The Buzz

The terms "clients" and "client care" were heard everywhere and in every session. Almost as much as "Where's registration," and "When's lunch?"

Daniel Pink's presentation received high praise — and from one advisor in particular. "He mentioned that Google News and Gmail were the result of Google allowing its employees 20 percent of their time to create new businesses. That really resonated with me. I do 401(k)s, so I'm going to use that strategy to improve companies. It's a great sales tool that you can parley anywhere and can set you apart."

A slide depicting the 1,200-pound hog "Hogzilla" provided a shock-and-awe moment during Mary Carter'sYours, Mine and Ours Top Advisor session Tuesday. Seems the supersized hog was "discovered" by one of Carter's clients. Not sure just how it found its way into the session, but it did generate some gasps from the audience, with one suggesting that the animal deserves a home in the Smithsonian.

Overheard from one advisor during a technology session: "You can do everything with it (an iPad). If I had one I could practice intelligence."

Mark Smith's pitchbook presentation got high marks as well, prompting one advisor to say: "It was very inspiring and is on the Raymond James' website. I'm taking it back and applying it."

And then there was the Charlie Sheen look-alike appearing in a compliance session discussing detailed compliance rules. Now there's an oxymoron.