The Raymond James Pride Financial Advisors Network has continued to grow since it was created in June 2020, according to Robbie Moseley, vice president of AdvisorChoice Consulting and national co-chair of the Pride Inclusion Network.
Attendance at PFAN's annual Business of Pride Symposium has also grown over the past three years, he said, noting the third event was held June 28-30, at Raymond James headquarters and The Karol Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida.
"We had over 200 advisors and allies join us and about 80 individuals from the home office" this time, he told ThinkAdvisor in an online interview. "We've seen that number grow from 40 to about 65 to 80 [advisors] that are registered and take part in the Symposium."
Therefore, "we are just really excited that it continues to grow as an organization," he said. "We have two pride organizations: One is our Pride Financial Advisor Network, and one is our Pride Inclusion Network, which [includes] home office and service associates."
The Business of Pride Symposium provides the opportunity for attendees to learn about topics that resonate with the LGBT+ community, according to Raymond James.
The biggest change to the event this year was an attempt to, "with its title being Business of Pride," help advisors grow their business and their brand and make an impact in the community they wish to serve, according to Moseley.
What makes Raymond James unique is that "independence really goes beyond any specific affiliation and so, regardless of affiliation at Raymond James … we give our advisors freedom to brand themselves in a completely different way," he said. "So if you look at the way that we're branding, even employee-side advisors, it allows them to really build this brand within the LGBT community."
