As InsuranceFest 2026 prepares to bring more than 1,200 insurance professionals to Santa Monica Pier on July 16, speakers from across the brokerage, carrier, technology, and talent spectrum are gearing up for conversations on everything from artificial intelligence and cyber risk to career development and industry culture.
This year's event will feature more than 60 speakers, four themed zones, and dozens of discussion tables designed to encourage candid exchanges between brokers, carriers, MGAs, reinsurers, and insurtech leaders.
Ahead of the festival, several speakers shared what they plan to discuss on stage and what they are most looking forward to once they arrive.
For many speakers, attracting, developing, and retaining talent remains one of the industry's most pressing challenges.
Natalie Arroyave, of RISE, who will appear on the panel Next Gen Playbook: Choosing the Best Path for Your Career, said the discussion will focus on helping emerging professionals navigate an industry that is evolving rapidly. "I'm excited to speak on how emerging professionals can make intentional career decisions in an industry full of evolving opportunities," Arroyave said. "Insurance is changing fast, from MGAs to insurtech and specialty markets, and many next-generation professionals are realizing they don't have to follow a traditional path to build a meaningful career."
She added that the industry needs professionals who can adapt to change while building careers aligned with their strengths and long-term ambitions.
Jennifer Kessel, of USG Insurance, who is participating in Next Gen Power Lab: What I Wish I'd Known, plans to offer a candid look at lessons learned throughout her career, including "mistakes, missteps, and lessons" she learned the hard way. "Our industry needs more transparency about what growth really looks like, because success is rarely a straight line," Kessel said.
For Marife Molina, of C3 Risk & Insurance Services, talent remains closely tied to agency growth and independence. "The M&A and consolidation wave isn't going away, and independent agents who think they have to choose between staying independent and staying relevant are asking the wrong question," Molina said.
"The agencies that are winning right now are the ones doubling down on their people… and protecting the culture that made them great in the first place."
Artificial intelligence will be a recurring theme throughout InsuranceFest, particularly in sessions examining its impact on brokerage operations and client expectations.
Jonathan Wheat, of EPIC Brokers, speaking on Customer Expectations 2026: Meeting the Digital-First Broker, believes AI is reshaping what clients expect from trusted advisors.
"What it means to be a trusted advisor is changing and how we leverage the AI tools at our disposal to solve clients' problems could bring about some of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime," Wheat said. "The ability to critically think through the breadth of our clients' objectives will be at the forefront of the job description."
Edward Cha, of Newfront, who joins Wheat on the same panel, plans to explore how firms are putting AI into practice. "Agentic AI is one of the most discussed topics across every industry today, and insurance brokerage is no exception," Cha told Insurance Business. "I'll be discussing how brokerage firms are leveraging AI, the expectations it creates for clients, and the realities of implementation, including its impact on service delivery, efficiency, and margins."
He added that understanding where AI creates value and where human expertise remains indispensable will be critical as the technology matures.
Beyond talent and technology, speakers will tackle some of the industry's most significant emergingrisks
Brandon Schuh, of Christensen Group, appearing on the panel AI Revolution – From Hype to ROI, will focus on developments affecting the casualty market, specifically around what's happening in the litigation space and how it serves as the foundation for pricing in the casualty market. Schuh said: "We are currently facing challenging dynamics that are quietly putting risk capital in a precarious position, driven by third party litigation financing and the rapid increase in verdict sizes."
Meanwhile, Mila Araujo, of NFP, will examine the growing role of personal cyber coverage in a digital world where personal and professional risks increasingly overlap. "I'll be exploring how personal cyber can help organizations uncover new opportunities to support clients, employees, and affinity groups as digital risks increasingly blur the line between our personal and professional lives," she said.
While the educational content is a major draw, many speakers said they are equally excited about the conversations that happen between formal sessions.
Arroyave said she is looking forward to hearing "how people across the industry are thinking differently about talent, leadership, and innovation," while Kessel noted that some of the most valuable career advice she has received came from informal conversations rather than conference stages.
Molina echoed that sentiment, saying she is eager to connect with "the next generation of agents and operators who are building something new and doing it on their own terms."
Cha is looking forward to learning from peers' real-world experiences with AI implementation, while Araujo said she is excited to exchange ideas with industry professionals who are challenging assumptions and shaping the sector's future.
For Wheat, the appeal is both professional and personal. "I'm excited just excited to be at the beach and collaborating with peers on new ideas," he said. "You can really feel the energy, and it reminds me what I love about the industry in the first place."
Register for InsuranceFest today to secure your place.
