2025 ANNUAL CONVENTION
February 3-5, 2025
Hyatt Regency, Wichita
Be part of the largest gathering of Kansas independent agents, brokers, and industry partners as we tackle the insurance industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Get ready to learn from some of the brightest minds in the insurance industry. This year’s lineup of speakers brings unparalleled expertise, practical insights, and inspiring stories to help you “Rise to the Challenge.” From keynote sessions to specialized breakout topics, these industry leaders are here to equip you with the knowledge you need to thrive in today’s evolving market.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown’s unconventional path to business and personal success has taught him that winning in business and in life requires anything but conventional thinking. With a streetwise aptitude and a never quit attitude, he worked his way from the front lines in business to the executive boardroom. For two decades, Kevin was a sales and marketing executive that helped grow a little-known family business into an industry giant with annual revenues reaching two billion dollars.
After a career in franchising that spanned 30 years, Kevin decided to pursue his passion for bringing The HERO Effect® message to as many people and organizations as possible. The HERO Effect® is a simple philosophy that separates world-class organizations and high-performance people from everybody else. Kevin now helps people
expand their vision, develop their potential, and grow their results. And, as the father of a child with autism, he knows firsthand how the principles of true success reach beyond the boardroom and into the lives of real people facing the challenges of everyday life.
Kevin is the bestselling author of The Hero Effect®. In his second book, Unleashing Your Hero, Kevin shares how the heroes who transformed his life are people just like you. People who were willing to use their gifts and abilities to serve others at a high level. This book is a guide to help everyday people discover and unleash their hero at work and in life.
Angela Adams
Angela began her career in agency accounting in 1985 and, after roles as an Agency Owner, CFO, and Marketing Manager, founded Angela Adams Consulting in 2001. Her expertise with agency operations and technology, along with her close relationship with Vertafore, has made her a sought-after presenter nationwide, including at NetVU events. Leading a team of over 100, Angela is dedicated to supporting agency success through her customer-focused consulting services.
Chris Boggs
Christopher J. Boggs is a seasoned Senior Product Manager at Verisk (ISO), where he manages policy language for ISO Commercial Property. Previously, he served as Vice President of Agent Development at IIABA. With over three decades in the insurance industry, Boggs has authored numerous articles and 15 books. He's a well-regarded industry speaker, with multiple professional accolades. His diverse career includes roles as an insurance educator, consultant, journalist, and more, holding nine professional designations and a journalism degree from Liberty University.
Lauren Childers
Lauren Childers is the Director of the Consumer Assistance Division at the Kansas Department of Insurance, overseeing the Property & Casualty and Health & Life Units. With 11 years at the Department, she has progressed from an Administrative Assistant to her current leadership role. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s and an MBA in Business Administration from Friends University in Topeka, Kansas.
John Eichkorn
John is the Director of Compliance, Enforcement, and Anti-Fraud at the Kansas Department of Insurance, where he oversees regulatory compliance for broker-dealers, investment advisers, and fraud investigations. Prior to joining the Department in 2019, he had a 30-year law enforcement career with the Kansas Highway Patrol, retiring as a major. In his KHP role, he led special operations, including Capitol Police, Homeland Security, and fleet units.
Sean Kevelighan
Sean Kevelighan became President and CEO of the Insurance Information Institute in 2016, bringing extensive experience in public affairs and corporate responsibility from his previous roles at Zurich Insurance Group and Citigroup. His public sector background includes senior positions in the George W. Bush administration, where he served at the Department of Treasury and the White House Office of Management and Budget. A University of Colorado graduate, Sean has also worked in public affairs consulting, advising FORTUNE 100 clients on policy and reputation management.
Casey Nelson
Casey is a passionate educator turned insurance expert with over 9 years of experience in the industry. Casey spent 6 years running a successful agency before he founded an insurance technology consulting company to address the growing need for technology-driven solutions. Casey’s true passion lies in empowering agencies to fully leverage their technology, helping them streamline processes and achieve greater efficiency.
Rick Pitts
Rick is a private practice attorney in the insurance industry. He serves as Vice-President and General Counsel to Arlington/Roe & Co., Inc. as well as General Counsel to the Big I Indiana and Kentucky. Rick teaches as a faculty member for the National Alliance and speaks annually at the "roadshows" in KY and IN's Agency Compliance Seminars, and presents various seminars on insurance and employment related matters.
Angela Ripley
Angela Ripley, president of VW Brown Insurance Service in Columbia, Maryland, became the Big “I” vice chair in September 2024. With over 25 years in the industry, she has held national leadership roles, including chairing the Big “I” Government Affairs Committee, serving on the Board of Directors, and leading InsurPac efforts in Maryland. Appointed by President Obama to the NARAB Board, Ripley has also served on the Federal Reserve’s IPAC and remains active as vice chair of the Insurance Roundtable of Baltimore.
Casey Roberts
Casey is an insurance veteran, working for over 35-years on the agency side of the business. He instructs as part of a nationwide effort to educate those in the insurance industry on the various topics that apply to agribusiness insurance and exposures.
Carey Wallace
Carey has worked in the insurance industry for the past 12 years focused on helping agencies leverage data and make informed business decisions. Her experience includes serving as CFO, COO and CIO at OIA as well as CEO of IntellAgents, a data-analytics company focused on independent agents. Helping agents win is Carey’s passion, and she continues her consulting work at Agency Focus, LLC her newly formed organization.
What people say...
"The speakers were very informative. I was able to retain a lot of the information because it was introduced in a manner that was very engaging."
Krista Burkhart, Producer