Schedule and Session Details



Consider arriving in Chicago early to experience the city with your peers. Check out these recommended activities. Cost and coordination of any additional activities are the responsibility of attendees.

WSIA will host an optional what-to-know-before-you-go virtual meeting on October 23 to answer questions and facilitate pre-event networking for first-time attendees. You can register now, and details will be confirmed via email.

REGISTER HERE - October 23 Zoom Meeting | Noon ET

Sunday, October 27

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.                                Badge Pickup and Hospitality
Lake View Lawn

Monday, October 28

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 
Badge Pickup and Info Desk
Wright Ballroom Foyer
 
 
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Wright Ballroom
 
 
8:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Welcome!
Wright Ballroom
 
 
9:15 a.m.
Transportation departs for Children's Place Association Service Project
Lobby
 
 
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.                                                                
Service Project with Children's Place Association 
Children’s Place Association provides essential and comprehensive services that are lacking in disinvested neighborhoods—early education, trauma therapy, support groups, basic healthcare—by crafting personalized plans for a child’s and their family’s well-being.

WSIA’s U40 will support these efforts with 200 pairs of helping hands to aid in community beautification projects and enriching learning activities with the kids. If you would like to donate materials to build hygiene kits to benefit Chicago families in need, please check out their Amazon wish list.
     
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.                                       Lunch
Wright Ballroom
     
2:30 - 3:15 p.m.   WSIA Association Update and Presidential Address
Wright Ballroom

Brady Kelley, CEO and President, WSIA
Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld, WSIA Chair, CEO & President - National Property, RT Specialty
     
3:20 - 4:50 p.m.
Leading with Inclusion
Wright Ballroom

The WSIA Diversity Foundation has identified key inclusive leadership competencies: Panoramic Perspective, Empathy, Cultural Scholarship, Equitable Integrity and Moral Moxie. The Leading with Inclusion session aims to enhance participants' skills in embodying these competencies effectively, fostering a culture where all contribute to organizational success.

Mitch Brown, Engagement Leader & 10-year DEI Practitioner, The Kaleidoscope Group
                 
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.                        On-site Networking Reception, Dinner & Entertainment 
Lake View Lawn

Tuesday, October 29

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.               Breakfast
Wright Ballroom
     
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.   Leaders Panel
Wright Ballroom

Cristi Carrington, Brown & Riding
Mimi Fiske, Markel
Kenji Swepson, Everest
Michael VanAcker, RT Specialty
Moderated by Kristin Jones, Amwins Access
     
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.                   Roundtable
Wright Ballroom

Roundtable sessions offer an unguarded opportunity for attendees to discuss current events, market trends, day-to-day operations and management challenges.
     
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.   Lunch
Wright Ballroom
     
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.    Working Genius
Wright Ballroom

Jeff Henry, Vice President of Education and Professional Development, Amwins
     
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.             Roundtable
Wright Ballroom

Roundtable sessions offer an unguarded opportunity for attendees to discuss current events, market trends, day-to-day operations and management challenges.
     
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.    On-site Networking Reception, Dinner & Entertainment
Lake View Lawn