The Value of History at KCEPS: A Recap

Last Thursday and Friday saw the 35^th annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium set up shop inside the Overland Park Convention Center.

The symposium’s goal is as an educational resource for estate planners, wealth managers, trust officers and business advisors within our region on legal, tax, insurance, planning and practice issues, utilizing national speakers and resources wherever possible. This year’s topics included “Exploring the Tax Space Continuum, Planning for the Modern Family, Cyber Estate Planning and Administration, Hot Button Tax Issues for the IRS, Undue Influences, Ethics, Estate Planning Issues With Intra-Family Loans and Notes, Charitable Gift Planning Strategies Involving Closely-Held Businesses, and more.

What drew me to it was the networking opportunity it provided. All manner of estate planning attorneys, business and tax attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, planned giving professionals, financial planners and life underwriters were present.

Exhibitors tended to be those in orbit around the estate planning industry – banks, trusts, business valuers, an auctioneer, MU, etc, and we made many great contacts throughout the estate planning community here locally and nationally.

Noted jewelry appraiser Tracey Kahle and I set up shop together as exhibitors, and as it happened, had one of the better spots – near the end of the foyer, across from the main ballroom, dining room – not to mention the all-important restrooms, and beside the only easy access to the outdoors from that floor, the sun patio.

In an effort to make our table stand out, Tracey brought her microscope and works on gems and jewelry, while I brought my Edwardian British Diplomat uniform, circa 1900 Baden Police Spike Helmet, a pair of Belleek pieces, Majollica, and Orefors crystal in order to illustrate the range of items that are most often worth appraising in an estate planning setting.

After two days of great conversations and sitting in on a lecture or two, I was wiped out. I’d like to thank my colleague Tracey Kahle for alerting me to it, and the various underwriters.  I’m really glad I did it and look forward to next year!