The Alpha Summit team spent this past week in Denver for Schwab IMPACT 2025, one of the most influential gatherings for the RIA community. This year’s event felt different. Conversations around the exhibit floor and throughout the educational sessions reflected an industry fully embracing innovation in portfolio construction, technology, and client experience. For us, as a platform that partners with RIAs to deliver differentiated investment strategies, it was an energizing confirmation that the RIA model continues to lead the evolution of wealth management.

The Macro Outlook: Opportunity with Guardrails

The conference opened with a keynote session titled “Policy, Portfolios & the Pulse Ahead,” featuring Schwab’s Kevin Gordon, Kathy Jones, and Liz Ann Sonders. Their message was clear: markets still offer opportunity, but the path forward requires precision. The economy remains resilient, yet uneven, and traditional fixed income allocations may not provide the diversification they once did.

For Alpha Summit, this reaffirmed a key principle behind our approach. Alpha generation increasingly depends on tactical flexibility and access to strategies that can adapt through changing macro regimes. Whether through hedged equity, thematic growth, or structured income, we see the future belonging to firms that can dynamically blend active insight with disciplined process.

Alternatives Move to the Center

Several sessions this year focused on the integration of alternative investments within client portfolios. Advisors are no longer treating alternatives as niche exposures; they are redesigning their model portfolios to include private credit, real estate, and hedge-style strategies as core building blocks.

One panelist noted that “the operational complexity of alternatives is the next frontier,” a sentiment we heard echoed across The Exchange exhibit hall. Advisors want exposure, but they also want efficiency, transparency, and alignment with their client experience.

This is exactly where Alpha Summit’s mission intersects with the market’s needs. Our proprietary SMAs, including the Dynamic Alpha Growth and Dynamic Disruptors 20, are structured to deliver differentiated exposures while fitting cleanly within an RIA’s existing custodian and reporting environment. At Schwab IMPACT we saw how vital that integration has become. The next wave of growth for advisors will come from platforms that provide institutional access without institutional friction.

Technology, Data, and the New Definition of Alpha

A recurring theme in the investing sessions was how data and technology are reshaping alpha generation. The phrase “quantitative insight” appeared in more than one panel. Advisors are increasingly combining macro research, factor analysis, and behavioral data to guide decisions across asset classes.

We view this evolution as validation of the systems and analytics we have built into Alpha Summit’s strategy lineup. From dynamic rebalancing to tactical allocation triggers, technology is not a gimmick; it is an execution edge. As we engaged with CIOs and portfolio managers throughout the event, the consensus was clear. In an environment of compressed returns, process and precision matter as much as product selection.

The Human Side of Investment Leadership

While the macro and portfolio content drew crowds, the leadership keynotes offered an equally powerful message about the mindset required to thrive. On Wednesday, Simon Sinek spoke about how purpose and clarity drive organizational performance, while on Thursday, Greg McKeown emphasized the importance of “essentialism,” focusing only on what truly matters.

For investment teams, these ideas translate directly into discipline. It is easy to chase every new theme, but true alpha requires intention. Our team left those sessions reminded that simplicity, structure, and conviction are timeless sources of strength.

Similarly, Will Guidara’s closing keynote, “Unreasonable Hospitality,” reinforced that differentiation in today’s advisory landscape often comes from experience, not excess. Providing more than expected, whether through education, access, or service, is how enduring relationships are built. That is a principle we bring to every partnership at Alpha Summit.

Key Takeaways for RIAs and CIOs

• Macro awareness is essential. With the economy entering a more complex phase, tactical strategies and risk-aware overlays will become critical tools.
• Alternatives are going mainstream. Firms that treat them as core components, not side allocations, will lead.
• Technology drives precision. Data, modeling, and workflow integration now define competitive advantage.
• Culture determines execution. The best investment ideas fail without clear purpose and consistent process.

Each of these points reinforces the same idea: RIAs need partners who can provide institutional-grade strategy design and seamless implementation. Alpha Summit’s goal is to meet that demand by helping firms scale intelligently, invest with conviction, and serve their clients with greater confidence.

Looking Ahead

As we look to 2026, the message from Schwab IMPACT is unmistakable. The RIA ecosystem is stronger than ever, but expectations have changed. Clients want personalization and access. Advisors want integration and governance. Platforms must deliver both.

Alpha Summit will continue to build bridges between innovation and implementation. Whether through proprietary SMAs, tactical models, or alternative strategies, we remain committed to helping advisory firms expand what is possible for their clients.

For those who attended Schwab IMPACT, we hope our conversations at the booth sparked new ideas. For those we have yet to meet, we invite you to connect with us. The pursuit of alpha is evolving, and together we can help define its next chapter.

SteelPeak Wealth, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in Woodland Hills, California. SteelPeak and its representatives are in compliance with the current registration requirements imposed upon registered investment advisers by those states in which SteelPeak maintains clients. SteelPeak may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Any subsequent, direct communication by SteelPeak with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. SteelPeak Wealth is not licensed to and does not engage in the practice of rendering legal or tax advice. Any discussion of either is for informational purposes only and you are strongly encouraged to seek appropriate counsel prior to taking action. The material is limited to the dissemination of general information that may not be suitable for everyone and should not be construed as personalized advice of any kind. Furthermore, this material should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. For additional information about SteelPeak, including fees and services, send for our disclosure statement as set forth on Form ADV from SteelPeak using the contact information herein, or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure web site (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you invest or send money. 

Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice. Please consult your financial professional for additional information. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by SteelPeak to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing.