Last month, ITM TwentyFirst was proud to sponsor FIRMA’s (Fiduciary & Investment Risk Management Association) 35th Annual National Training Conference in Nashville, TN. This marks the 16th consecutive year ITM TwentyFirst has sponsored this important industry event for trust fiduciary risk, compliance and audit professionals, and this year’s event represented the first in-person event since 2019.

FIRMA’s Executive Director, Hale Mast, reflected on the 5-day event: “The conference itself featured outstanding industry-leading topics for continuing education expertise from over 55 speakers.  Emerging from the Pandemic restrictions over the past two years, this live conference was a wonderful reunion of long-time friends and FIRMA members, of new attendees, and of ever-faithful industry sponsors.  The expertise of timely well-delivered topics combined with the thrilling city of Nashville produced a memorable, dynamic, and fantastic event for all.”

This year’s conference was extra special for ITM TwentyFirst, as our very own Leon Wessels was honored with FIRMA’s Award of Excellence. The award is given in recognition of Leon’s outstanding dedication, loyalty and service to the trust and wealth management industry. Additionally, the award profoundly recognized Leon’s faithful support and ambassadorship of the vital FIRMA mission. “As I reflect on the past 22 years, I can honestly say, the single most important business decision was to participate with, and support the FIRMA organization and its members” said Leon Wessels. “To receive this award at the recent conference was so amazing it left me speechless! Thank you, Hale and to all of FIRMA, as well as the wonderful members we call friends.”

Hale Mast’s thoughts on the FIRMA organization and its legacy: “For over 39 years, FIRMA has forged an industry reputation of excellence in both reliable and state-of-the industry- training expertise as well as outstanding Membership Value in member services, support, and connectivity.  FIRMA proudly serves the wealth and asset management business with a laser-focus upon risk management, compliance, and audit.  FIRMA members are the best and the brightest within that professional group – staying current with laws, regulations, and compliance supervision to ensure the finest in fiduciary risk management governance, awareness, and application. Quite simply, FIRMA is the go-to organization for training and peer-to-peer resource validation in today’s wealth management and fiduciary industry. At $295 annually, FIRMA invites you to join our elite membership.  Membership allows you access to FIRMA’s premier service – participation in one of our 16 Industry Peer Groups.  There exists no higher level of fiduciary risk, compliance, or audit problem resolution or emerging hot-topic recognition than our exclusive Peer Groups.  Our members also enjoy discounted training fees, a quarterly magazine, and private member-peer connectivity.  Come join us – You cannot afford to miss FIRMA’s proven industry value.”

For more information about FIRMA or membership in this great organization, visit www.thefirma.org.