Mind the Gap

Anything out of balance can be dangerous, right? During this session, Brandon helps bridge the gap and bring balance between maintaining healthy relationships and leveraging technology. Brandon shares how his team builds deeper, more meaningful relationships and converts over 6,500 digital leads per year. His primary goal is that attendees leave this session with a proven game plan that supports the use of technology, maintains excellent customer experience, consistently generates a positive ROI, and helps build longer-lasting relationships.

Speaker
Brandon Smith 
EVP of Marketing & Communications, Glidewell

Sponsored by
American European Insurance Group
Burns & Wilcox
Nationwide

Outsmart the Busywork: Practical AI Moves for Insurance Agents

Ready to do more with less hassle? This fast-paced session will show insurance agents how to use AI to cut through busywork, speed up routine tasks, improve client communication, and work smarter every day. You’ll see practical examples, useful prompts, and fresh ideas for using tools like ChatGPT beyond basic writing tasks, with takeaways you can put to work immediately.

Speaker
Matt Smith 
Director of Growth & MarComms Operations, IIAT

Sponsored by
SALT Insure
QuoteWell
Outmarket.ai
Catalyit

The Best Policy You’ll Ever Buy: Invest in IMPACT

Learn why IMPACT is one of the most important tools independent agents have to support IIAT’s advocacy work and help ensure your voice is represented when policy conversations begin. 

Speaker
Mitch Carney
Political Director for Dustin Burrows, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives

Enrique Marquez
Principal, Marquez Public Affairs

Sponsored by
Travelers
CAA

Ethical Management: Breaking Barriers to Integrity

Your agency's reputation is your most valuable asset—and your greatest vulnerability. This session breaks down barriers to integrity by providing a practical, repeatable three-question framework to confidently navigate the toughest dilemmas. Invest an hour to secure your agency's future, turn ethical leadership into your long-term competitive advantage.

Speaker
Tai Jenkins Williams, M.Ed, MS, ITP, MCCT, CLDP
Senior Customer Engagement Training Consultant, Texas Mutual 

Sponsored by
Texas Mutual

Hook'Em: The Secret to Client Retention

In a world where sales and lead generation get most of the spotlight, client retention is too often overlooked. In this engaging session, Brandon shares how shifting that mindset transformed his business. By creating a dedicated retention specialist role, his team saw a major boost in client loyalty and cross-selling success. This session will equip you with practical tools to create a more balanced approach…one that values both winning new clients and keeping the ones you already have.

Speaker
Brandon Smith 
EVP of Marketing & Communications, Glidewell 

Sponsored by
Root Insurance

Agency Perpetuation Is a Mindset, Not a Moment 

Perpetuation isn’t something you plan for at the end of your career. It’s something you build over time. This session explores how to develop a long-term mindset, invest in future leaders, and build an agency that is prepared for transition at any stage. 

Speakers

Kevin Callister
Chief Affiliations Officer, Leavitt Group

Jake Jensen
Executive Vice President of Affiliations, Leavitt Group

Sponsored by
Leavitt Group

How A Bill Becomes Your Law: Understanding the Process and the Issues

Get a practical look at how ideas move through the Texas Legislature, where agents can make a difference and which issues could affect the insurance marketplace.

Speaker
Marquez Public Affairs 

Sponsored by
Iron Insurance Partners

Building the Next Generation: From Classroom to Career in Insurance

Finding and developing talent is a major challenge for the insurance industry. This session explores how the CISR High School Program connects classroom learning to career pathways by introducing students to insurance concepts, industry-recognized credentials and real-world work experiences.

Attendees will hear examples from student internships in Laredo, Texas, and leave with practical ideas for supporting high school programs, internships and the next generation of insurance professionals.

Speaker
Noelle Codispoti
Head of The Academy and Director of Emerging Talent Programs, Risk & Insurance Education Alliance

Speaker
Dale Randol
President and Chief Executive OfficerAlliance, IBC Insurance Agency

Sponsored by
Risk & Insurance Education Alliance

10X Your Book of Business

In this sales-focused session, IIAT President & Executive Director Marit Peters will show you how to take a fresh look at your book of business, identify your highest-impact clients and opportunities, and focus your time where it can create the biggest return. Inspired by the concepts in 10X Is Easier Than 2X, this session will help agents and producers rethink growth, double down on the top 20% that drives real results, and build a more intentional path to bigger, better business.

Speaker
Marit Peters 
President & Executive Director, IIAT  

Sponsored by
BroadStreet Partners

The Strategic Agency: Turning Data into Better Decisions

A practical course on using agency data to make smarter decisions that strengthen client retention, improve performance, and drive sustainable growth.

Speaker
Angela Ford 
Continuous Improvement Director, IIAT

Sponsored by
Catalyit

Big State, Big Stakes: Independent Agents in the Legislature

Explore what is at stake for independent agents in Texas and how IIAT is working to protect the value and influence of the independent agency system.

Speaker
Robert Howden

Legislative Director for Governor Greg Abbott

Marquez Public Affairs

Sponsored by
Service Insurance Companies

Ethical Management: Breaking Barriers to Integrity

In today's volatile market, your agency's reputation is your most valuable asset—and your greatest vulnerability. This high-impact session is designed for leaders ready to break down barriers to integrity by providing a practical, repeatable three-question framework to confidently navigate the toughest dilemmas. Invest an hour to secure your agency's future, turn ethical leadership into your long-term competitive advantage.

Speaker
Tai Jenkins Williams, M.Ed, MS, ITP, MCCT, CLDP
Senior Customer Engagement Training Consultant, Texas Mutual  

Sponsored by
Texas Mutual