We hope you will join us in October for our annual conference, which will focus on two key themes: legacy and innovation. Boston is an appropriate backdrop for this year’s conference as it is a city steeped in history and vibrant culture, but one that defies simple characterization—much like the multi-generational families served by FFI members. The most successful families have tapped into a combination of legacy and innovation—much like the dynamic, evolving nature of the family enterprise field. Though the field is still relatively young, with under 50 years of formal research, it continues to grow and innovate. At the Boston Marriott Long Wharf—set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic seaports—we will explore these dynamic themes together.

The 2025 program committee invites a broad range of ideas within these two broad themes, including (but not limited to) the complexities of operating within a global landscape; trust-building; cultural values; the development of a shared language; engaging rising generations; and managing risks, including financial, geopolitical, reputational, and technological. We aim to explore how to drive meaningful change while preserving and evolving family legacies.

This year’s theme will be built around five conference tracks—Educate, Research, Connect, Inspire, and Proclaim. Through these tracks we seek diverse perspectives, research, and innovative approaches designed to support family enterprise advisors, practitioners, educators, and researchers worldwide.

Legacies: Boston boasts nearly 50 higher education institutions, dating back to the founding of Harvard University in 1636, reflecting a city committed to learning.

Innovations: We are looking for proposals that advance learning and skill development for family enterprise advisors and educators. Presentations should focus on innovative teaching methods, curriculum design, and educational resources that promote knowledge in family business and family office education. The Educate track is ideal for academics, trainers, and educational framework developers aiming to enhance learning outcomes and practical implementation.

Legacies: Boston is home to many cutting-edge universities and research institutions as well as biotech pioneers such as Moderna, known for its groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccine.

Innovations: This track welcomes rigorous academic and empirical insights into family enterprise. We are interested in research that showcases new findings, methodological innovations, or theoretical advancements to enrich our understanding of family businesses. Proposals may include original research, case studies, or meta-analyses that advance scholarly conversations and create tangible impact.

Legacies: Whether it is the oldest public school in America (Boston Latin) or the long legacies of fan-favorite sports teams such as the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, or the renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston is synonymous with connection and community.

Innovations: The Connect track emphasizes fostering relationships—between advisors and families, across disciplines, and within family networks. We are seeking interactive workshops, discussions, and activities that promote collaboration and community building. Proposals should highlight strategies for meaningful engagement and forging strong connections.

Legacies: Boston’s legacy is woven with notable family enterprises: the Adams and Kennedy families (politics), the Johnson family (Fidelity Investments), the Kraft family (sports), and the Davis family (New Balance). The city has also inspired countless influential figures, from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Isabella Stewart Gardner to Malcolm X, Louis Brandeis, John Hancock, Helen Keller, John F. Kennedy, and Leonard Bernstein. For a deeper dive, see Boston’s Most Famous People.

Innovations: This track invites speakers to share compelling stories, personal journeys, and transformative case studies. We are looking for presentations that illuminate the power of innovation within family enterprises, offering inspiration and actionable insights for rethinking and revitalizing strategies.

Legacies: Boston’s publishing and communication history is rich, with names like Houghton Mifflin, Harvard Business School Press, Beacon Press, and Pearson Allyn & Bacon. The city’s storied past includes iconic figures like town crier Paul Revere.

Innovations: The Proclaim track seeks forward-thinking proposals that advocate for the family enterprise field, tackling its most pressing challenges and future opportunities. We invite bold ideas, new perspectives, and calls to action that emphasize the significance of family firms in the global economy and celebrate their distinctive societal contributions. This track is perfect for visionaries eager to shape and elevate the conversation on a global scale.

We invite you to submit proposals for presentations, workshops, and panel discussions that align with the conference theme and focus. Submissions that include topics unique to family offices are encouraged, as are submissions with research-based components.

• Proposals should be designed for advisors, consultants, academics, and researchers and be planned for 15 minutes (a single compelling idea in a “TedTalk” style presentation), 60 minutes, or 90 minutes.
• A variety of presentational formats will be considered, e.g., individual presentations, interviews, and small panels that address cross-cultural, multi-generational, and interdisciplinary topics.

 

• All submissions must be made online here.
• Late submissions will not be accepted or considered by the Program Committee. Deadline to submit is Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 11:59PM Eastern Time.