2026 Drive to Success
Half-Day Symposium Agenda

Networking Breakfast

Jeff Ryan, NAIFA-MD president

Josh Graff, Clark Capital

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. Key historical drivers for inflation and outlook for 2026. 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

Diane Boyle, Senior VP, Govt Relations for NAIFA National

What is happening at our Nation’s Capitol? Hear directly from NAIFA’s top lobbyist and Senior VP, Diane Boyle, as she outlines all the new stuff coming from the Capitol.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a new worker classification rule that uses an economic reality test. It is similar to the 2021 rule that the Biden Administration sought to change. It would apply to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The new proposed rule builds heavily on the 2021 standard. It starts with a look at two main factors:: Control of the Work and Entrepreneurial Opportunity.

Retirement Trump Accounts for Adults – and Trump Accounts - yet undefined new retirement savings program for those whose employers do not offer an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. It might open the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to those eligible for it, or tweak the existing MyIRA program. What we know, and how to advise your clients.

Will Tariffs replace Income Taxes – mentioned at the State of the Union, but not much more detail. Status update?

Choose from one of the two sessions below.

Gary Altman, Esq., Altman Associates

What do you recommend when a client tells you that he is likely to die within the next 90 days?

Rachel McCrocklin, CFP, CeFT, Prudential

Insurance and financial professionals are increasingly encountering settlements that trigger unintended tax consequences for claimants and advisors alike.

This session provides a practical, fiduciary-focused framework for understanding Qualified Settlement Funds, Plaintiff Recovery Trusts, and related structures that preserve settlement value, avoid double taxation, and reduce professional liability.

You will learn:

- How double taxation arises in settlement scenarios and why it is often missed

- When Qualified Settlement Funds and Plaintiff Recovery Trusts are appropriate and compliant

- The role insurance and financial professionals play in early issue spotting and referrals

- How fiduciary-led planning reduces risk while improving client outcomes

Choose from one of the three sessions below.

Alison Susko, Asset-Map
Torie Happe, Jump.AI

What specific technology tools they agents use 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?

Kevin Eberly, Regional VP, Hartford Funds

Elite Financial Professionals Share Secrets to Acquiring Affluent Clients

Most financial professionals work hard at pursuing affluent client prospects, but few are successful. It’s not for a lack of trying, so what’s the problem? Elite financial professionals have cracked the code!

Through extensive research, Oechsli, a thought leader on affluent client acquisition, discovered the street-tested strategies elite financial professionals consistently use to win clients with assets of $1MM or above. Now, Oechsli is sharing these secrets with you.

Jason Gobbel, Chief Solutions Officer/Partner, Kite Technology Group

AI adoption in agencies is growing, but most usage is still inconsistent and unstructured. Without clear guidelines, AI can introduce risk and unreliable outcomes. This session focuses on turning AI into a practical, repeatable part of your operations. You’ll learn how to structure AI use through defined roles, standardized prompts, and clear guardrails so your team can get more consistent, reliable results while reducing risk.

Deliverables:

1. Understand why AI efforts stall and how to move to real adoption

2. Learn simple frameworks to structure AI use

3. See real examples for claims, policy analysis, and renewals

4. Improve consistency and reduce risk in AI outputs

5. Identify one workflow to standardize with AI