successful Board and Staff Relationships
Successful governance of public sector retirement plans is the foundation of providing participants with retirement options that best meet their needs. Join us for this new Sunday session exploring the important roles of staff, Board, and committee members and best practices for building strong relationships among all parties. The panel will address education on responsibilities of staff versus Board, review steps for developing successful plan operations, discuss common governance challenges, and provide practical tips for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations. Speakers:
This session is free of charge for all attendees. For planning purposes, please let us know you’d like to attend by RSVPing on the registration form. |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ HEADSHOTS
Open to 2023 and 2024 committee members. Committee members are invited to have a headshot taken by the professional conference photographer. (Headshots will be shared with committee members for personal use.) |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | WELCOME RECEPTION
A can’t miss event! Connect with the NAGDCA community over drinks and dinner during this conference kick-off reception. |
Day 2 | Monday, October 9 |
|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | CONFERENCE OPENING & KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Adapt, Overcome, and Win as One! | Robyn Benincasa If there’s one thing we can all count on right now, it’s that something is about to change. It is our response to ongoing change that dictates our success. So how do we inspire the kind of mindset and lead the kind of teams that drive our organizations to Adapt, Overcome and Win as ONE in the face of times of extreme challenge and change? Inspired by a Fast Company Magazine feature story about Robyn’s World Champion Adventure Racing team, Robyn shares the Essential Elements of World Class Performance that allowed her team to be the most prolific and consistent World Champions in the sport, and that are easily applied to the adventures in our professional lives. Robyn and her teammates weren’t on the podium at the World Championships every year because they had the fastest team members – they simply had some of the smartest. Their team culture of innovation, visionary creativity, relentless lead building, and embracing calculated risk as a strategy for success made them one of the most exciting and successful teams in the history of adventure sports, and in this presentation, Robyn shares the mindset and strategies that created their consistent breakthrough performance. |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | GROUP 1 – (3 options)
Communicating Complex Plans Public sector defined contribution plan sponsors face unique challenges when trying to reach and inform the many individuals within their diverse workforces. Financial literacy, plan complexities, and wide-ranging audiences all must be considered when developing a communication strategy. Learn about two state plans and the communication tactics they’re employing to reach their participants. The panel will also share tips for simplifying messaging and utilizing plan enhancements to address retention challenges. Speakers:
Investments in an Uncertain World Given the sharp rise in interest rates over the past year, many plan sponsors are reevaluating their investment options in today’s market. Join the panel for a discussion on the uncertainties in retirement investing and how plan sponsors can best help participants on their investment journey. Learn about current investment structure trends, tips for ensuring your selected options meet the needs of your participant base, and drawdown strategies to help participants manage spending in retirement. Speakers:
Managing Complexities in Higher Education Plans: Lessons for All Learn about the key features of three university plans and the unique challenges they face such as multiple employers, diversity of participants, and a variety of plan designs. The panel will discuss plan governance structures, investment options, participant engagement, and provide lessons learned that can be applied to all public sector DC plans. Speakers: |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Opening Luncheon |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION DECK
Crafted exclusively for the conference, this interactive session encourages thoughtful conversation in a roundtable discussion format. Each group discussion is unique and allows members to learn from each other by discussing a range of engaging and interesting questions. You don’t want to miss this enriching networking session. |
| 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | GENERAL SESSION
Economic Outlook Will the recession ever hit? Are more banking failures possible? What can we expect in the year ahead? Explore the current market conditions and learn what’s expected in both the short- and long-term economic forecast. The panel will address the latest around interest rates, inflation, and the dichotomy of fixed income and equity. Learn how all this and more can impact plan sponsors and participants and leave with tips for helping employees focus on the long-term investment journey. Speakers: |
| 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | NAGDCA AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY
The annual NAGDCA Awards Program recognizes the brightest ideas and most innovative solutions from across the industry. Join us to learn about the 2023 Leadership Award Winners and for the presentation of the prestigious NAGDCA Art Caple President’s Award and new Members’ Choice Award. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate your colleagues and learn from their outstanding achievements. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. | Leadership Award Photos
2023 Leadership Award Winners, stick around after the ceremony to pick up your plaque and have a picture taken with the NAGDCA President. |
Day 3 | Tuesday, October 10 |
|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | GENERAL SESSION
Building a Plan for Those Who Need it Most Public sector plan data show meaningful differences in savings and investment behaviors among employee populations that plan sponsors must consider when making plan changes and developing outreach strategies. Learn how plans can leverage data to pinpoint gaps in plan usage across key populations and what to do if data is not available. The panel will share effective participant engagement techniques and discuss special efforts to reach populations at greater risk of financial instability. Speakers: |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Break |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | GROUP 2 – (3 options)
Insights from the NAGDCA Fees Task Force In 2022, a fee task force, consisting of plan sponsors and industry members, was established to help public plan sponsors understand the various ways fees can be assessed to the defined contribution plan(s), participants, and investment options. The goal was to provide transparency into fee structures, revenue drivers, and costs associated with the products and services utilized by sponsors to help provide education, investment options, and administration of their retirement programs offered to plan participants. The panel will discuss the evolution of fee evaluation by NAGDCA over time, collateral material created, and an analysis of potential cost drivers to help understand the nuances of fees associated with public plans. Speakers:
RFP Best Practices for Governmental Plan Sponsors As participant needs from their deferred compensation plan change, the technological capabilities of the recordkeepers in the marketplace have been evolving rapidly. This panel will provide an overview of the best practices that governmental plan sponsors can implement to generate the best possible outcome from their RFP. Learn about the real-world recent experiences that our panelists have witnessed recently and how these can help you in your own RFP. Speakers:
Recruitment, Retention, and Total Employee Wellbeing The pandemic accelerated a societal shift that’s been going on for years; our work lives and our personal lives are merging. Wise employers are recognizing that to have a highly productive workforce, they need to help employees develop a healthy mind, body, wallet, and life. This session will explore how some employers are making that goal a reality and provide tips for marketing the value of a career in public service with current staff or prospective job candidates. The panel will also review research that sheds light on the benefits of most interest to public employees and the characteristics of the work that attract them to the field in the first place. Speakers: |
| 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Break |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Industry Members’ Business Meeting Industry members only. |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | GOVERNMENT BREAKOUT SESSONS BY ASSET SIZE Government attendees only. Join your peers from plans of a similar size to discuss common issues.
|
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Government Members’ Lunch and Business Meeting Government members only. |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | GROUP 2 REPEATED – (3 options)
Insights from the NAGDCA Fees Task Force In 2022, a fee task force, consisting of plan sponsors and industry members, was established to help public plan sponsors understand the various ways fees can be assessed to the defined contribution plan(s), participants, and investment options. The goal was to provide transparency into fee structures, revenue drivers, and costs associated with the products and services utilized by sponsors to help provide education, investment options, and administration of their retirement programs offered to plan participants. The panel will discuss the evolution of fee evaluation by NAGDCA over time, collateral material created, and an analysis of potential cost drivers to help understand the nuances of fees associated with public plans. Speakers:
RFP Best Practices for Governmental Plan Sponsors As participant needs from their deferred compensation plan change, the technological capabilities of the recordkeepers in the marketplace have been evolving rapidly. This panel will provide an overview of the best practices that governmental plan sponsors can implement to generate the best possible outcome from their RFP. Learn about the real-world recent experiences that our panelists have witnessed recently and how these can help you in your own RFP. Speakers:
Recruitment, Retention, and Total Employee Wellbeing The pandemic accelerated a societal shift that’s been going on for years; our work lives and our personal lives are merging. Wise employers are recognizing that to have a highly productive workforce, they need to help employees develop a healthy mind, body, wallet, and life. This session will explore how some employers are making that goal a reality and provide tips for marketing the value of a career in public service with current staff or prospective job candidates. The panel will also review research that sheds light on the benefits of most interest to public employees and the characteristics of the work that attract them to the field in the first place. Speakers: |
| 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Break |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | GENERAL SESSION
The Generational Divide in Public Retirement Plans – Savings, Spending, and Retirement Income Since the global financial crisis, many defined benefit plans have scaled back retirement benefits, particularly for new hires and younger workers. Despite these reductions, many employees are spending all or almost all of their income, leaving little to save to help bridge potential retirement income shortfalls. On top of that, employers are faced with younger generations of workers with different views on saving and retirement. Learn about the spending and saving behaviors of public sector defined contribution participants, how plan sponsors can help participants reach a secure retirement and key considerations (including those often overlooked) for delivering income for life to members. Speakers: |
| 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | OFF-SITE EVENT | Seattle Aquarium |
Day 4 | Wednesday, October 11 |
|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Luggage Storage
Please note, luggage must be picked up by 1:00 p.m. |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | GENERAL SESSION
Solutions to Fiduciary Challenges Fiduciary duties are at the core of effective plan governance, and it’s essential for plan sponsors to clearly understand their responsibilities to achieve the best results for plan participants. This session will review fiduciary duties and responsibilities and provide solutions to common challenges. Learn about recent cases dealing with breaches of fiduciary duty claims and steps plan fiduciaries can take to avoid potential litigation. The panel will also share details of CalHR’s in-house fiduciary education program, and discuss lessons learned from private plans impacted by the recent DOL cybersecurity guidance. Speakers: |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Break |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | GROUP 3– (3 options)
NAGDCA Award Case Studies – Vendor Consolidation and Investment Menu Enhancement Presented by Chicago Public Schools and the City of Seattle. Speakers:
NAGDCA Award Case Studies – Targeted Messaging Presented by the City and County of Honolulu and Maryland Teachers & State Employees Supplemental Retirement Plans (MSRP). Speakers:
NAGDCA Award Case Studies – Financial Wellness Presented by the City of Anaheim and the County of Los Angeles. Speakers: |
| 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Break |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | GENERAL SESSION
Washington Update Join members of NAGDCA’s Legislative Committee and attorneys from Groom Law Group, the association’s legislative affairs firm, for a discussion around SECURE 2.0 challenges, opportunities, and the latest implementation guidance as well as current and future federal legislative and regulatory priorities. Speakers: |
Speakers
Click below to learn about the conference speakers and moderators.
Lodging
Only registered attendees can book a hotel room.
Upon registering, you will receive a link to make reservations in NAGDCA’s room block. You must use that link to receive the group rate.
Hyatt Regency Seattle (headquarters hotel and meeting venue)
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA 98101
Room rate: $259 + taxes and fees*
*Guest Room Rate is exclusive of applicable taxes and fees in effect at the time of check-in.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Take the Link Light Rail to the the Westlake Station, and walk two blocks to the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Visit the SEA website for more information.
TAXI AND RIDESHARE SERVICES
Taxis and Ride-Share services are among the options for transportation to/from the airport and hotel; visit the SEA website for ground transportation options.
OVERNIGHT PARKING
Self-parking is available at the Hyatt at a rate of $43 overnight. Parking rates are subject to change without notice. For oversize parking options, please contact the hotel directly.
Sponsors
Click here to learn about NAGDCA Connect sponsorship opportunities.
VISIONARY
PREMIER
PARTNER
SUPPORTER
Continuing Education Credit
Please contact Carly Miller at cmiller@amrms.com if you have any continuing education questions.
National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators 108617 is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA) is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. The total number of PDCs this program will be listed once approved (credits awarded based on session attendance). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
NAGDCA is also eligible to offer continuing education credits for CFP and CRC designations. For more information about the CFP program, please visit www.CFP.net, and for more information regarding the CRC program, please visit www.InFRE.org.
For the sessions at the NAGDCA Annual Conference, no advanced preparation nor prerequisites are required.
Virtual conference attendees are eligible to receive credit for livestreamed sessions only. Session recordings are ineligible for credit.
Click here to view credits and learning objectives for all approved conference sessions.
Virtual conference attendees are eligible to receive credit for the livestreamed General Sessions.
Attendees seeking CFP*, CPE, CRC and/or SHRM credit MUST complete a CE session survey for each session attended. The surveys can be found attached to each qualifying session on the mobile app. You must be logged in to the app to complete surveys.
Each session that offers credit will have a code word associated with it, which will be displayed on the last slide of each presentation. Be sure to make note of the code word; you will be asked to enter it at the beginning of each session survey to prove your attendance. If you miss a code word, please ask for it at the registration desk.
*If you are seeking CFP Credit, you must submit your CFP Board ID number in the survey titled “CFP Board ID” in the conference app.
Your certificate(s) of completion will be emailed to you following the conference.
FAQs
Livestreamed sessions:
- Keynote Speaker (1)
- General Sessions (5)
- Awards Presentation (1)
Recorded sessions provided post-conference (ineligible for continuing education credits):
- Breakout Sessions (9)
Registration Fee: $250.00
Agenda (final number of sessions) subject to change.
Only registered attendees can book a hotel room. Upon registering, you will receive a registration confirmation email containing the links to make your hotel reservation.
Confirmation emails are commonly delivered to junk or spam folders. If you can not locate your confirmation email, please contact registration@nagdca.org to request a resend.
NAGDCA will not be hosting the Theresa Cruz Myers 5k during the 2023 annual conference.
The run honored Theresa Cruz Myers who was a long-time member and great supporter of NAGDCA’s efforts to mentor students and provide opportunities to them as they pursue their careers in financial planning. Theresa lost a hard-fought battle to leukemia in December 2014, and NAGDCA was honored to host the annual run in her memory for many years. Attendees who previously participated are encouraged to use the fitness center or walk/run in Seattle on their own.
SUBSTITUTIONS
NAGDCA accepts substitutions at any time including onsite. All substitution requests should be emailed to registration@nagdca.org.
REFUNDS
- Full Refund – cancel by September 7
- Full Refund less a $25 administrative fee – cancel between September 8-15
- No refunds after September 15 unless in the event of a special circumstance such as a serious illness, accident, or death of a family member. Documentation to support the special circumstance (e.g., a physician’s statement) will be required in order to process the refund.
EVENT CANCELLATION
The NAGDCA Annual Conference will be cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God if the venue and/or location of the event is closed or provides notice to NAGDCA of its inability to hold the event, or if the local, state or federal government declares an emergency status is in effect for the location of the event. If the NAGDCA Annual Conference is cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God as set forth herein, every attempt will be made to reschedule the event and your registration fee will be applied to the rescheduled event date.
If the NAGDCA Annual Conference is cancelled due to inclement weather or other acts of God as set forth herein, and is not rescheduled, your registration fee will be refunded, and sponsor monies will be refunded. Any travel expenses that may have been incurred cannot be refunded by NAGDCA under any circumstances. If the NAGDCA event is held but conditions (whether forecasted or actualized) prohibit you from traveling, NAGDCA cannot refund your registration fee.
Access to advance registration lists is a benefit reserved for Visionary, Premier, and Partner level conference sponsorship packages. A link to access the attendance roster will be sent to the sponsorship point of contact in early June or upon purchase.
All attendees may access the preliminary conference roster utilizing the conference mobile app. Registration lists are provided as a service for conference attendees, offering a convenient way to network with colleagues. The data provided in these lists may not be harvested, sold to others, incorporated into any type of database, used to generate mailing lists, or employed for any promotional purpose.
Business casual attire is appropriate for all conference activities. Please keep in mind, the meeting rooms will be air-conditioned so you may want to bring a blazer or sweater for the sessions.
Yes, please remember to wear your badge while attending all NAGDCA functions. This allows you access to conference sessions, meals, and receptions. Your badge is proof of registration. Without it, you will not be allowed to participate in any conference activities.
Yes. Luggage storage will be available on Wednesday, October 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please note, luggage must be picked up by 1:00 p.m.
NAGDCA takes photographs and videos during its meetings and events for use in association advertising, newsletters and other promotional materials, whether in print, electronic or other media, including the NAGDCA website. By participating in this conference, you grant NAGDCA the right to use your name, photograph and/or video for such purposes.