Conference Links

Step Into the Center of Expert Excellence at
SER’s Annual Member Meeting & Conference!

August 6-7, 2026

Washington D.C.
Take advantage of early bird rate until June 4th!

This year, SER members will return to The Sofitel Hotel in Washington, D.C. for the Annual Membership Meeting & Expert Conference.
Held over two days, SER’s signature event delivers fresh insights, industry perspective, and the expert‑to‑expert conversations you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a rising practitioner, it’s the place to elevate your expert witness practice and expand your professional network alongside colleagues and guest attorneys from across the country.

Ready to level up your practice? The SER Annual Expert Conference is where the best ideas — and the best experts — meet.

Overview

Location   SOFITEL HOTEL
806 15th St NW, Washington DC 20005,  (see details below)
Dates Thursday August 6th - Friday August 7th
 
Sessions Beginning with Lunch on Thursday and All Day Friday
(New Members and First Time Attendees, see Thursday Breakfast Invitation.)
Meals Included
 
Thursday: Lunch, Cocktail Reception and Dinner
Friday: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spouse/Guest
Activities
Friday Lunch and Local Tour for Registered Spouse/Guest
(details to follow)
Highlights! Agenda packed with Attorney Guest Speakers!
Thursday Breakfast for New Members and First Time Attendees!
Long break times to enhance networking opportunities!

Why Attend?

"The experience was beyond my expectations from the amount of knowledge I gained over the two days, how friendly and willing to share all of the members were as well as how all the networking sessions played out." James Karabas, Member 2023

"Attending the SER Conference is an investment in your career as an expert witness."  Bruce Foerster, Past President

FAQs

What is the dress code? Conference attire is business casual. We recommend business attire Thursday night's Reception & Dinner.

Where do members stay? Hotel reservations are a separate registration. SER has negotiated discounted room rates of $249 per night plus taxes at the Sofitel Hotel. Room block rates are based on availability and may sell out prior to the cutoff date of July 25, 2026. After this date, reservations will be confirmed on a space-available basis at the prevailing rate. Book Your Room under Venue & Lodging below.

What meals are included in the conference registration?  Thursday lunch, reception and dinner; Friday breakfast, lunch and off-site dinner. New Members and First-time attendees are invited to breakfast on Thursday. RSVP required.

What if I need to cancel my registration? Any cancellations received beforeJuly 16th will receive a refund of the full conference fee minus a $200 administrative fee. To receive a refund, a cancellation must be submitted in writing to controller@securitiesexpert.org. SER regrets that no refunds will be granted after July 16th. To cancel your hotel reservation, you will need to contact the hotel directly. Please note all hotel reservations must be cancelled within 72 hours of arrival; otherwise they will incur a cancellation fee of one night’s room and tax.

SEE RECAP FROM 2025

SEE ALL PAST CONFERENCES


2026 Moderators & Panelists

(click  photo/NAME for FULL bio)
 

GUEST SPEAKERS

 

RICHARD W. BERRY, Esq.

FINRA Dispute Resolution Services (FDRS)

Hon. Karen M. Cassidy

Superior Court Judge (Ret.)

Brice David

Round Table Group

David B. Kent, Esq.

Verdi & Ogletree

BENJAMIN R. OGLETREE, Esq.

Verdi & Ogletree

Daniel A. Schwager, Esq.

Verdi & Ogletree

Federico Temerlin

Analysis Group


MEMBER SPEAKERS & MODERATORS
 

jerry denigris

Riverside Financial Group
In-Coming SER President

Patrick M. Dennis, Esq.

Oyster Consulting, LLC
Current SER President
 

Colleen Diles

Diles Consulting
 

David Hinman

Hinman Capital Services, LLC.
 

PAVITHRA KUMAR

Advanced Analytical Consulting Group
 

Braden Perry, Esq.

Kennyhertz Perry
 

stu rosenthal

DamagesPro,
EvidenceReplay

 

 


Program / Agenda

See the Agenda


Sponsor / Advertise

Thank you to this year's current Sponsors!

PLATINUM

GOLD

Silver

Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities

SER’s Annual Conference brings together a uniquely qualified community of experts, attorneys, and industry partners. Sponsorship provides visibility across SER’s trusted national network and aligns your brand with an organization dedicated to elevating the quality and integrity of securities dispute resolution. Beyond the conference itself, sponsors are showcased throughout SER’s broader communications ecosystem, including our LinkedIn community and newsletter audience of engaged industry professionals.

Purchase a Sponsorship

Conference Registration Information

 

Registration
Early Bird
thru 6/4/26  
6/4/26-
thru 7/9/26  
     After       
 7/9/26
Member $1,425  $1,575  $1,725
Member & Spouse/Guest $2,050 $2,200 $2,350

Note: This is Member-Only Event. Non-Member Experts/Potential members can request a one-time invitation to attend for a $400 premium. If the potential member joins SER after the conference during the same calendar year, $200 will be applied to the current year membership fee.

Register Now

Early Registration Ends June 4th! Prices increase on June 5th and again on July 9th. 
 

Member Registration: The registered member fee includes participation in the annual membership meeting; all conference sessions; Thursday lunch, cocktail hour, and dinner; and Friday breakfast, lunch and off-site dinner!

Spouse/Guest Registration: The spouse/guest registration fee includes Thursday lunch, cocktail hour, dinner; Friday breakfast and off-site dinner. The fee does not include conference materials, attendance at any scheduled meetings or breaks or Friday lunch (see Spouse Lunch below). 

Spouse/Guest Lunch (Friday): A Friday event for spouse/guests to participate while members are in the conference sessions is in the planning. Details forthcoming.
 
Registration Deadline: Early registration deadline is JUNE 4, 2026. (see dates and price increases above).

Meeting Refund/Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received in writing on or before July 16, 2026, will receive a full refund less a $200 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after June 17, 2026If SER cancels the conference for any reason at any time, SER members who have paid the registration fee will receive a 100% refund.

Please note: Hotel/Lodging Reservations are a separate reservation from your conference registration. (CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO MAKING OVERNIGHT RESERVATIONS) Please see Lodging section
 
SER reserves the right to deny admission to any session to any individual for any reason.

Register Now

Conference Venue & Lodging

Sofitel Hotel

806 15th St NW, Washington DC 20005

"Nestled beside the serene Lafayette Square Park, our hotel is steps away from iconic landmarks like the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian museums. Offering a unique blend of Parisian elegance and historic charm, our art deco-inspired decor creates a timeless ambiance, inviting you to relax and indulge in the finer things. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, Sofitel Washington DC provides an exquisite setting where style and sophistication converge."

THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF ROOMS BLOCKED FOR THE CONFERENCE, AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. YOU MUST FIRST REGISTER AS AN ATTENDEE AT THE CONFERENCE. HOTEL RESERVATIONS WITHOUT A CONFERENCE REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE HELD.

Reserve Your Room

OVERNIGHT RESERVATION PROCESS: Once you have registered for the conference, reserve your overnight room by using these customized buttons to reserve online to ensure you receive the contracted rate. Please advise the hotel of any accessible room requirements as soon as possible so that they may endeavor to fulfill your specific needs. We encourage members to stay at the Sofitel as we have committed contractually to these rooms. It also makes for easy access to all events!

Reserve Your Room

RATES: Superior King $249 (Plus-City taxes and State/Provincial Hotel Room Tax are currently 15.95%.) 
$40 "daily urban experience fee" will be waived; Complimentary WiFi included in guest rooms and public spaces.

HOTEL CUTOFF DATE: A limited number of rooms have been blocked and availability is offered on a first come, first served basis. The cut-off date for accepting reservations into this room block is FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2026. Reservation requests exceeding the room block OR received after 5:00 PM local time at the Hotel on the cut-off date, will be accepted based on a space and rate available basis only. 

HOTEL CANCELLATION/EARLY DEPARTURE POLICY: Should you need to make changes or cancel your overnight room reservation, please contact the hotel at least 72 hours prior to the check-in time to avoid a cancellation fee of one night's room and tax. 
 
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT: Check-in time is 3:00PM. The hotel will make every effort to accommodate attendees arriving before the check-in time, however, rooms may not be immediately available. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. Requests to retain rooms beyond that hour should be directed to the Front Desk. If a late check-out is requested, a late departure charge may be applicable.
 
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING
 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND AMENITIES, PLEASE VISIT SOFITEL HOTEL WEBSITE.