March 8, 2005, TO � Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, today announced that the national Advocis board of directors and the board of directors of GAMA International Canada have approved the incorporation of GAMA as a Conference of Advocis.
�Advocis is pleased to incorporate GAMA members into the Advocis family and looks forward to providing additional value to both membership groups,� noted Steve Howard, president and CEO, Advocis. �We are pleased to have found common ground with a like-minded group of professionals who subscribe to the value of designations and uphold standards of best practices.�
GAMA is a professional association exclusively for leaders in distribution management within the financial services industry. While GAMA operations will now be a part of Advocis, GAMA will continue to operate as a separate organization and will maintain its own board of directors and constitution.
�This represents an exciting new venture for GAMA as an association,� observed Michael Gau, GAMA president. �It allows us to continue to grow our membership and provide them with access to a broader range of educational products and services that will benefit the entire industry.�
For further information on the benefits of Advocis or GAMA memberships, please visit www.advocis.ca or www.gamacanada.com.
About Advocis (www.advocis.ca)
Advocis is the largest professional membership association of financial advisors in Canada. As a voluntary organization, Advocis is committed to professionalism among financial advisors. With more than 15,000 members organized across Canada into over 50 chapters, Advocis members provide financial and product advice to over 12 million Canadians across a variety of distinct areas, including: estate and retirement planning; wealth management; risk management; and tax planning.
ABOUT GAMA INTERNATIONAL CANADA (www.gamacanada.com)
GAMA International Canada is the only professional association exclusively for leaders in distribution management within the financial services industry. The Association provides professional development opportunities in the core areas of coaching and leadership, recruitment and selection, training and education, and business development. GAMA also offers the Chartered Management Professional (CMP) designation, the only program of its kind in Canada. Valuable networking opportunities are available through local and national events. GAMA is a Conference of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada.
