The Dakota Way
 
Allocator Conference 2026

Exclusive Access to the Top Allocators in the Industry.

DateMonday, May 18th, 2026
FormatOne-Day Conference
VenuePier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York City
Speakers18 Confirmed Speakers

Join sales leaders, industry experts, and fundraising professionals for a day of direct access to the allocators you are trying to reach. Hear what they are allocating to in 2026, what earns their attention, and what sets the best salespeople apart.

May
18
Conference Date
18
Confirmed Speakers
$995
GENERAL Registration
Pier 60 Chelsea Piers, New York City
Late Access — Expires May 17
$995
Register before May 17, 2026
 
Register at events.dakota.com
Register Now →

One Day. Direct Access. The Allocators You Need to Reach.

The Dakota Way Allocator Conference is built around a single idea: give investment sales professionals direct, structured access to the allocators they are trying to reach. Not panels of consultants discussing trends. Not keynotes from vendors.

Actual allocators, the CIOs, investment directors, and senior decision-makers at RIAs, family offices, foundations, banks, and consulting firms, speaking candidly about what they are allocating to, how they evaluate managers, and what genuinely differentiates the salespeople they choose to work with.

The day is organized around two Allocator Interview Series sessions, and a full networking reception with views of the Hudson from Pier 60. Small enough to make real connections. Curated enough to make every session worth your time.

This conference brings together sales leaders, industry experts, and fundraising professionals to hear leading allocators share their insights on what asset classes they are allocating to in 2026, and what separates the salespeople who earn their trust from those who don't.
Gui Costin — CEO & Founder, Dakota
Hear directly from RIAs, family offices, foundations, banks, and consultants about their 2026 allocation priorities, information you normally spend months of meetings trying to piece together
Learn what allocators say captures their attention, and what turns them off, in a format that is candid and unscripted
Understand what the top sales leaders in the investment industry look for in high-performing fundraising professionals
Build relationships with fellow sales professionals working in the same channels, a network that pays dividends long after the conference
Spend the closing reception at Pier 60 with some of the most active allocators and distribution professionals in the business, in one of New York's most iconic event spaces
Leave with a clearer, more informed picture of what it takes to raise capital in the current environment, from the people who actually write the checks

A Full Day Built Around Direct Access and Real Conversations.

Schedule is subject to change. All sessions take place at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York City.

11:00 AM
12:00 PM
Arrival
Registration & Networking Lunch
Settle in, grab lunch, and begin connecting with fellow investment sales professionals before the sessions begin. One of the most valuable hours of the day, use it.
12:00 PM
12:15 PM
Opening
Opening Keynote | Presented by Gui Costin + Salesforce
Gui shares his perspective on what it means to be a sales leader in today's fundraising landscape, and how embracing leadership and continuous development drives long-term success in investment sales.
12:15 PM
1:25 PM
Allocator Access
Allocator Interview Series — Session One
Direct interviews with allocators from RIAs, family offices, foundations, banks, and consultants. They will share what captures their attention, what turns them off, and what genuinely sets the best salespeople apart, in their own words, without a script.
1:25 PM
1:55 PM
Break
Networking & Coffee Break
A structured opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and the Dakota team in a relaxed setting. Continue the conversations that started in the first session.
1:55 PM
3:20 PM
ALLOCATOR ACCESS
Allocator Interview Series — Session Two
Direct interviews with allocators from RIAs, family offices, foundations, banks, and consultants. They will share what captures their attention, what turns them off, and what genuinely sets the best salespeople apart, in their own words, without a script.
3:20 PM
3:50 PM
Break
Networking & Coffee Break
Second structured networking opportunity. Compare notes on what you heard in the morning sessions. Build relationships with the allocators and distribution leaders who will be in the room.
3:50 PM
5:15 PM
Allocator Access
Allocator Interview Series — Session Three
Direct interviews with allocators from RIAs, family offices, foundations, banks, and consultants. They will share what captures their attention, what turns them off, and what genuinely sets the best salespeople apart, in their own words, without a script.
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
Reception
Dakota Cocktails — Pier 60 Closing Reception
Wrap up the day with drinks, conversation, and views of the Hudson River from one of New York's most iconic event spaces. Continue the day's conversations in a relaxed setting, and build the relationships that matter most.

18 Allocators & Distribution Leaders. One Room. One Day.

Every speaker is an active practitioner, CIOs, investment directors, senior allocators, and distribution leaders from across the RIA, family office, foundation, consultant, and institutional channel.

 
Jon Henshue
Johnson Financial Group
VP Director, Alternatives Strategy
 
Angela Williams
CIBC Private Wealth
Senior Vice President
 
Jen DeSisto
CW Advisors
Chief Investment Officer
 
Jack Mahoney
Simon Quick
Managing Director & Client Advisor
 
Pier Friend
Focus Partners Wealth
Co-Head of Investment Research
 
 
Margaret Belmondo
NEPC
Partner & Public Fund Team Leader
 
Andrew Krei
Crescent Grove Advisors
Co-Chief Investment Officer
 
Carolyn Patton
TIFF
MD, Head of Private Market Client Solutions
 
Jim Dunn
Verger
Chief Executive Officer
 
Chris Winiarz
Stable Asset Management
Chief Investment Officer
 
Rob Noe
Wilshire Associates
Managing Director
 
Greg Stumm
American Beacon
President & CEO
 
Paul Cavazos
American Beacon
CIO & Senior Vice President
 
Michael Fredericks
Riskbridge Advisors
Head of Multi-Asset, Senior PM
 
Gildas Quinquis
Windrose Advisors
Partner and CIO
 
Will Repath
Truist
Managing Director, Private Capital

Pier 60, Chelsea Piers — New York City

Pier 60, Chelsea Piers
One of New York City's most iconic waterfront event venues, with panoramic views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. An environment that matches the caliber of the conversations happening inside it.
Location & Access
Chelsea Piers, West 23rd Street, New York City. Accessible from all major Manhattan transit hubs. Nearby hotels include The High Line Hotel, 1 Hotel Manhattan, and The Standard.
Evening Reception
The Dakota Cocktails closing reception runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on the pier, a two-hour opportunity to continue conversations with allocators and fellow attendees in one of the most memorable settings in New York.

Save Your Seat

Late registration pricing of $995 applies through May 17th. Both tiers include full conference access, all sessions, networking receptions, meals, and the Dakota Cocktails evening reception.

Register Now at events.dakota.com →