Drive to Success

Networking breakfast for attendees

Coffee networking event

Jeff Ryan, NAIFA-MD president

State of the Economy – What’s Happening Around the World and at Home

Join us for a game-changing presentation where you will learn the top 5 economic drivers and how they are impacting the nation’s economy. How best can we prepare our clients? An in-depth analysis of major factors shaping economic outcomes, including interest rates, global conflict, wage dynamics, business confidence, and demographics.

Choose from one of the three sessions below.

Michael Shaw, Esq, The Shaw Law Group

With the average age of insurance agency owners reaching the early 60s, there are huge opportunities for developing a succession plan. Most agencies do not have an outline for handling emergency crisis when a health situation occurs. Research is proving that 60% of businesses will transition their ownership in the 5-10 years, but less than 30% will handle it successfully. Why? Are you prepared to acquire new lines of business? What do you need to discover before acquisition? Should you partner with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor? What are the benefits/pitfalls? When is the best time to start considering a path toward success or selling? What is the benefit to maintaining ownership in minority or majority deals? How to arm yourself to have better, more productive conversations with your business owners.

Who are those folks on the P&C side of things? What are the benefits of partnering with them, to grow my own lines of business? What does a P&C firm see as critical value to a partnership with a life insurance agency? Hear different perspectives from 3 business owners about how you can widen your sphere of influence and, ultimately, increase revenues!

Sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents of MD

Glenn Arrington, Group Benefit Strategies, Bel Air
Christopher Farmer, NAIFA-MD Board of Directors, Integral Benefits, Baltimore

Sponsored by NAIFA-MD Health/Disability Cohort
Legislative Changes to Medicare and Other Health Legislation for 2026

Allison Susko, AssetMap

Take Your Agency to the Next Level – Using Technology and Tools to Increase ProfitsSession Description: Learn what specific technology tools agency owners are using most effectively, and why. How does one build a client service model approved by your compliance officers? What are the realities of using artificial intelligence tools as it relates to compliance with your broker/dealer? Hear how one NAIFA member is using an AI tool called Synthesis to create a customer service avatar for use in live sessions with clients.

Choose from one of the three sessions below.

Brian J. Haney CLTC CFS CIS CFBS LACP LUTCF CAE

This highly interactive session will do a deep dive in to the 5 macro-trends impacting the next generation of client investor. The CFP Board released a 2025 Study illustrating that more and more women are taking ownership of financial planning in the home. What does this mean for financial advisors? Don’t be “cookie cutter” advisor – brand yourself differently. Tips for developing an indemnity that sells. How Do You Tell Your Authentic Story?

Sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents of MD

Christopher Farmer, NAIFA-MD Board of Directors, Integral Benefits, Baltimore

Build Additional Lines of Business Into Your Agency – How Much Revenue and Growth Can You Expect?

Lunch. Awards, Legislative Update Panel
Panelists:
NAIFA – Diane Boyle, SVP, Government Relations
NAIFA-MD Lobbyist – Brett Lininger, Esq. (local perspective of legislation in MD)
IIAMD Lobbyist – Jay Duke (local perspective of P&C legislation in MD)