As we head into the New Year, professionals in the insurance space are waiting with baited breath to see what 2025 will hold for the sector. With technology moving at an exceptional pace, bringing with it emerging risks and transformative opportunities, leaders are wondering what exactly the next 12 months will bring and, more importantly, how they can prepare for any challenges.
In that vein, California Insurance Wholesalers Association CIWA is proud to announce its annual CIWA Annual Meeting, from January 19, 2025 - January 22, 2025, at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. The education day, sponsored by Lloyd's, is an exclusive four-day event where attendees will enjoy a range of exclusive talks, professional insights and peer-to-peer networking, as well as a special keynote speaker.
One standout part of the event is CIWA’s State of the Marketplace Panel - a groundbreaking discussion on emerging market trends with speakers Brian Refici, vice president at MarshBerry, Jo Mueller, head of casualty at MunichRe, Ben Wright, principal US economist at The Hartford, and moderator Andrea House, CIWA education chair. Here attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing major market shifts, assessing pressing topics, challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Speaking to IB, House said that the panel is “completely unique” and promises to be “like nothing attendees have ever heard before at CIWA.”
“We have three very different speakers on the panel, each speaking to the industry a little different way. They’ll be speaking on the current P&C insurance premium landscape, shift from admitted to non-admitted, emerging issues, as well as the economic outlook for 2025,” House said.
“We’re in a hard market,” she said. “But will that continue? The panelists will talk about current market conditions, how the sector looks state by State, and where exactly we’ll see the most growth in the P&C space.”
CIWA has also announced that its keynote speaker will be former NHL ice hockey star Erik Westrum who also owns his own insurance firm. In his keynote, Westrum will touch on both personal and professional excellence, mindset transformation, and the importance of a healthy work-life balance in the face of burnout.
And in today’s fast-paced and overworked world, this discussion couldn’t be more apt. According to research from The Grossman Group, 75% of employees and 63% of managers feel burned out in their current role, with 58% of managers adding that they are mentally exhausted.
House said she believes Westrum’s talk will do wonders for those in attendance – especially considering how burned out our sector is right now.
“Eric’s going to touch prioritization and discipline, promoting work-life balance,” she told IB. “Because, in our industry, everyone is inundated with competing priorities right now. In Eric’s discussion on focus and effort, the audience will learn how to unlock their full potential during busy periods and how to manage their day by effectively attacking the right issues – all through balance and prioritization.”
Book your ticket to the California Insurance Wholesalers Association (CIWA) Annual Meeting here.
