Bogleheads® Conferences

Day-to-day contact between Bogleheads® occurs online. However, some members take advantage of the social opportunities presented by national Bogleheads® Conferences and/or local meetings. Over the years, there has been significant growth in both types of events. John Bogle has attended all but one of the national meetings, the first of which (ultimately named Diehards I) occurred in Miami, Florida on March 10 - 11, 2000. In 2007, in honor and recognition of Mr. Bogle, and in acknowledgment of the forum community's shift to bogleheads.org., the reunion name was rechristened "Bogleheads" and the roman numeral designation was exchanged for common arabic numbers.

The conference was held at various venues across the United States from 2000 through 2009. Beginning in 2010 the conference has been held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, primarily due to a consideration of Mr. Bogle's advancing age and general health. A secondary effect of the Philadelphia setting is that the Vanguard Group has hosted a series of visits where conference attendees can see the Vanguard campus and enjoy presentations by Vanguard managers and staff.

National meetings
Upcoming conference dates are announced in the Bogleheads forum; which usually occurs early in the year. Conference attendance is limited to approximately 200 attendees as a means of assuring that attendees get a chance to interact with John Bogle and the various authors and experts in attendance, rather than forgoing such intimacy by sponsoring a larger, impersonal gathering.

The conference, by tradition, spans three days and, in its current format, roughly adheres to the following agenda. The first day begins with a check-in followed by a wine and cheese reception in the afternoon. Day two begins in the morning, after breakfast, with John Bogle delivering a keynote address. Following his presentation, Bogle is joined by Dr. Bill Bernstein for a “Fireside Chat”, followed by a Question & Answer session with a Panel of Experts. After lunch, there is a session of book signings and personal discussions. Usually the book signing session is paired with a simultaneous breakout session and an ongoing wiki demonstration. The Vanguard visit takes place during the evening. The third day usually begins with a presentation, followed by an extensive Question & Answer session with John Bogle.

Recent third day presentations have included the introduction of academic papers and presentations from George "Gus" Sauter.

Archive
Conferences are attended by members who provide photographic and video services to the meetings. In addition, Morningstar records video interviews with John Bogle, and on occasion, other conference attendees. News journal columnists and reporters often write articles about the conferences, and impressions and notes are recorded in blog and forum postings. These mementos are preserved in the conference archives below.

Diehards I - Miami
The initial meeting between John Bogle and members of the Morningstar Diehards forum occurred on March 10, 2000 while Mr. Bogle was in Miami, Florida as the scheduled keynote speaker at the Miami Herald’s Making Money Seminar. Mr. Bogle joined twenty forum members for an evening Florida dinner hosted by future author Taylor Larimore and wife at the Larimore's condo residence in Miami.

On March 11, Mr. Bogle delivered his keynote speech at the money show.

Diehards II - Pennsylvania
The 2001 Diehards meeting was hosted by the Kirtland family on the Kirtland family farm in southeast Pennsylvania. After check-in on Friday, June 8, attendees gathered for an evening dinner where special guest, financial columnist Jason Zweig gave a presentation and answered questions. On Saturday morning, John Bogle and staff provided attendees with a guided tour of Vanguard facilities, along with a Q&A session with Mr. Bogle. The meeting was capped off by a picnic barbeque luncheon on the Kirtland farm.

Diehards III - Chicago
The 2002 Conference was hosted by Morningstar and coincided with the annual Morningstar conference, where John Bogle was slated to speak. The first day reception was prolonged by inclement weather, but was leavened by Mr. Bogle's presence and his hour-long impromptu Q&A session with arriving guests.

Day two of the conference began with Mr. Bogle's address, The Telltale Chart. After a brief interlude with the media, the conference continued with a panel discussion and Q&A with John Bogle, Dr. Bill Bernstein, Larry Swedroe, and Don Phillips, one of Morningstar's managing directors. After the panel discussion, there was a book signing session. The day concluded with an evening banquet.

On day three Morningstar CEO Joe Mansueto and Morningstar staff led attendees on a tour of Morningstar facilities. The tour was capped off by a luncheon at the Morningstar lunch room, an outdoor patio overlooking downtown Chicago.

Diehards IV - Denver
The 2004 Conference took place at the AIMR Group conference in Denver Colorado, where John Bogle was scheduled to make a speech. The conference began with a Sunday evening check-in. Monday morning, Mr. Bogle addressed the AIMR Group with his speech, Creating Sound Governance: The Shareholder’s Perspective, wherein he discussed corporate governance. After lunch there was a book signing session and a Q&A session with a panel that included Mr. Bogle, Dr. Bill Bernstein, and Rick Ferri. In the evening a banquet dinner concluded the conference.

Diehards V - Las Vegas
The 2006 Conference took place as part of the Las Vegas Money Show, where John Bogle was scheduled to speak. Day one of the conference began on May 15 with a check in shortly after noon. After the opening Money Show ceremonies, John Bogle delivered his address, "What’s Ahead for Stocks and Bonds—And How to Earn Your Fair Share". The day concluded with an evening banquet.

The second day of the conference began with a morning book signing session, followed by a Q&A session with Mr. Bogle. The conference concluded with a Q&A with a panel consisting of authors Rick Ferri, Michael LeBoeuf, Mel Lindauer, and Bill Schultheis.--Diehards V announcement

Diehards VI - Alexandria, VA
The 2007 Conference was hosted with the help of members from the DC Bogleheads® local chapter. The conference started with a wine and cheese reception on the afternoon of June 10. The following morning John Bogle made an opening presentation and discussed asset allocation, international investments and Vanguard. A Q&A session with Mr. Bogle ensued. A book signing session filled up the remainder of the afternoon. The evening concluded with a "fireside chat" session with Mr. Bogle and Dr. Bill Bernstein and an evening dinner.

The conference concluded on Tuesday morning with a Q&A session with a panel that included authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Michael LeBoeuf, Mel Lindauer, Taylor Larimore, and Laura Dogu. The panel was also included Morningstar's Sue Stevens and Duke economics professor Ed Tower. -- Diehards VI announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 7 - San Diego
The 2008 Conference was hosted with the help of members from the San Diego Bogleheads® local chapter. The conference began on Monday September 22 with an afternoon wine and cheese reception. On Tuesday morning John Bogle delivered his presentation. He discussed the economy and markets, Vanguard, some personal reflections, and his most recent book, Enough. A Q&A session occurred after the presentation. A "fireside chat" between Mr. Bogle and Dr. Bill Bernstein followed the Q&A. After lunch there was a book signing session. The evening was filled with a banquet dinner.

Wednesday morning concluded the conference with a Q&A session with a Panel of Experts. The panel included authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Taylor Larimore, Michael LeBoeuf, Mel Lindauer, Laura Dogu and Bill Schultheis. The authors were joined by Morningstar's Sue Stevens and Professor Ed Tower of Duke University. -- Bogleheads&reg; 7 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 8 - Fort Worth
Illness and hospitalization forced John Bogle to miss the 2009 Fort Worth conference, hosted with the help of members of the Dallas/Fort Worth Bogleheads® local chapter. The conference began on Wednesday September 30 with an afternoon wine and cheese reception, where a letter from Mr. Bogle was read. After breakfast on Thursday morning, a call was made to Mr. Bogle. Afterward, Bogle's assistant, Kevin Laughlin made a brief presentation on the tenth anniversary of the publication of Bogle's book, Common Sense on Mutual Funds. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Bill Bernstein centered on bond performance during the 2008 -2009 financial crisis. After lunch there was a book signing session.

On Friday, after breakfast, Duke economics professor Ed Tower presented a paper, Vanguard versus DFA & WisdomTree, and the Value Added by Dan Wiener. After the presentation, Dr. Tower joined Morningstar's Sue Stevens and authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer and Laura Dogu on a Panel of Experts for a Q&A session. -- Bogleheads&reg; 8 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 9 - Philadelphia
The 2010 Conference, and all subsequent Philadelphia conferences, are set in Philadelphia. The 2010 Convention began on Wednesday October 13 with an afternoon wine and cheese reception with John Bogle. After breakfast on Thursday morning, John Bogle presented a keynote address, "Bogle Welcomes the Bogleheads", followed by an extended Q&A session. Bogle and Dr. Bill Bernstein then had a "fireside chat". After lunch, there was a book signing session. The evening was filled with a visit to Vanguard, where conference attendees had a Q&A session with Vanguard senior staff.

Friday concluded with a Q&A session with the Panel of Experts: authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Bill Schultheis, Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer and Laura Dogu, along with Professor Ed Tower of Duke University’s Economics Department.

At this conference, John C. (Jack) Bogle authorized the set up of a non-profit organization to expand and carry on his work. The culmination of this effort was the establishment of The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy. --Bogleheads&reg; 9 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 10 - Philadelphia
The 2011 Conference started on Wednesday October 12 with registration and an afternoon wine and cheese reception with John Bogle. After breakfast on Thursday morning, the day's events began with presentations by Duke professor Ed Tower, who presented a new paper,“Reflections on Jack Bogle’s First Mutual Fund,” and John Bogle, "Bogle Welcomes the Bogleheads Again... at X!", followed by an extended Q&A session with Mr. Bogle. After lunch, the day continued with book signings. An evening visit to Vanguard concluded Thursday's proceedings. The main feature of the visit was a panel discussion among Vanguard senior staff.

On Friday after breakfast, the conference concluded with a "fireside chat" with John Bogle and Dr. Bill Bernstein, followed by a Q&A session with the Panel of Experts: authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Bill Schultheis, Allan Roth, Mel Lindauer and Laura Dogu. -- Bogleheads&reg; 10 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 11 - Philadelphia
The 2012 Conference began on Wednesday October 17 with registration and a wine and cheese reception with John Bogle in the afternoon. After breakfast on Thursday morning, John Bogle and Dr. Bill Bernstein had a "fireside chat", followed by a Bogle presentation, "Bogle Meets the Bogleheads— The Rouser Meets the Rabble". Next came an extended Q&A session with John Bogle. After lunch, there was a book signing session. Duke professor Ed Tower presented a paper on Vanguard performance. The evening was capped by a visit to Vanguard, where conference attendees had a Q&A session with senior Vanguard staff.

Friday after breakfast, the conference received a presentation from Vanguard chief economist, Joseph Davis, and concluded with a Q&A session with the Panel of Experts: authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Bill Schultheis, Allan Roth, Christine Benz, Mel Lindauer and Laura Dogu. -- Bogleheads® 11 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 12 - Philadelphia
The 2013 Conference began on October 16 with check-in followed by a wine and cheese reception with John Bogle on Wednesday afternoon. After breakfast on Thursday morning, Mr. Bogle gave his keynote presentation and was joined by Dr. Bill Bernstein for a "fireside chat". This was followed by an extended Q&A session. After lunch, there was a book signing session. Duke professor, Ed Tower distributed an update on his paper introduced at the 2012 conference. An evening visit to Vanguard capped the day's proceedings.

On Friday, Gus Sauter, the recently-retired Chief Investment Officer of Vanguard, joined authors Christine Benz, Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Mel Lindauer, Mike Piper, Allan Roth, Bill Schultheis, Laura Dogu on the Panel of Experts for a Q&A session.-- Bogleheads® 12 Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 13 - Philadelphia
The 2014 Conference began with check-in followed by an afternoon wine and cheese reception on Wednesday October 22. After breakfast on Thursday morning, John Bogle presented a keynote address, “Human Beings and Algorithms" as Vanguard’s 41st Year Begins, followed by a "fireside chat" with Dr. Bill Bernstein and an extended Q&A session with Mr. Bogle. After lunch, a book signing session took place,along with a simultaneous breakout session on Boglehead Local Chapters and an ongoing wiki demonstration. The day concluded with an evening visit to Vanguard.

After breakfast on Friday, Gus Sauter, the former Chief Investment Office at Vanguard, gave a presentation on the evolution of indexing and than joined authors Christine Benz, Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Mel Lindauer, Mike Piper, Allan Roth, and Laura Dogu as panel members in the Q&A with the Experts. -- 2014 Bogleheads&reg; Conference announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 14 - Philadelphia
The 2015 Conference began on Wednesday October 15 with check-in followed by a wine and cheese reception in the afternoon. After breakfast on Thursday morning, John Bogle delivered his keynote address, "As My 65th Anniversary and 87th Birthday Approach, Still an Active Life", This was followed by a "fireside chat" with Dr. Bill Bernstein, and an extended Q&A session with John Bogle. After lunch came book signings and a simultaneous breakout session, as well as an ongoing wiki demonstration. The day culminated with an evening visit to Vanguard.

On Friday, Gus Sauter gave a presentation,"Expected equity returns", and then joined authors Christine Benz, Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Mel Lindauer, Mike Piper, and Allan Roth on the Experts Panel for a Q&A session. --2015 Bogleheads&reg; announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 15 - Philadelphia
The 2016 Conference began on Wednesday September 28 with check-in followed by a wine and cheese reception in the afternoon. On Thursday morning, after breakfast, John Bogle delivered a keynote address, "The Undisputed Champion of the Long Run", followed by an extended Q&A session. After lunch came a book signing session, with a simultaneous breakout session on taxes and investing, as well as an ongoing wiki demonstration. The day concluded with an evening visit to Vanguard consisting of panel discussions and an open question-and-answer session with Vanguard investment experts.

After breakfast on Friday, Gus Sauter gave a presentation, "What really is smart &beta;", and the event concluded with Q&A sessions with the Panel of Experts. Panel members included authors Christine Benz, Dr. Bill Bernstein, Laura Dogu, Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Mike Piper, and Allan Roth. -- 2016 Bogleheads&reg; announcement

Bogleheads&reg; 16 - Philadelphia
The 2017 Conference began on Wednesday afternoon October 19 with check-in followed by a wine and cheese reception. After a Thursday morning breakfast, John Bogle presented his keynote address, "Bogleheads XVI!". Following his presentation, Bogle was joined by Dr. Bill Bernstein for a 'fireside chat'. The Q&A session with the Panel of Experts followed. The panel members: authors Christine Benz, Dr. Bill Bernstein, Jonathan Clements, Mel Lindauer, Dr. Wade Pfau, Mike Piper, and Allan Roth. After lunch, attendees had book signings. Simultaneous to the book signing was a breakout session examining annuities and an ongoing wiki demonstration. A visit to Vanguard on Thursday evening concluded the day's events.

Friday's events included a presentation, "Understanding Active Investing", from Gus Sauter, the former Chief Investment Officer at Vanguard, followed by an extensive Q&A session with Jack Bogle. -- 2017 Bogleheads&reg; Conference announcement