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In recent years, financial literacy has turned from a buzzword into a reality in Singapore. Besides a slew of digital publishers and content creators, such as DollarsAndSense, regularly putting up relatable personal finance content, mega finance festivals have been a gamechanger when it comes to engaging people to learn more about investing and personal finance. Once perceived as dull and complex topics reserved only for those who are financially savvy or wealthy, finance festivals such as have made learning about investments and making financial plans mainstream. In fact, over 3,000 ordinary investors were willing to take time out of their weekend to attend the content-packed event on 6 July 2024 (Saturday). DollarsAndSense attended MooFest 2024 as a Media Partner, and we took the opportunity to film our first on-site podcasts with both industry experts and financial bloggers – stay tuned for that when it comes out. Personally, when I reached Suntec Convention Centre at around 9 am, I realised it was going to be a challenge to find the DollarsAndSense booth with the crowd that had already amassed! Taking the recent MooFest 2024 event as an example of how such finance festivals have captured public interest, here are 4 things ordinary investors can look forward to at such events. MooFest 2024 featured a diverse range of speakers, including renowned economists, industry experts, various finance brands, journalists and content creators and more. Many of the investors who attended the event were there to hear from this knowledgeable line-up of speakers and perhaps to meet them in person. Giving the Welcome Address was David Gerald, Founder, President & CEO of SIAS; while Song Seng Wun, Economic Advisor at CGS Securities and Shanison Lim were on other panel discussions during the day. Throughout the day, the content-packed event discussed a range of investment and financial topics – getting the insights of representatives from finance brands such as Singapore Exchange (SGX), Japan Exchange (JPX) and NASDAQ, State Street Global Advisors, Societe Generale, PIMCO, Fullerton Fund Management, CSOP, and more. Also in attendance were journalists and content creators from The Edge, Beansprout, BudgetBabe, Kelvin Learns Investing and, of course, DollarsAndSense! Both moomoo and the brands in attendance had many interesting booth concepts at MooFest 2024. These created a learning element in a fun and engaging game or interactive session at the various booths. No doubt, part of the plan was to ensure the attendees spent some time at all the booths as well. There was an ice cream vending machine and supermarket to impart investing lessons, and there were also fun games like catching the falling “knives” (or not to?). At the brand booths, there were not just marketing folks from the brands, but actually the industry experts who would be sharing on stage at some point in the day. This presented a great opportunity for attendees to speak to industry experts with deep insights at the booths. Of course, some of the influencers and journalists were walking around and could interact with the attendees by chance. Personally, I also got to meet some of my alumni at SIM’s Investment and Networking Club (INC) and Kelvin, from Kelvin Learns Investing. While the event was content-packed, there was also a good chance that attendees left with more than they had arrived with. While I didn’t manage to pick up any of the freebies, I saw many attendees leaving with a handful of attractive prizes. Throughout the day, there were giveaways (and it was so popular that one of them might have caused audio issues in a podcast recording we were doing at the same time!). Apart from moomoo merchandise, attendees could also win free stocks of Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Disney, Coca-Cola, Intel, Spotify and Futu (parent company of moomoo)! Also on offer was the chance to win an iPad, EMPIRE massage chair, iPhone and a Yacht trip. Moomoo also created a community page – for its community to share images and thoughts on the event. Those who did so were also able to redeem freebies at the event. Snooping on this , I saw some moomoo users posting their stash! Attending a physical finance event has become so much more than just sitting in a seminar hall and listening to a well-informed investment professional talk about an important topic. Mega finance festivals like MooFest 2024 are playing a crucial role in elevating the experience of becoming a more knowledgeable investor in Singapore. By making investing and financial content accessible, engaging, and enjoyable, such events have sparked a widespread interest in personal finance among the general public. As more people become more confident to invest and grow their wealth, the positive impact on individual lives and the broader economy may be multifold. The success of finance festivals in Singapore underscores the importance of coming up with an innovative approach to financial education and entrenching a brand, especially in a space crowded by many other brands competing for the same investment dollars.