7:50 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast in Exhibit Hall

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | Opening Remarks

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM | Keynote: Closing The “Skills Gap:” Innovative Talent Management Solutions For A Changing Workforce

Top executives can no longer be complacent when it comes to recruiting, developing and retaining high potential employees and future leaders. This talk shows how to prioritize talent-related risks, identify the seven talent problems that kill profits, and how to accelerate knowledge transfer in the multigenerational workplace. Learn how to recruit and retain high potential talent that creates competitive advantage.

Speakers:

David DeLong, Author and President, David DeLong & Associates

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | Keynote: State of the Claims Industry

Insurance companies are confronting a marketplace that is changing more drastically than ever before. In addition to macroeconomic, social, and regulatory changes likely to impact the industry, insurers are coping with longer-term, game-changing trends including the increased connectivity among household and workplace devices, the development of autonomous vehicles, growth in emerging insurance sectors, and more. To adapt to today’s rapidly evolving, consumer-centric culture, insurers are continually upgrading their operating systems, business models, and value propositions. So how are they doing? Our industry expert uses market research to illustrate where the industry is now, how the industry has evolved and exciting developments coming in the future.

Speaker: 

David Pieffer, Vice President, Head of the Property and Casualty Insurance Practice J.D. Power

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | Networking Break in Exhibit Hall

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Innovation Stage Presentations

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Networking Lunch in Exhibit Hall   

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM | ACE Mega Session: Managing Today’s Claims while Planning for Tomorrow’s Technology

Amazon, Google, severe weather, the sensor revolution, autonomous cars, the list of potential disruptors of the insurance industry is endless and everyone is guessing what will be the true disruptor. However, change is not just on the horizon for the insurance industry, it’s here now. Prioritizing which technologies or strategies to implement could be a daunting task due to the number of options, cost of products, or even figuring out what is appropriate for your organization. Then comes the implementation stage, which is still, often failing at organizations. However, when the root of the problem is discovered it typically comes down to process and not the technology itself. How do you manage today’s issues while still educating yourself on industry advancements? This session will review best practices for selecting and implementing claims technology along with, what emerging technology you need to understand.

After this presentation, attendees will be invited to join the conversation via guided networking roundtables on insurance technology. Please see the list below to select the roundtable you would like to join.

Roundtables:

1. Best Practices for Managing your Team through an Implementation
2. Sorting through the Noise: Finding the best Tools for your Carrier
3. Technology Implementation Strategies for Small to Mid-Size Carriers
4. Emerging Technology’s Potential Impact on the Future of the Claims Industry

Speakers: 

Lance Ondrej, EVP - Chief Claims Officer, Germania Insurance

Kristina Tomasetti, Strategic Innovation Director, USAA

Allan Robinson, Executive Vice President of Field Operations and Sales management and Chief Claim Officer, Horace Mann

Donald Light, Director, Celent

Moderator: Ernie Bray, CEO, ACD

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Networking Break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Innovation Stage Presentations

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Fireside Chat: Strategic Planning to Drive Customer Loyalty and Revenue

There is little question that the role of today’s claims department has a much broader scope beyond the customary responsibilities of processing claims. The ability to manage the claims department and provide strategic business counsel are now baseline requirements for leadership. This panel will explore the relationship between the claims department and a carrier’s business goals, the strategic input that business line heads seek from a chief claims officer, and the best strategies for implementing technical and procedural solutions that drive customer loyalty and revenue goals.

Speakers: 

Tim Roberts, Vice President-Workers Comp Claims, Everest Insurance

Grace Hanson, Chief Claims Officer, Hiscox

Moderator: Patricia Harman, Editor in Chief, Claims Magazine 

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM | Talent Shortages, Climate Change, Economic Uncertainty: Examining Global Risks Affecting the Industry

This year we have heard a lot about the risks facing our society from climate change to a potential US recession the list is long. However, some of those risks are especially of concern to the insurance industry. This session will cover the top concerns insurance executives have when evaluating the impact of global risks and potential strategies for minimizing impact on your organization.

Speakers: 

Andrea Bessling, Assistant Vice President Claims Field Property, The Hanover Insurance Group

Crystal Uebelher, Claims Attorney, Clarity Education 

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Networking Reception

8:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Registration

8:50 AM - 9:30 AM | Networking Breakfast

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM | Opening Remarks: Defining the Insurance Workplace of the Future

9:40 AM - 10:15 AM | Keynote: State of the Workforce

What will the workforce of the future look like? What new skills will claims professionals need? They’re questions insurance leaders are tackling daily as the insurance workforce has seen technology impact the way it works; from data enhancing our strategic decision making to the automation of repetitive tasks. Today, we regularly discuss the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on business models. Along with that discussion comes the question of whether or not AI will displace or change our jobs. This session will cover where the claims industry workforce is today and how it will evolve in the future.

Speaker: 

Deb Zawisza, Vice President, Research and Consulting, Novarica

10:15 AM - 10:35 AM | Networking Break

10:35 AM - 11:20 AM | Engaging a Remote Workforce

With mergers and acquisitions on the rise and continued improvements in technology, more and more employees are working remotely. However, with remote workers comes a new set of challenges around digital literacy, engagement, and management. Creating a strategy to effectively manage the performance of your remote team is key to the longevity of this style of work. This panel will discuss their personal success strategies for remote working and training plus, common mistakes made when trying to transition to remote management.

Speakers: 

Jodie Hopkins, Commercial Lines Underwriting Operations Leader, Westfield Insurance

Caryn Siebert, Vice President - Carrier Practice,  Gallagher Bassett

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM | Workforce Optimization: Strategies to Enhance Your Workflow

Workforce optimization is a common business strategy used to balance customer satisfaction, service levels, workforce scheduling, operational costs and other key performance metrics. It’s commonly used to keep your workforce efficient and effective in high growth situations. However, as the claims industry evolves workforce optimization strategies can be used to enhance your workflow and change the mindset of your managers to fit with new strategic goals. This session will review how to evaluate your workforce and determine if optimization is needed, best strategies for workforce optimization, and how to handle conversations around workplace change.

Speakers: 

Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, CEO and Founder, Legal Lean Sigma Institute LLC

Karrie Wood, Operations Consultant, Resource Pro

Christopher Tidball, Vice President - Sales and Claims Transformation Strategy, EXL

12:00 PM - 12:05 PM | Conference Closes