Conference Schedule

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The IA Evolve virtual conference offers insights and solutions for every stage of your technical expertise through a variety of online sessions including presentations, panel discussions, and an exhibit hall full of solutions – all intended to increase agency efficiency and help you reach your full potential.

Whether you’re just starting to integrate technology into your insurance agency or are looking for cutting edge practices and solutions, IA Evolve is the place to find it all, without expensive travel or admission fees.

Schedule of Events (times shown are Eastern)

Conference Open 11:00am – 5:00pm

Exhibit Hall: 25+ leading companies offering digital-based solutions for independent agencies
Networking Lounge: Make connections, participate in public and/or scheduled chats
Resource Center: Informative videos to view, helpful materials to add to your briefcase and take with you
Help Desk: Tech support is one click away during the entire event

Main Stage

11:10 - 11:25am Opening Remarks

Matt Masiello, Chief Executive Officer, SIAA
Welcome to IA Evolve! The digital revolution has changed the way many people think about purchasing insurance. The internet and multiple distribution channels offer the consumer more choices, yet also create more chaos. Independent agents still offer clients what others do not— knowledgeable advice, breadth of product offering, and carrier choice. Yet, today’s clients want a quality experience on their terms. Matt opens the conference with a quick level-set on the purpose of the IA Evolve event – independent agencies who discover powerful opportunities in adopting new technologies while embracing their traditional competitive advantage as a trusted advisor hold the power to redefining the independent agent.

11:30am - 12:30pm What Does the Future Hold for IAs - Point/Counterpoint Discussion

Matt Masiello, Chief Executive Officer, SIAA
Nigel Walsh, Managing Director – Insurance, Financial Services, Google Cloud
Moderator: Bryan Falchuk, Insurance & InsurTech Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Leadership Coach
Big data, AI, machine learning… Digital technologies have been banging on the door of the insurance model for some time and are slowly making headway in the reshaping of the industry. Does this mean the end of the independent agency channel is approaching or is it merely a new chapter? Eavesdrop on what should be a fun and interesting discussion between two leaders who think a lot about this topic every day – albeit from different perspectives, and (perhaps) very different self-interests. Matt and Nigel will put their futurists hats on for the first 45 minutes, wrapping up with questions from the audience.

1:15 - 2:15pm Technology: Will it Supercharge or Replace Insurance Agencies?

Taylor Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, Applied Systems
There is no doubt, customer expectations are driving carriers and independent agents to up their game in everything from products that protect to texting that connects. If agents want to thrive in a digital-first world, it requires a shift in mindset. Taylor Rhodes will deliver a rousing talk on transforming our industry together. He will look into the trends that affect our industry and dig into what successful agents are doing today to become agents for the future.

3:00 - 4:00pm Embracing Digital to Enhance the Client Experience - SIAA Member Panel Discussion

J. Craig Jones, Yennie & Jones Insurance, Pleasant Hill, MO
Rui Silva, StateChoice Insurance, West Hartford, CT
Steve Shoultz, Priority Risk Management Inc, Fishers, IN
Grayson Thompson, Mission Insurance, Dublin, OH
Moderator: Brendan Mulcahy, Director, Technology & Innovation Partnerships, SIAA
We all hear that agencies must be transitioning to be more “digital”, but what does that mean? The process of discovering, evaluating and adopting technology solutions looks different across agencies. Join this panel of agency principals as they share their unique insights – challenges and successes – in leveraging digital innovation to grow and compete.

Concurrent Sessions

12:30 – 1:15pm

Session A: Key Insights on How to Survive and Thrive Through Digital Technology Adoption

Bobbie Collies, Vice President, Strategic Distribution, Grange Insurance / Integrity Insurance
You know the importance of putting your customer at the center of every business decision. But do you know how to get there, and can your existing systems and strategies deliver the kind of digital functionality your agency needs, and customers expect? During this session, Bobbie will cover:

  • Critical considerations for a successful digital strategy
  • Harnessing emerging technologies to meet the evolving demands of customers
  • How agencies can collaborate with their carriers to automate processes and deliver a more modern purchase experience
  • The role change management plays in digital transformation

Session B: Using Web Chat and Automation to Turn Prospects into Paying Customers

Torey Maerz, Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Referrals
This presentation provides insight into how people use the internet to look for insurance and demonstrates the best way for insurance agents to attract prospects and then turn them into paying customers using web chat and automated follow-up campaigns. Supported with data and real-world examples and best practices.

2:15 – 3:00pm

Session A: Using Data to Dance with the One Who Brung Ya-

Ron Shroyer, Vice President of Sales – North America, Aureus Analytics
Agents have been largely successful over the years in getting to know their customers and knowing which markets to place their business. With the rapid evolution of technology and access to data in the industry over the past few years, there are many ways to do even better. In this session, we will discuss how using your data can help guide you to make quick decisions on which customers to engage at the right time, know what a “good” customer looks like, attract “look alike” prospects and how to leverage your data with your most profitable markets.

Session B: Creating Customers for Life with a Robust Onboarding Strategy

Shannon Chatman, Marketing Coach, Liberty Mutual Insurance / Safeco Insurance Company
Learn how a multi-faceted approach to onboarding clients can help solidify new relationships and increase retention. Learn the seven elements that should be included in a new client welcome kit, how you can share more about you and your agency to build a better relationship with clients and ways to utilize technology to aid in your retention efforts.

4:00 – 4:45 pm

Session A: Change is Hard

Jason Keck, Chief Executive Officer, Broker Buddha
Change is hard…especially when the price of a mistake is high. In fact, change is SO hard that top consulting companies like McKinsey & Accenture have entire businesses built around change management. But who has the budget for those guys?

Change requires ambition and discipline. In this presentation, Broker Buddha CEO Jason Keck shares his knowledge of change management learned from 20 years in the tech industry including two of those years at Accenture and four of them helping agents adopt technology.

Session B: Digital Adoption for the Win!

Christine and Mark Bailey, Agency Principals, Bailey Family Insurance Agency
Back by popular demand, former member panelists Christine and Mark Bailey return to IA Evolve to share the iterative and increasing use of digital on the front- and back-end of their agency. This family owned and operated agency is a good representation of what many independent agencies look like today. The Baileys will share how they are utilizing video throughout their marketing program and client contacts, and how automation has improved their ability to streamline and improve operations. This agency is also crushing it on Google My Business, reviews, and referrals, so if you want to hear more about their process, this session is a must-attend!