Palm Zone Agenda
The Palm Zone is laid-back and conversational, as we focus a spotlight on people, culture, clients, and decisions that move a brokerage forward. Dig into digital client experience and winning (and keeping) business in a virtual world, rethink nat cat and construction risk, get real about inclusion that shifts culture and performance, and unpack the next wave of payments, E&S, and personal cyber.
10:35 – 10:40
Opening Address from Chair
10:40 – 11:15
E&S Unfiltered: The Insider’s Guide for 2026
E&S is where some of the toughest—and most interesting—business is happening. In this session, top E&S brokers, MGAs, and underwriters break down how they’re accessing capacity, navigating shifting appetites, and solving for risks the standard market won’t touch. Learn practical strategies for building strong carrier and MGA relationships, handling difficult claims conversations, and using tech to streamline submissions. Delegates will leave with insider perspectives and new approaches to winning in the 2026 E&S market.
Jamie Cannon
Senior Vice President of Logistic Services, Reliance Partners
Ashby Moore
Area Vice President, Risk Placement Services
11:20 – 11:55
Panel: Customer Expectations 2026: Meeting the Digital-First Broker
Market consolidation, shifting capacity, and economic pressures are transforming insurance distribution. This panel brings together brokers who have navigated M&A, capacity crunches, and changing client demands, sharing practical strategies for staying competitive. Learn how independent and regional brokers can leverage partnerships, target profitable niches, and adapt their business models to thrive over the next 3–5 years of disruption.
Edward Cha
SVP. Global Practice Leader, Newfront
Jonathan Wheat
Senior Vice President, Epic Brokers
Allen Madden
Senior Vice President, Alliant Insurance Services
Austin Kennedy
Head of Innovation & Transformation, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Moderator
Moderator
12:40 – 13:15
Blueprints & Bulldozers: Construction Risk Unfiltered
Construction projects are getting bigger, more complex, and more exposed—to climate, regulation, supply chains, and litigation. In this candid “war stories” session, brokers, underwriters, and claims leaders share the surprises (good and bad) they’ve seen on major construction accounts, and what they’d do differently next time. Explore how climate, regulatory shifts, and specialty products are changing the risk profile, and co‑create a must‑ask checklist you can use on your next major project.
Jose Suarez
Vice President, Managing Partner, Alera Group
13:20 – 13:55
Panel: Talent, Opportunity and Outcomes – The ROI of Different
The talent gap, generational change and shifting expectations are forcing firms to rethink who they hire, how they grow people and who gets real opportunity. This session looks at the business impact of building teams that mix ages, backgrounds and experience, showing how varied perspectives strengthen retention, decision‑making, client insight and product design. You’ll leave with practical, business‑first ideas on hiring, stretch roles, team structure and mentoring that widen opportunity and lift performance.
Josephine Gartrell
Managing Director, WTW
Marife Molina
Partner and EVP of Revenue, C3 Risk & Insurance Services
Randi Kasongo
President, NAAIA - LA Chapter
Tony Chimera
Chief Administrative Officer, Westfield Specialty
Moderator
Moderator
14:00 – 14:35
Payments and Premiums: Fixing the Friction
Cheques, clunky billing, and slow claims payments are friction points your clients feel every day. Step into the fast lane of insurance payments and see how InsurTech is modernising the flow of money across the value chain—from digital wallets and instant claims to smarter billing and collections. Get the inside scoop on the latest payment innovations, real‑world success stories, and what’s around the corner with tools like blockchain and stablecoins. Leave with ideas to improve cash flow, cut admin time, and make it dramatically easier for clients to pay you.
Anis Taylor
Co-Founder and COO, SnapRefund
14:40 – 15:15
Beyond the Model: Rethinking Nat Cat Risk for a Volatile World
When clients hit you with “Why is my coverage changing again?” you need more than a climate soundbite, you need a clear, confident story that actually lands. In this high energy session, a catastrophe modeling expert, a nat cat heavy retail broker and a California reinsurer unpack what is really driving pricing, capacity and coverage shifts on the ground. You will leave with sharper language for tough client conversations and practical ideas to keep cat exposed accounts insured and resilient in a world that will not sit still.
Dawn Cusack
Senior Vice President, Brown and Riding
15:20 – 15:50
Personal Cyber 2.0: Add‑Ons That Keep You Ahead of the Pack
Personal cyber is no longer just “identity theft insurance” as brokers are now dealing with hacked bank and payment apps, deepfake and phishing scams, home device ransomware and data leaks from everyday platforms. This session explores how carriers are reshaping personal cyber cover, what is really covered and what is not, and how leading brokers are packaging it with home, auto and executive policies for high risk clients and families. You will hear real claim stories and leave with concrete talking points and education tactics to make personal cyber a relevant, value adding conversation rather than a fear play.
Mila Araujo
Personal Cyber Practice Leader, North America, Assistant Vice President, DigitalShield, NFP
15:50 – 15:55