Roll Call: 24th Annual Benefits Forum and Expo 9/25 to 9/27

September 20, 2011

Employee Benefit News’ Benefits Forum and Expo is the largest event in the nation solely dedicated to employee benefits, so are you planning on attending?  If so, you’ll be among many senior benefits professionals who will be traveling to Dallas, TX next week.  I won’t be there myself, but make sure to look for the Financial Wellness at Work track on the conference agenda, which kicks off the day on Sunday, September 25th.

You’ll hear from Annette Grabow, Manager of Retirement Benefits at M.A. Mortenson Company, who was recognized in 2010 with the Benny Award.  Annette will be sharing her secrets to building a successful employer financial education program.  She comes up with the most creative and attention-grabbing themes each year, and I am always impressed how she continues to come up with such unique ideas.  I had so much fun this year being a part of her program, “Celebrate,” that recognizes her company’s 50th year of having a profit sharing plan.  We play the song before workshops, and employees actually get up and dance to the music in order to win a prize.  To keep the fun going, we also play a round of “Money Madness,” my own version of Jeopardy, with all topics being centered around retirement, estate planning, credit, and the economy.

Liz Davidson, founder and CEO of Financial Finesse (and my boss), will be moderating a panel discussion on “Best Practices in Financial Education.”  Panelists will include David D. Mancl, Director of the Office of Financial Literacy from the Wisconsin Dept. Of Financial Institutions, and Becky MacDicken, Workplace Financial Education Specialist from the Pennsylvania Office of Financial Education.  The experts will share specific steps toward improved employee engagement and positive bottom-line results.

Do you have your own story to share about results you’ve achieved with workplace financial education, or a creative idea you’ve used to encourage financial literacy?  Your story could earn you a free pass to Sunday’s conference event.  Email me at [email protected], or share your story by leaving a comment, and the winner will be notified on Thursday, 9/22.