At the official opening of the conference by chief executive Nick Cann and IFP president Marlene Shalton, delegates were awarded prestigious prizes.
The first prize was the Jonathon Timms award, named after a former IFP President, which was awarded to Linda Boynton from Rouse Ltd for achieving the highest case study mark.
Best Financial Planning of the Year student went to Bernadette Carey from Manchester Metropolitan University for her work on the case study as part of her undergraduate degree course.
The next prize was for David Norton 'Building Excellence' award which is presented to the firm judged to have outstanding potential to develop as a successful Financial Planning firm.
Nominations were judged by for IFP President Barry Horner CFP^CM, IFP operations director Steve Gazzard CFP^CM and Brett Davidson from Financial Planning consultants FP Advance.

The prize is named after former IFP president and one of the founders of the organisation, the late David Norton and was awarded to Cooper Parry Wealth Strategies.
Runners-up were Donald Asset Management and FortyTwo Wealth Management.
The final prize was for Paraplanner of the Year, in association with theparaplanner.com and AXA Wealth, which recognises the outstanding contribution of Paraplanners in the Financial Planning profession.
To win this prize, the Paraplanner must complete a technical and a written assessment as well as have a testimony from their employer.
This year there were 100 entries but Martyn Harrison from AXA Wealth who presented the award said the winner was unanimous.
The award was given to Paraplanner Jane Holt from Bury-based Mackenzie Financial Planning and Mr Harrison praised her anaytical skills and willingness to support the Paraplanning profession.
Two further awards, the Branch Chairman of the Year and the Tony Sellon Memorial Prize 'Good Egg' award, will be presented by IFP chief executive Nick Cann this afternoon.