By Ryan Kwiatkowski, StoneX
STA Chair
It’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to a close. The days are getting shorter, kids are back at school and your trading desk is likely more fully staffed than it has been in weeks. The end of Q3 is fast approaching, and strategies and tactics for a productive Q4 are being refined and finalized as we speak.
It also means that in just six short weeks (October 11-13), our industry will return to Washington DC for the 90th Annual STA Market Structure Conference. We are thrilled with the program we have put together, which features prominent senior executives and thought leaders from some of the most innovative firms in the business. It also includes networking events, entertainment and opportunities to give back that STA has long been known for. You can learn more and register here.
But what exactly can attendees expect? And why does this year’s iteration promise to be the best one yet? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Around the Markets in 72 Hours
Early on in our planning, we selected a theme that we believed would resonate throughout the year and beyond: The Next Era. From a sweeping new agenda at the SEC to the continued explosion of retail investing to emerging trends like 24-hour trading, so many different corners of our industry are at a key inflection point, and we set a goal of addressing as many as possible.
To that end, our list of speakers is one of our most varied to date. Our program features executives from the sell side, buy side, exchanges and technology vendors; regulators from the SEC, CFTC and FINRA; and industry professionals from the equities and listed options markets. Our roster of sponsors and attendees is even more diverse. No matter where you sit in the markets, what issues your firm is facing or who you’re looking to meet, there will be something for you.
We are excited to welcome a few new speakers who will be taking the stage at the JW Marriott DC for the first time. They include:
- Matt Andresen, Co-Founder and CEO, Headlands Technology
- Dalia Blass, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
- Kathryn Rooney Vera, Chief Market Strategist, StoneX
We also look forward to welcoming returning speakers, such as Tal Cohen (Nasdaq), Dan Gallagher (Robinhood) and Hester Peirce (SEC). All will bring their own unique perspectives on the most pressing issues facing our markets today. It’s always useful to hear from familiar faces who have shared with us over the years so that we can place industry evolution into context.
That brings us right back to the purpose of the conference, and indeed, of STA as an organization. Our industry changes practically every day – sometimes even more often than that – but while the trends may shift, we are a constant. We take pride in serving as an industry resource, especially as we move into The Next Era, and we believe this role will be reaffirmed by the outstanding program we have in store this October.
A Week to Remember
Anyone who has attended this Conference in the past is aware that the benefits don’t end with the last panel of the day on Friday. Our event also presents opportunities to meet new industry colleagues, reunite with old ones and reach new audiences. It’s a chance for our industry to give back, through events like our run/walk for charity and our presentation of the 2023 Dictum Meum Pactum Award, which will go to Bryan Harkins. Overall, it’s a unique occasion to assess the state of our industry and celebrate what it means to be part of it. Our organization represents individuals, and providing these individuals with meaningful, useful and fun experiences is a fundamental goal.
We can’t wait to share more program details in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, it’s time to register and make your travel arrangements! We look forward to hosting you for The Next Era and all eras yet to come.
See you in DC!
