In 2024, a record number of organizations sponsored STA because they view us as a unique and cost-effective resource. Our work to educate and advocate for the financial services industry has helped us to build a sizeable platform, with hundreds of industry professionals attending our in-person conference each year and over 33,000 more on our email list.

The coming year will bring forth important issues on both the regulatory and legislative fronts, including several that will impact our markets – from equity market structure reforms to continued discourse on 24-hour trading, digital assets, capital formation and beyond. There will also be the usual adjustment period that comes with a change in administration in the White House and a new Congress. STA will focus heavily on all these topics in 2025 – most visibly, at our flagship event.

On October 15-17, our 92nd Annual Market Structure Conference will return to Washington DC, with four levels of sponsorship available. While last year’s conference in Orlando provided an outstanding environment for focused industry content and experiential networking opportunities, returning to our nation’s capital and the familiar JW Marriott Washington DC will offer its own distinct benefits to attendees. In particular, we expect a strong presence from the regulators, policy analysts and DC media who play such crucial roles in defining the financial services landscape.

As you continue to develop your 2025 plans, we encourage you to reach out to us early – many of our sponsor benefits last the full calendar year! Want to learn more? Read on for five great reasons to join your industry colleagues and become an STA sponsor this year.

1. Professional Networking – STA events bring together bankers and buy-siders, vendors and regulators, politicians and nonprofit directors, and more. Being a sponsor guarantees that your team will have the opportunity to build relationships and discuss opportunities with people working in all aspects of financial services. In addition to our conference – which last year hosted over 600 attendees and nearly 250 firms – these opportunities often take the form of fun networking events, including happy hours, golf tournaments, ski trips and fundraisers.
   
   “For both personal and business reasons, STA events are always among the most anticipated dates on our calendar. Whether through discussing the latest issues impacting the markets, hosting social events or spending time on the golf course, STA has helped us build meaningful relationships that translate into real business opportunities. Every conversation feels like it could spark the next big idea.” – Jim Hyde, Senior Director ICE / NYSE Options – Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
   
   
2. Industry Education – Our events feature speakers who are well-respected in their field and experts at what they do. STA events serve as an educational resource for understanding the most pressing issues in the securities industry. Being a sponsor ensures your attendance at STA events, where critical conversations on the state of the industry occur. The knowledge you gain will help you make informed decisions for your business.
   
   “The caliber of speakers at STA events is unmatched. From regulatory developments to market trends, we always walk away with a better understanding of what’s happening in our industry, which helps us determine our next move.” – Adam Inzirillo, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Cboe Data Vantage, Cboe Global Markets
   
   
3. Brand Awareness – STA is a unique channel that can bring your marketing efforts to the next level. We offer a wide array of sponsorship and branding opportunities at all events, ranging from cocktail hours to charging stations to room drops with custom swag. We also produce a regular cadence of content via our monthly newsletter and other recurring features that highlight our sponsors, sent to our distribution list of over 34,000 subscribers.
   
   “Partnering with STA has provided a valuable boost to our visibility in the securities industry. Their team and partners are easy to work with, always offering creative ideas to ensure our brand stands out and makes a lasting impact. Our PureStream General Session-branded chairs at last year’s Market Structure Conference were a big hit!” – Armando Diaz, CEO, PureStream
   
   
4. Representation in DC – STA has long maintained a strong presence in Washington DC, engaging often with key regulators and policymakers. STA believes in principle-based rulemaking and advocates for policies that improve the marketplace and foster investor trust, market integrity and capital formation. STA has a direct relationship with the SEC, FINRA and other U.S. regulatory agencies. In addition, we have wide recognition among policymakers on Capitol Hill, working with partners such as DC law firm Williams & Jensen to maximize our reach. Becoming a sponsor means the opportunity to influence the direction of our engagement, contribute to numerous comment letters and more, strengthening our voice – and yours – where it matters most.
   
   
5. Industry Citizenship – In addition to aiding your firm and employees, the outcomes described above – relationships, education and advocacy – are vital to a well-functioning financial services ecosystem. In this way, sponsoring STA is a two-way street. Sponsors gain clear benefits, but they also take on the opportunity to give back, sharing their time and insights for the betterment of all industry participants. We offer a platform for firms seeking to be a positive contributor to industry conversations and make their mark.
   
   “Sponsoring STA isn’t just about what we gain – it’s about how we contribute to the industry at large. Over the years, many of us have benefited from STA’s networking events and educational content. We’ve also seen the impact of their work to support worthy charities. By supporting STA, we get a platform to help drive some of this positive change and give back to the industry in a meaningful way.” – Erica Attonito, Head of CMM Sales, Hudson River Trading

If you found one or more of these reasons compelling and would like to become an STA sponsor in 2025, please reach out to Dawn Combs, Head of Planning and Product Services, to learn more about sponsorship. On behalf of the entire STA Board of Governors, we look forward to partnering with you!