The financial industry has undergone major transformations in recent years. Access to different products has expanded, technology has brought investments to mobile phones, and customer relationships have become closer, more specialized, and more comprehensive.
At the same time, investing has ceased to be a matter restricted to specialists and has become part of the daily decisions of an increasing number of Brazilians.
Expert XP closely followed these changes. Created to bring market professionals and investors closer together, the event grew along with the sector, broadened the scope of its discussions, and established itself as the largest investment festival in the world.
The programming also evolved: debates about economics, businesses, and financial products began to share space with geopolitics, technology, and career, as well as reflections inspired by sports and entertainment – themes that, after all, help to understand the forces that influence the markets.
In 2026, Expert XP achieved unprecedented numbers in its history. Held between July 23 and 25 at São Paulo Expo, the 16th edition of the event received 64,000 participants, 14,000 more than the previous year.
Over the course of three days, approximately 350 speakers took turns in plenary sessions, thematic arenas, and experiential spaces. The program totaled more than 120 hours of debates, interviews, and meetings, with the participation of approximately 230 brands.
XP's 25th anniversary set the tone for the program, but the goal wasn't to look back. More than celebrating the journey so far, the discussions focused on the changes transforming the market and the challenges that should guide investment decisions in the coming years.
Guilherme Benchimol, founder and chairman of the board of XP Inc., and Thiago Maffra, the company's CEO, opened the meeting with a review of the trajectory built since 2001 and the priorities for the coming decades.
“The recognition of the success achieved by XP in these 25 years – something that can be seen in the growth of the event – and our goals and perspectives for the coming years were the messages with the greatest impact,” says Lisandro Lopez, CMO of XP Inc.
The guest list impressed not only with its names, but also with its diversity. Janet Yellen, former US Secretary of the Treasury, Niall Ferguson, a British historian specializing in economic and financial history, and Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State and former CIA director, discussed changes in the international economy and politics.
“It’s necessary to understand how the key minds occupying decision-making positions in the world think in order to anticipate market movements,” says Lopez. “Knowing the territories strengthens decision-making in an increasingly global and dynamic financial environment.”
Brazil's challenges were also highlighted at the event. Finance Minister Dario Durigan and Central Bank President Gabriel Galípolo discussed monetary policy, structural reforms, and the outlook for the economy.
Managers, entrepreneurs, and specialists completed the program with analyses of different asset classes and sectors, connecting major national issues to the choices faced daily by companies and investors.
Expert's repertoire went beyond economics and geopolitics. Former American tennis player Andre Agassi, winner of eight Grand Slam titles, and actor Will Smith, an Oscar winner, shared the lessons learned throughout their careers.
Sports provided some of the most inspiring conversations at the event. Brazilians João Fonseca, one of the leading rising stars in world tennis, and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a gold medalist at the Winter Olympics, spoke about high performance and the mental preparation required of those who compete at a high level.
“Having access to these people who are among the best in the world at what they do, who carry the name of Brazil to the world in a very positive way, and learning about the mindset that makes a champion is a privilege and was certainly an enriching discussion for everyone who followed it,” says Lopez.
One of the most popular moments at Expert brought together 20,000 people simultaneously – a festival record, surpassing the audience for Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2025. On stage, Will Smith spoke about entrepreneurship and the ability to start over in the face of adversity.
"They showed that success is not linear and that mistakes are part of the curriculum for champions," says Lopes.
Expert's evolution also extended to how the audience circulated and participated in the event. For the first time, business owners, investors, advisors, and other market professionals shared the three days of programming.
But opening up to different audiences didn't mean neglecting specialized training. One of the five stages at the plenary session was dedicated to investment advisors, with discussions on artificial intelligence, financial consulting, leadership, portfolio management, and client relations.
Among the new features of the 2026 edition of Expert, the Connection Space offered hands-on activities, while the new Experience Room hosted immersive presentations on LED panels. The sessions were packed, reinforcing the perception that, in a face-to-face event, the audience is not just looking for a series of lectures.
“It was a rich agenda, with worldviews from diverse industries, culminating in learning, networking, and culture,” says Lopez. In its largest edition, the festival showed that understanding the future of investments increasingly requires looking beyond them.
