IB Future Fest lights up Santa Monica Pier with bold ideas, big names and beachside buzz

Hundreds gathered in California for the first annual IB FutureFest
IB Future Fest lights up Santa Monica Pier with bold ideas, big names and beachside buzz
INSURANCE NEWS
By Lauren Johnson
Jul 11, 2025

Day two of IB FutureFest is in full swing, with hundreds flocking to the Santa Monica Pier for the inaugural event, which has transformed the iconic boardwalk into a hub of innovation, networking and entertainment.

With over 500 insurance professionals, business leaders and innovators in attendance, the two-day event kicked off with a blend of thought leadership and immersive experiences.

The one-of-a-kind event features a series of interactive content lounges, with over 20 sessions led by industry trailblazers. These sessions focus pressing topics such as artificial intelligence, cyber threats and the future of underwriting.

Notable speakers at day one included Yiana Stavrakis, President of Monarch E & S; Nadia Hoyte, Cyber National Practice Advisor at USI Insurance Services; and Ed Morales, Senior Broker at WTW.

Beyond the sessions, the IB Marketplace buzzed with activity, with attendees exploring cutting-edge solutions from over 50 exhibitors, networking with their peers and participating in activities from flair mixology classes and beach volleyball to mini-golf on the pier.

The day wrapped up with an iconic Yachtley Crew performance as the sun set over the Santa Monica Pier. Attendees danced into the night, decked out in glow sticks, beach balls and captain hats, with the music and ocean breeze creating an unforgettable finale.

More insights and experiences await on day two

The excitement continued today with another full day of programming. Highlights include:

  • Interactive Content Lounges: Dive into sessions covering topics like mergers and acquisitions, next-gen talent and climate risk.
  • IB Marketplace & Tech Hub: Explore innovative solutions from leading providers.
  • Team-Building Activities: Participate in sunrise yoga by the ocean, flair mixology classes.
  • IB Rising Stars Awards: Celebrate emerging leaders in the industry from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

As the sun sets on IB FutureFest, one thing is clear: the future of insurance isn’t confined to boardrooms – it’s being shaped on the pier, in lounges and across conversations sparked by creativity, technology and collaboration.

With a blend of professional insight and coastal fun, this inaugural event has set a bold new standard for industry gatherings. Whether you came for the content, the connections or the captain hats, FutureFest delivered an experience to remember and left attendees already buzzing for what’s to come next year.

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