The 2026 Economic Summit brought together forward-thinking investors, advisors, and industry leaders for two days of timely insights, candid conversations, and actionable takeaways on the future of money, markets, and technology.
A Strong Start: VIP Pre-Event Mixer
The event kicked off on Friday evening, January 16, with an intimate VIP Pre-Event Mixer. Attendees from all over the country connected with speakers and fellow participants, setting the tone for a weekend built on thoughtful discussion and meaningful relationships. The mixer provided a rare opportunity to exchange ideas ahead of the main event and dive deeper into the themes that would define the summit.
The Main Event: 2026 Economic Summit
On Saturday, January 17, the summit officially got underway with a full day of programming focused on Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and the Evolving Investment Landscape.
Keynote: Ed Slott on Retirement Planning
The day opened with a powerful keynote from Ed Slott, CPA, widely known as “America’s IRA Expert.” Slott delivered practical, easy-to-understand guidance on retirement planning, tax strategies, and the costly mistakes investors can avoid with proactive planning—insights that resonated across generations.
Financial Planning Q&A
Certified Financial Planners Danny Ratliff and Richard Rosso led an interactive Financial Planning Q&A. Their session emphasized clarity, discipline, and planning in an increasingly complex financial environment.
Artificial Intelligence in Finance
Brian Dunlap, AI thought leader and product strategist, explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial decision-making. His session highlighted real-world applications of AI in investing, portfolio management, and client engagement—separating genuine innovation from hype.
Technology in Action: SimpleVisor Demonstration
Nick Lane, MS, CFA®, RIA Portfolio Manager, provided a live demonstration of the SimpleVisor platform, including a sneak preview of SimpleVisor.AI. Attendees saw firsthand how professionals navigate markets, follow core and thematic portfolios, receive real-time trade alerts, and turn ideas into portfolios using integrated fundamental and technical analysis.
Bonds, Bucks, and the Federal Reserve
Michael Lebowitz, CFA®, RIA Portfolio Manager, delivered a deep dive into bonds, money creation, and the Federal Reserve. His session challenged popular dollar-debasement narratives, explained the mechanics behind monetary policy, and explored the future of Fed leadership beyond Chair Powell—offering clarity in a space often dominated by headlines and misinformation.
Market Outlook & Portfolio Risk
Closing out the afternoon, Lance Roberts, Chief Investment Strategist, addressed one of the most pressing questions on investors’ minds: Will the market crash in 2026? His presentation examined valuations, earnings, economic cycles, election dynamics, and recession risks—focusing on how these factors should be incorporated into portfolio strategy rather than feared.
The Future of Digital Assets
Rounding out the day, Daniel Kang, a leading cryptocurrency expert, provided a clear-eyed look at the evolving digital asset landscape. His insights addressed regulation, adoption trends, and where digital assets may fit within diversified portfolios going forward.
Market Outlook & Investment Strategy
A standout panel featuring Lance Roberts, Michael Lebowitz, and Adam Taggart tackled today’s market realities—from valuation risks and economic uncertainty to portfolio construction and risk management. Rather than focusing on headlines, the discussion centered on data, probabilities, and preparing for multiple outcomes.
What Attendees Are Saying
The feedback from attendees reinforced the summit’s mission of delivering value, relevance, and meaningful connection:
“Always been an informative conference and getting better every year. Loved the variety of topics.”
“This investment seminar was excellent.”
“Everything was great and very informative. I will return, if I am able, next year. Thank you so much!”
“Everybody at RIA Summit was wonderful. Looking forward to future events.”
“The RIA personnel were all extremely giving with their time and all very personable. I was impressed with RIA group overall.”
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Economic Summit delivered on its promise: practical knowledge, forward-looking perspectives, and honest conversations about where investing is headed. From retirement planning and market strategy to AI and digital assets, attendees left better equipped to navigate uncertainty—and opportunity—in the years ahead.
Thank you to our speakers and attendees for making this event a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation and seeing you at future events.
The post 2026 Economic Summit Recap: Where Investing, AI, and Digital Assets Converged appeared first on RIA.
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