The smell of sizzling beef emanating from an In-N-Out Burger truck parked a short walk from the Pacific Ocean filled my nose as the sounds of G. Love & Special Sauce drifted off into the dark sky.

Yet underneath the beach setting and relaxed dress code, Future Proof is still a work event for most attendees. Advisors are representing their firms; sponsors like Vanguard, BlackRock and Morningstar ...