Luminaries 2024 Nominations Are Now Open

What You Need to Know

The recognition program will accept nominations through July 17, with no cost to participate.
Four new awards categories have been introduced.
The awards program is now open to players in more segments of the financial services industry.

ThinkAdvisor’s pioneering recognition program — the Luminaries — is currently accepting nominations for our expanded list of 2024 awards, which are now open to more segments of the financial services industry.  

In its fourth year, the Luminaries awards will celebrate the achievements of top advisors, industry executives, RIAs, broker-dealers, asset and investment managers, technology providers and other financial services firms in the following categories:

Excellence in Marketing/PR Awards (Firms) — New
Industry Disruption (Firms) — New
M&A Leaders (Individuals with RIA Firms) — New
Next-Gen Rising Stars (Individuals) — New
Corporate Social Responsibility (Firms)
Executive Leadership (Individuals) 
Innovation (Firms)
Luminaries With Heart (Individuals) 
Thought Leadership and Education (Firms/Individuals)

Nominations for 2024 Luminaries awards are being accepted online through July 17, and there is no cost to participate. Finalists will be announced this summer, and winners will be honored on stage at Dec. 11 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

The 2024 Luminaries awards program features expanded recognition for financial service providers, such as insurance and retirement product firms, real estate investment firms, RIA support platforms, family offices and wholesalers. 

In addition, fims that offer advisor support services — in areas like compliance, trade conferences, marketing/PR, recruiting, research and trust — will be honored, along with more types of technology providers. 

“By prioritizing the recognition of achievements that transcend growth statistics and product popularity, the ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards program sets a new standard for excellence in the financial services sector,” said Scott Thompson, SVP Market Strategy and Events at ALM. 

The Program’s Focus

As in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the 2024 program and its related coverage will shine a spotlight on the quantitative and qualitative impacts that ThinkAdvisor Luminaries are making on the industry, for the advisors of today and tomorrow.

We will also highlight the bold steps the winners are taking to drive the wealth, investment and retirement industry forward in more dynamic and inclusive ways.

The program is not meant to emphasize asset levels or rankings — or the latest industry buzz. Rather, our awards and coverage of the winners ​will tell the stories of how top-performing industry participants are producing meaningful results in the areas that matter most to advisors.

The awards honor industry players that “aspire to greater heights of leadership, creativity and impact [through] a culture of continuous improvement and encourage the industry to embrace innovation and visionary thinking as essential components of success,” Thompson explained.

“ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards are … symbols of the industry’s collective commitment to pushing boundaries, driving positive change and shaping a brighter future for all,” he added.

Details on the Award Categories

The criteria of the award categories that our judges will use to evaluate nominations in 2024 are as follows: 

Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (Firms): In this category, formerly called Community Impact, we recognize firms that have shown exemplary commitment to philanthropy; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); environmental stewardship and other impactful initiatives.
Excellence in Marketing/PR Awards (Firms) — New: Celebrating the ingenuity and impact of digital campaigns, educational programs, public relations and social media campaigns that drive advisor growth and long-term success.
Executive Leadership Awards (Individuals): Honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, client service and innovation, serving as role models of industry excellence.
Industry Disruption Awards (Firms) — New: Highlighting firms that have reshaped existing markets or pioneered entirely new segments through innovative strategies, technologies, or business models.
Innovation Awards (Firms): Recognizing organizations that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and forward thinking through unique client programs or innovative approaches.
Luminaries With Heart Awards (Individuals): In this category, formerly called Community Impact, we celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions in philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, DEI, ESG, or other impactful endeavors, positively influencing communities on local, national and global scales.
M&A Leaders Awards (Individuals at RIA Firms) — New: Recognizing leaders in mergers and acquisitions within the RIA sector for their transformative contributions to the industry landscape.
Next-Gen Rising Stars Awards (Individuals) — New: Shining a spotlight on individuals who have made remarkable contributions to their organizations through innovative programs, products or services, driving outstanding results and shaping the future of the industry.
Thought Leadership & Education Award (Firms): Acknowledging firms that have advanced and widely shared new thinking and research in financial planning, retirement and related advisory services.
Thought Leadership Awards (Individuals): Recognizing individuals who have led their firms in pioneering new frameworks and approaches that redefine excellence and achievement in their respective areas.

Please send any questions about the Luminaries nominations process to [email protected]; for help with the awards portal, write to [email protected]. 

(Credit: Chris Nicholls/ALM)