For 100 years, MDRT has been instrumental in helping financial services professionals be grounded in ethics, driven by innovation and committed to client-service excellence.
As MDRT celebrates a century of progress, it remains committed to guiding the future of the profession and empowering those who drive it forward.
Since its inception, MDRT has been committed to high standards, the exchange of ideas and industry innovation.
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On October 13, 1927, 32 life insurance professionals, each having sold at least USD 1 million of life insurance, met at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, to form MDRT. Led by Paul F. Clark, CLU, they created an organization built on ethics, excellence, collaboration and idea sharing.
As MDRT became a permanent association in 1928, it established its first Executive Committee to provide ongoing leadership and governance. Originally structured as a three-member body, the committee expanded to five members in 1943. In 1964, the leadership title changed from Chairman to President.
In 1930, MDRT welcomed its first Canadian members and first non-North American members from Australia and England. In 1931, the first Japanese members joined and attended the Annual Meeting, helping launch MDRT’s journey to becoming a global community.
Inspired by 1956 MDRT President Arthur F. Priebe, CLU, who directed a corporate gift in his honor to support communities, the 1959 Executive Committee created the MDRT Foundation to formalize members’ commitment to giving through charities worldwide.
At the 1961 MDRT Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Mortimer Adler introduced what would become known as MDRT’s Whole Person concept. It teaches that true success requires balance across seven key areas of life, making personal growth and fulfillment a lifelong pursuit.
MDRT established Top of the Table in 1977 as its highest membership level. The first Top of the Table Annual Meeting created a forum for top producers to inspire excellence. Today, Top of the Table members qualify at six times the MDRT requirement. Court of the Table was established in 1984.
From the first MDRT Experience in Singapore in 1998, which brought an MDRT meeting to Asia, to today's MDRT Global Conference, MDRT has connected, educated and inspired financial professionals while expanding its worldwide community of excellence.
With the launch of mdrt.org in 1998, MDRT established its first online presence, giving members access to organizational news, meeting information and resources. The site drove MDRT’s digital evolution and laid the foundation for today’s global learning, networking and member services.
In 2017, MDRT launched the MDRT Academy, creating a pathway for aspiring professionals to achieve MDRT membership. MDRT expanded further in 2021 with MDRT Global Services, rebranded in 2023 as the MDRT Center for Field Leadership, supporting efforts to build excellence and grow successful teams.
In early 2026, MDRT introduced ChatMDRT, an AI-powered assistant that connects members to trusted MDRT expertise in real time. Built on MDRT knowledge — not the open internet — it provides personalized support, business insights and member resources in more than 150 languages.
Explore the exhibits below for glimpses into MDRT’s vibrant history.
Attend the 2027 MDRT Annual Meeting or MDRT Global Conference to see more items in person.
Round the Table magazine began as a four-page, black-and-white newsletter in 1960 and evolved into a magazine in 1975. Today, it is a full-color publication issued six times per year, featuring sales ideas, practice management strategies, technology updates, business solutions and MDRT news.
As Executive Committee members complete their service, they are presented with a Past President jacket. Originally blue, it featured a special emblem: King Arthur’s helmet, the MDRT insignia, the Book of Knowledge, Aladdin’s lamp, and a crown symbolizing leadership and the MDRT presidency.
MDRT's “FamilyTime: A Revolutionary Old Idea” promoted the belief that professional success should be balanced with strong family relationships and personal well-being. The initiative gained national visibility via a televised Liberty Bowl football halftime program and was later revived in 2005 with a FamilyTime DVD.
Since the 1940s, MDRT members have supported the on-site meeting experience, a role formalized under the Program General Arrangements (PGA) name in 1957. PGA service helps members build relationships and leadership skills, while volunteers are recognized by distinctive pins and buttons.
Prior to 1956, Annual Meeting attendees received commemorative gifts presented by the company of the sitting MDRT President. These tokens honored the President’s leadership and reflected their company’s support of MDRT. The items displayed here are rare surviving examples of this tradition.
The 1967 Annual Meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, was a landmark event, as it was MDRT’s first meeting held outside North America. This was a significant step in MDRT’s evolution from a predominantly U.S.-based association into a global organization.
The 1956 and 1963 Annual Meetings were aboard the MS Kungsholm, a luxury ocean liner. These five-day trips left New York and sailed to Bermuda. By combining professional development, networking and travel, these meetings became among the most distinctive events in MDRT history.
New videos will be added throughout the year, so be sure to come back and browse.
February 9, 2026 - MDRT celebrates 100 years of helping financial services professionals grow through ethics, excellence and global idea sharing.
September 16, 2026 - MDRT membership and the MDRT logo serves as a symbol of strength and credibility for the financial services profession.
October 12, 2026 - MDRT financial advisors use intentional calendars, protected personal time and MDRT’s Whole Person concept to achieve work-life balance while maintaining professional success.
The MDRT Annual Meeting, MDRT Global Conference and exclusive regional events connect members with industry insights. Ongoing virtual learning — including webinars, study groups, and book clubs — keeps members motivated and inspired.
Exclusive access to a searchable, filterable MDRT Member Directory makes it easy for members to connect with other top industry professionals and exchange client referrals by specialty and location. Build authentic relationships with others who openly share business strategies to help get ahead.
Content personalized to professional development interests and career stage is available in the format of choice: web, podcast, print or video.
Answer: The first meeting of the Million Dollar Round Table was held on October 13, 1927, during the National Association of Life Underwriters meeting at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Thirty-two of the industry's top life insurance professionals — each having sold at least USD 1 million of life insurance — gathered to establish an organization dedicated to exceptional production, ethical conduct and the exchange of ideas. Chaired by Paul F. Clark, CLU, the meeting laid the foundation for a culture of collaboration and generosity, built on the belief that sharing knowledge and experience would elevate both individual success and the profession as a whole.
Answer: While it’s difficult to imagine what the next 100 years are going to look like, we do know that MDRT’s mission and commitment remain clear. As The Premier Association of Financial Advisors®, MDRT will continue to represent the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business, shaping the global profession’s future and empowering the leaders who drive it forward.
MDRT will do this by expanding how financial advisors access world-class education, insights and professional development through innovative digital experiences. MDRT will continue to invest in resources like MDRT Learn, a unified learning ecosystem that combines content from MDRT meetings with self-paced online courses, and ChatMDRT, an AI-powered knowledge assistant that delivers trusted insights from MDRT's exclusive library in more than 150 languages. Together, these resources help advisors find relevant guidance, strengthen their practices and continue learning throughout every stage of their careers.
These are just two examples of MDRT’s ongoing investment in cutting-edge technology, practical resources and innovative learning experiences that meet members wherever they are and however they prefer to learn.
MDRT also remains committed to bringing financial advisors together through world-class events that foster learning, collaboration and professional growth. Whether at the MDRT Annual Meeting, Global Conference or regional events, members gain valuable insights while building lasting relationships with their global community.
In other words, MDRT will remain Always Ahead. Always Together. for the next 100 years and beyond.
| Year | President | Annual Meeting Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | *Paul F. Clark, CLU, John Hancock | Meeting at the Peabody, Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| 1928 | *William M. Duff, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at the Book-Cadillac, Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| 1929 | *George E. Lackey, CLU, MassMutual | Meeting at the Mayflower, Washington, D.C., USA |
| 1930 | *Earl G. Manning, John Hancock | Meeting at the Royal York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 1931 | *Theodore M. Riehle, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at the William Penn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 1932 | *Robert A. Brown, Pacific Mutual | Meeting at The Fairmont, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 1933 | *M.J. Donnelly, Equitable-New York | Meeting at The Stevens, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 1934 | *Thomas M. Scott, Penn Mutual | Meeting at The Schroeder, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| 1935 | *Caleb R. Smith, MassMutual | Meeting at The Savery, Des Moines, Iowa, USA |
| 1936 | *Harry T. Wright, Equitable-New York | Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| 1937 | *Grant Taggart, California-Western States | Meeting at the Brown Palace, Denver, Colorado, USA |
| 1938 | *Jack Lauer, Penn Mutual | Meeting at The Rice, Houston, Texas, USA |
| 1939 | *Paul C. Sanborn, Connecticut Mutual | Meeting at The Jefferson, St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| 1940 | *Harry G. Mosler, MassMutual | Meeting at the Bellevue-Stratford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 1941 | *H. Kennedy Nickell, CLU, Connecticut General | Meeting at the Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| 1942 | *Robert P. Burroughs, National Life-Vermont | No meeting due to war. |
| 1943 | *Ron Stever, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at the William Penn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 1944 | *A.J. Ostheimer III, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at The Statler, Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| 1945 | *John E. Clayton, MassMutual | No meeting due to war. |
| 1946 | *Louis Behr, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at French Lick Springs, French Lick, Indiana, USA |
| 1947 | *Harold S. Parsons, The Travelers | Meeting at the New Ocean House, Swampscott, Massachusetts, USA |
| 1948 | *Paul H. Dunnavan, CLU, Canada Life | Meeting at French Lick Springs, French Lick, Indiana, USA |
| 1949 | *Paul W. Cook, CLU, Mutual Benefit Life | Meeting at the Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| 1950 | *Theodore Widing, CLU, Provident Mutual | Meeting at Haddon Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA |
| 1951 | *John O. Todd, CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at the Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, California, USA |
| 1952 | *Walter N. Hiller, CLU, Penn Mutual | Meeting at the Mount Washington, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA |
| 1953 | *William T. Earls, CLU, Mutual Benefit Life | Meeting at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA |
| 1954 | *G. Nolan Bearden, New England Life | Meeting at the Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, California, USA |
| 1955 | *George B. Byrnes, CLU, New England Life | Meeting at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA |
| 1956 | *Arthur F. Priebe, CLU, Penn Mutual | Meeting on the Kungsholm to Bermuda |
| 1957 | *Howard D. Goldman, CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA |
| 1958 | *William D. Davidson, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at the Banff Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada |
| 1959 | *Adon N. Smith II, CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at the Americana, Bal Harbour, Florida, USA |
| 1960 | *Robert S. Albritton, CLU, Provident Mutual | Meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| 1961 | *James B. Irvine Jr., CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at the Americana, Bal Harbour, Florida, USA |
| 1962 | *Lester A. Rosen, CLU, Union Central | Meeting at The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| 1963 | *Daniel H. Coakley, New York Life | Meeting on the Kungsholm to Bermuda |
| 1964 | *Alfred J. Lewallen, CLU, Mutual Benefit Life | Meeting at The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida, USA |
| 1965 | *Iram H. Brewster, Phoenix Mutual | Meeting at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA |
| 1966 | *Donald Shepherd, John Hancock | Meeting at the Statler Hilton, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| 1967 | *Frank E. Sullivan, CLU, Mutual Benefit Life | Meeting at Congress Hall, Lucerne, Switzerland |
| 1968 | *Sadler Hayes, Penn Mutual | Meeting at the Masonic Memorial Temple, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 1969 | *Stanley S. Watts, CLU, Equitable-New York | Meeting at The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida, USA |
| 1970 | *John H. Ames, CLU, Mutual Benefit Life | Meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| 1971 | *Richard G. Bowers, CLU, New York Life | Meeting at The Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C., USA |
| 1972 | *James B. Longley, CLU, New England Life | Meeting at The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| 1973 | *Henry F. McCamish Jr., CLU, MassMutual | Meeting at The Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington, USA |
| 1974 | *C. Robinson Fish III, CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida, USA |
| 1975 | *Jack Peckinpaugh, CLU, ChFC, Indianapolis Life | Meeting at the Masonic Memorial Temple, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 1976 | *Rulon E. Rasmussen, CLU, New York Life | Meeting at The Hynes Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| 1977 | *Marshall I. Wolper, CLU, Equitable | Meeting at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 1978 | *Jack L. McKewen, CLU, Fidelity Mutual | Meeting at the Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| 1979 | *Paul L. Oliver Jr., CLU, Prudential of America | Meeting at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 1980 | *Millard J. Grauer, CLU, Equitable | Meeting at The Rivergate, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| 1981 | *Clune J. Walsh Jr., CLU, Walsh Financial Group | Meeting at Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, USA |
| 1982 | *Stanley Liss, CLU, New York Life | Meeting at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 1983 | Jack B. Turner, CLU, ChFC, Jack B. Turner and Associates | Meeting at the Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, USA |
| 1984 | *Paul R. Buckley, CLU, The Buckley Group | Meeting at Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, USA |
| 1985 | *Ron D. Barbaro, North American Life, Toronto | Meeting at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 1986 | *Frank Friedler Jr., CLU, Home Life | Meeting at the Orange County Convention/Civic Center, Orlando, Florida, USA |
| 1987 | *Wilmer S. Poynor III, CLU, ChFC, New York Life | Meeting at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 1988 | Arlen I. Prentice, CLU, ChFC, Kibble and Prentice | Meeting at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 1989 | *G. Carey Hauenstein, CLU, State Mutual of America | Meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 1990 | *David H. Hilton, CLU, ChFC, Northwestern Mutual Life | Meeting at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 1991 | *Seymour Petrovsky, CLU, Business Men’s Assurance | Meeting at the New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| 1992 | William T. O’Donnell, Schwarz Brothers Benefits | Meeting at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 1993 | Charles D. Marks, CLU, ChFC, Prudential of America | Meeting at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| 1994 | *Lyle L. Blessman, The Blessman Group | Meeting at the Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, USA |
| 1995 | Robert B. Plybon, CLU, ChFC, Plybon & Associates | Meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 1996 | Walter G. Schnee III, Phoenix Life | Meeting at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, USA |
| 1997 | John W. Cruikshank III, CLU, Northwestern Mutual | Meeting at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 1998 | Gene L. Mahn, CLU, ChFC, MassMutual | Meeting at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 1999 | *Reginald N. Rabjohns, CLU, ChFC, Secure Futures | Meeting at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| 2000 | Brian H. Ashe, CLU, Brian Ashe & Associates | Meeting at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA |
| 2001 | Tony Gordon, Independent, Bristol | Meeting at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada |
| 2002 | *Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, Feldman Financial Group | Meeting at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| 2003 | *Richard H. Sullenger, The Sullenger Financial Group | Meeting at Paris and Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| 2004 | George B. Pickett, J.D., CLU, Pickett Bradford & Associates | Meeting at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, USA |
| 2005 | Adelia C. Chung, CLU, ChFC, Spectrum Wealth Management LLC | Meeting at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| 2006 | Stephen O. Rothschild, CLU, ChFC, Rothschild & Sale | Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA |
| 2007 | Philip E. Harriman, CLU, ChFC, Lebel and Harriman LLP | Meeting at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado, USA |
| 2008 | James E. Rogers, CLU, CFP, James E. Rogers Ltd. | Meeting at the Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 2009 | Walton W. Rogers, CLU, ChFC, W. Rogers and Associates | Meeting at Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| 2010 | Guy E. Baker, MSFS, Ph.D., BMI Consulting | Meeting at Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| 2011 | Julian H. Good Jr., CLU, ChFC, Good Financial Group LLC | Meeting at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 2012 | Jennifer A. Borislow, CLU, Borislow Insurance Agency | Meeting at Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, USA |
| 2013 | D. Scott Brennan, The Brennan Group, LLC | Meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 2014 | Michelle L. Hoesly, CLU, ChFC, Resource 1 Inc. | Meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 2015 | Caroline A. Banks, FPFS, Caroline Banks & Associates Ltd. | Meeting at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| 2016 | Brian D. Heckert, CLU, ChFC, Financial Solutions Midwest LLC | Meeting at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| 2017 | Mark J. Hanna, CLU, ChFC, Hanna Insurance & Financial Solutions Inc | Meeting at Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, USA |
| 2018 | James D. Pittman, CLU, CFP, Insurance Consulting Services Inc. | Meeting at Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| 2019 | Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, Rothgard Financial Partners | Meeting at Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA |
| 2020 | Regina Bedoya, CLU, ChFC, RB Financial Advisors | Virtual meeting |
| 2021 | Ian Green, Dip PFS, Green Financial Advice | Virtual meeting |
| 2022 | Randy L. Scritchfield, CFP, LUTCF, Montgomery Financial Group | Meeting at The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| 2023 | Peggy Tsai, RFP, Shin Kong Life Insurance Co. | Meeting at Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| 2024 | Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC, Affinity Investment Group | Meeting at Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| 2025 | Carol Kheng, ChFC, Prudential Assurance Company Singapore | Meeting at Miami Beach Convention Centre, Miami Beach, Florida, USA |
*Deceased
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