RITA sets 2026 self-directed IRA conference for New Orleans

The Retirement Industry Trust Association will bring its fall conference to New Orleans on Oct. 28-29, 2026, with sessions on retirement-plan regulation, operations and compliance. The event also adds a new Emerging Leaders program and a second-line parade for attendees.

Why it matters: - RITA’s fall conference is a key gathering for self-directed retirement professionals tracking legal, regulatory and operational changes in the IRA market. - The event could shape how members approach compliance, plan administration and new retirement products heading into 2027.

What happened: - The Retirement Industry Trust Association will host its fall conference Oct. 28-29, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. - The conference theme is “Self-Directed IRAs & All That Jazz.” - RITA said the event will focus on issues affecting the IRA industry and self-directed retirement plans. - The conference will be held at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans in the French Quarter. - Registration is open to RITA members only.

The details: - RITA conferences are designed to deliver legislative and regulatory updates from leading experts. - Planned topics include Trump accounts, regulatory updates, operations, compliance and more. - The agenda is subject to change. - The conference will feature two full days of speakers, panels and roundtable sessions. - Hotel amenities include a pool, an oasis bar, concierge service and Bourbon Street balcony suites. - Attendees should book rooms in RITA’s hotel block by Sept. 29, 2026. - Discounted early-bird pricing runs through Sept. 4, 2026. - Event registration closes Oct. 19, 2026. - More information is available on RITA’s Fall 2026 Conference event page.

Between the lines: - The New Orleans setting is part conference, part networking event, with RITA highlighting a second-line parade for attendees. - The new Emerging Leaders program signals an effort to bring younger professionals into the association’s orbit. - RITA is positioning the conference as both an education forum and a member-retention event. - One Spring 2026 attendee said the conference is a “great opportunity” to meet other industry professionals. - Another attendee said the speaker quality was excellent and praised the coverage of industry issues.

What's next: - RITA Regular Members can nominate one employee for the new Emerging Leaders program. - Selected nominees will receive complimentary conference registration. - Nominees will also get access to private roundtable discussions during the conference. - RITA members will continue to receive updates as the agenda is finalized and registration deadlines approach.

The bottom line: - RITA is using its 2026 fall conference to combine policy education, networking and leadership development in one member-only event.