From October 15–17, the Security Traders Association will return to the JW Marriott Washington DC for its 92nd Annual Market Structure Conference, themed Redefining the Market.
“The theme of this year’s conference reflects the extraordinary pace of change we’re seeing across the industry,” Jim Toes, President and CEO of STA, said, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and collaboration.
With developments such as 24-hour trading, tokenization, and rapidly shifting regulatory frameworks, Toes noted that the industry is entering a “pivotal moment of transformation”.
The program will explore how these developments are influencing trading behavior, investor access, and the broader regulatory landscape.
“As always, we aim to foster thoughtful, balanced dialogue across perspectives,” Toes told Traders Magazine.
Toes said that STA is honored to welcome a broad spectrum of voices to this year’s conference – including SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, Rep. Bryan Steil, who chairs the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence, and Rep. Bill Huizenga, Vice Chair of the House Financial Services Committee – each bringing valuable insight from regulatory, legislative, and market perspectives.
In addition, the program will also feature senior thought leaders from some of the largest market participants and policymaking bodies, ensuring a rich and multifaceted dialogue across the industry, he added.
According to Toes, the program will aim to cover both opportunities and challenges facing our market structure and the new innovations shaping the securities industry.
“We expect robust discussion around the implications of 24-hour trading, the growth of retail access, and the growing discussion surrounding the tokenization of securities,” he said.
On the regulatory side, topics such as transparency, best execution, and rule harmonization continue to be central to how the industry thinks about market quality, Toes said.
“We’ll also be examining how new technology and potential new rules are changing the way markets operate – and what that means for oversight and market resilience,” he added.
With over 800 industry professionals registered, STA looks forward to providing an environment for their attendees to share ideas and connect with peers.
“Our attendees know that relationships are the foundation of this business, which is why networking continues to hold equal importance with content,” Toes said.
“Whether it’s through networking receptions following content sessions, our annual Thursday Chairman’s Dinner, meetups with industry colleagues throughout the conference, or the panel discussions themselves, the event creates a valuable space for dialogue and collaboration across all corners of the industry,” he said.
The 10th Annual STA Women in Finance Symposium, considered as a significant milestone for the securities industry, will commence before the main conference program.
Launched in 2015, STA WIF has spent the past decade advocating for the unique career needs of women across the securities industry, championing inclusion and creating space for women to connect, learn and lead.
This year’s program will feature keynote speaker Georgie Dickins, Founder and CEO of Women in Leadership Global, and will honor Shelley Eleby, Chief Marketing Officer at Mosaic Platforms, as Mentor of the Year – both exemplary leaders whose careers and contributions reflect the spirit and strength of the WIF initiative.
“Reaching the 10-year milestone is a testament to the commitment of the STA Women in Finance community. Since its inception, STA WIF has helped elevate the visibility of women in our industry, while creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development,” Toes said.
“Over the past decade, WIF has grown from a single symposium into a year-round effort – one that’s supported by a deep bench of senior industry leaders committed to building a more inclusive and equitable marketplace,” he concluded.
