The Cook Islands recently showcased its wealth management expertise at the prestigious America Outbound Investment Summit, held on May 7th in Los Angeles and May 9th in San Francisco.
The Cook Islands played a prominent role at the invitation-only event, which connected wealthy individuals and advisors of high-net-worth American families with international providers of investment migration, real estate, tax planning, and wealth planning services.
The over 300 attendees included Independent Financial Advisors, Certified Financial Planners, Private Client Lawyers, Tax Planners, Wealth Managers, Estate Planners, and other professionals assisting Americans with cross-border tax and wealth planning issues.
Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority (operating as Cook Islands Finance) secured invaluable speaking slots, allowing Cook Islands trust company executives to feature as both guest speakers and panelists.
Tine Ponia, Managing Director of Asiaciti Trust Cook Islands, and Matthew Smith, General Manager of Southpac Group, represented the Cook Islands on stage, sharing their extensive knowledge and insight on Cook Islands trusts, wealth management and estate planning.
“Tine and Matthew brought considerable value to conference delegates, discussing the advantages of the Cook Islands trust products and jurisdiction,” said Tony Fe’ao, CEO at Cook Islands Finance.
“There was significant interest in the Cook Islands’ asset protection and wealth management solutions following their presentations, with Delegates at both Summit locations seeking more information about how our world-class trust laws could benefit their clients.”
“It was a privilege to represent and speak on behalf of Cook Islands Finance at the Outbound Investment Summits.” stated Smith, who continued on from the Summit to visit Southpac’s business partners in Orlando, Miami and Denver.
“These events offered a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic benefits the Cook Islands has to offer as a jurisdiction to a quality and interested audience – and one which had very little awareness of the Cook Islands beforehand. I believe Cook Islands Finance’s attendance at the summits will increase both business in and awareness of the jurisdiction.”
Ponia, who also continued on in the USA for strategic business and networking meetings, offered comments as both a trust company and a former Director on the Cook Islands Finance Board.
“The American Outbound summit was a worthwhile event to attend both from a company and jurisdiction’s perspective.”
“We had plenty of exposure from being on the panel discussions and presenting about the Cook Islands as a mature financial services jurisdiction.”
“A lot of interest on the Cook Islands financial services products was generated. I’m thankful for government’s support through Cook Islands Finance’s sponsorship and booth at the event.”
With the convergence of wealth from Latin America and high-net-worth individuals moving to the state of Florida, Cook Islands Finance will be promoting the Cook Islands financial services industry at the 13th Annual STEP Miami Summit in October.
