Young Agent Award & Conference
2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference
Please check back for additional details and registration.
The only conference designed for young insurance professionals in PA, MD, and DE.
Attend the 2025 Young Agent Conference, coming to Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, PA on Oct. 15-16. This conference brings together an energetic, driven group of young agents who are actively seeking to develop their skills and careers. Attendees will connect with peers and mentors and find an agenda full of epic seminars, hands-on workshops, and knowledgeable, engaging speakers.
The 2025 Young Agent Conference focuses on AI, cybersecurity, the multi-generational workplace, time management, defining success, and networking.
Typically, our young agents are under the age of 39 years old; however, if you see something valuable on the agenda, don’t let age be a factor in attending.
DATES
Wednesday, Oct. 15 – Thursday, Oct. 16
LOCATION
Bear Creek Mountain Resort Â
101 Doe Mountain Lane
Macungie, PA 18062
To learn more about the hotel and location, go to: https://www.bcmountainresort.com
Room Rate: $159 + tax per evening (Discounted rate ends Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025)
Note about the room: This rate is either for a room with two queens or one king.
To make a room reservation:
Phone: Bear Creek Mountain Resort 866-754-2822 x205.
Please note that you are attending IA&B Young Agent Conference. Room Block Code: IAB10625.
Online: Click here to book room online.
Registration & Pricing Information:
Member: $389 (IA&B members save $80!)
Non-Member: $469
Member: $429 (IA&B members save $80!)
Non-Member: $509
Click the link above to register online, or call 800-998-9644, option 1.
Conference registration deadline: End of day on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
Agenda:
Wednesday, Oct. 15
8:00 AM – Women’s Breakfast
9:30 AM – Registration
10:00 AM – Welcome – Young Agent Conference Opening
10:15 AM – Session 1: AI – Making it Work for your Agency with Ryan Jackson
This presentation is designed to show independent insurance agency owners, producers, and CSRs how AI can be a powerful, approachable tool to grow their business and save time. We’ll cover real-world ways AI can support service, sales, and marketing—from writing follow-up emails and analyzing policies to generating social media content and automating simple tasks. The session will include practical examples, live demos, and step-by-step explanations using AlliBot, an AI assistant built specifically for insurance agencies. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can implement right away, plus a free 30-day trial of AlliBot to test it in their own agency.
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Session 2: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI – Protecting Your Business While You Grow with Daniel Metcalf
As AI continues to revolutionize operations, it also empowers cybercriminals with more sophisticated tools to exploit businesses-especially SMBs. This high-impact session is designed for agency owners, business leaders, and compliance-focused professionals to gain practical, actionable insights into today’s cybersecurity threats, including the rapidly evolving risks introduced by artificial intelligence. Delivered by a seasoned cybersecurity expert and AI evangelist, this course helps attendees move from reactive fear to proactive protection, giving them the knowledge to shield their companies, clients, and data-while maintaining growth and regulatory confidence.
2:30 PM – Break
2:45 PM – Choice of Session:
Session 3: The Productive Professional – Time Management Tips
with Cathy Trischan
Do you ever feel as though you have too much to do and not enough time to do it?  While you can’t add hours to your day, you can learn ways to best manage the hours you do have. The focus of this discussion is on helping the insurance professional develop an individual time management strategy. We will discuss setting goals and ways to maximize the use of available time to meet those goals.
OR
Session 4: Hiring & Leveraging a Virtual Assistant to Scale Your Insurance Agency with Ryan Jackson
Have you considered a Virtual Assistant (VA) and don’t know where to start? This session will concentrate on how to find and vet a virtual assistant. We will also explore how to maximize the ROI of a VA through proper training and assigning the right tasks.
4:15 PM – Young Agent Award Recognition and Panel
4:45 PM – Day 1 Conclusion
5:30 PM – Happy Hour/Networking
6:30 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Entertainment and Continued Networking
Thursday, Oct. 16
7:30 AM – Breakfast (served through 9:30 AM)
8:00 AM – Book & Podcast Club
9:45 AM – Session 5: Intergenerational Change – A Discussion Among Peers with Meg McKeen
Join us for a candid and inspiring conversation among insurance industry peers as we talk through the real-time nuances of the shifting generations in the workforce. Sharing stories and anecdotes from our everyday experiences, together we’ll chat about what motivates us, the place that work takes in our lives, and how we can meet future insurance professionals where they are as they consider a career in insurance, too.
11:30 PM – Lunch and Roundtable Discussions with Young and Seasoned Agents
2:15 PM – Break
2:30 PM – Session 6 – {Re}Defining Success with Meg McKeen
The way we define success can change as we change – and perhaps that means you are operating with an outdated vision that’s no longer aligned for you. In this interactive session, spend intentional time with facilitator Meg McKeen and your peers as you consider how the experiences and influences you’ve collected during your career – and life – shape the way you define success. And, if it might be time for a refresh, how to set about achieving it.
4:15 PM – Conference Wrap-Up
Sessions & Speakers:
Ryan Jackson
Presenting Sessions: AI in Insurance and Hiring & Leveraging a Virtual Assistant to Scale Your Insurance Agency
Ryan Jackson is a dedicated business owner at Fort Collins Insurance, where he emphasizes exceptional client service and innovative solutions in the insurance industry. Residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, Ryan enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with his family, including snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and camping. His passion for community involvement drives him to ensure that Fort Collins Insurance not only meets the needs of its clients but also contributes positively to the local community.
Under Ryan’s leadership, Fort Collins Insurance has embraced technology to enhance customer experiences, launching an app for easy access to quotes and policy documents. The agency has also implemented AI-driven tools to streamline operations and improve client retention. Ryan’s commitment to community service is evident through initiatives like the “Referral for a Cause” program, which supports local nonprofits.
Daniel Metcalf
Presenting Session: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI – Protecting Your Business While You Grow
Daniel Metcalf, Co-founder i President of CyberFin, is a Speaker & Cybersecurity Evangelist for the insurance Industry. He is on a mission to simplify cybersecurity for SMBs, and especially for Financial and Insurance Agencies.
His passion is to protect entrepreneurs and agency owners from cyber-crimes & compliance fines. Additionally, Daniel has a rich background in marketing, tech, and e-commerce. He has worn multiple hats – from a visionary entrepreneur to a results-driven Chief Revenue Officer. His expertise in revenue operations for tech and e-commerce companies has consistently driven growth and innovation in all his endeavors.
Cathy Trischan
AAI, CIC, CPCU, AU, CRM, CRIS, ARM, MLIS, TRIP
Presenting Session: The Productive Professional – Time Management Tips
Cathy is a seasoned insurance professional with extensive expertise in Commercial Property & Casualty. She is an IA&B instructor. A graduate of Rutgers University with a B.A. and holder of multiple prestigious industry designations—including AAI, CIC, CPCU, AU, CRM, CRIS, ARM, MLIS, and TRIP. She brings a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective to insurance operations, training, and consulting.
Following an early role as a company claims adjuster, Cathy began building a career in the agency space, starting as an Assistant Commercial Lines CSR. Over the years, she has held a variety of leadership positions, including Commercial Lines Manager, VP of Marketing, and Director of Commercial Underwriting. These roles have provided deep insight into both the strategic and operational facets of the insurance industry.
In 2023, Cathy launched a full-time training and consulting business, combining decades of field experience with a passion for education and professional development. Today, she is recognized for delivering expert guidance to agencies and professionals navigating the complexities of commercial lines insurance.
Cathy is a regular presenter for various agents’ associations and other organizations. She is a national faculty member of The Risk and Insurance Education Alliance, speaking in the CIC, CISR, and Ruble programs. Cathy has also written numerous articles on various insurance topics.Â
Meg McKeen
CIC
Presenting Sessions: Intergenerational Change – A Discussion Among Peers and {Re}Defining Success
Never satisfied with the status quo, Megan founded Adjunct Advisors LLC in 2018 after a personal journey through burnout and recovery, aiming to better support professionals in the insurance industry. With 25 years of experience working inside carriers, agencies, and consulting, she brings technical expertise, interpersonal insight, and leadership strength to her work as a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and licensed independent agent.
Through coaching, workshops, and curated events, she helps insurance sales and leadership professionals build confidence and clarity. She also champions women in the industry through Bound & Determinedâ„ , a podcast and platform for connection and support.
An Illinois Wesleyan University graduate with Chicago roots, she now lives and works as a digital nomad—often found practicing yoga, scouting vegan bakeries, or enjoying live music with a mocktail in hand.
IA&B has a no solicitation policy covering all our events. To provide a distraction-free environment for our attendees, or any exhibitors, sponsors, and employees, we do not allow solicitation at our events by attendees or unauthorized parties without the express written permission of IA&B. This policy includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:
- Unauthorized membership recruitment activities
- Unauthorized employment recruiting
- Unauthorized promotion of non-IA&B events
- Unauthorized exhibits
- Unauthorized on-site distribution of printed or electronic materials, literature, signs, flyers, invitations, tickets, forms, etc. (except business cards)
Violations of this policy may result in dismissal from the event without refund or disqualification from future events at the discretion of IA&B.
The IA&B Young Agent Conference and Young Agent Award are made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Have questions about the IA&B Young Agent Conference or Sponsorship?
Contact Alane Fagan for answers
Alane Fagan,
Events Manager
AlaneF@IABforME.com
800-998-9644, ext. 512
2025 IA&B Young Agent Award
Meet the 2024 IA&B Young Agent Award Winners
Nomination & Award Timeline
Nomination Forms Due: By 4:30PM on Friday, June 20, 2025
Winners Notified: By Friday, July 18, 2025
Official Announcement: Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the IA&B Young Agent Conference
Award Criteria
- Must be a licensed P&C Agent.
- Employed for one year or more by an IA&B Member in PA, MD, or DE.
- 39 years old or younger on Oct. 1, 2025.
- Made community contributions through volunteering or service.
- Example of emerging-leader status in the field.
- Participated in IA&B events, education, or other happenings.
Announcement of Winners
The official announcement of the winners will be made at the 2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, PA on Wednesday, Oct. 15. It will be accompanied by a video announcement on social media and the release of the magazine Primary Agent, Young Agent edition.
Winners Receive Prestigious Recognition
- At the 2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference on Oct. 15-16 in Macungie, PA. IA&B covers registration fees, lodging, and travel costs.
- Award video featured on the IA&B website and social media and shown at Young Agent Conference.
- Feature cover and interview in IA&B Primary Agent Magazine, November 2025, Young Agent edition.
- Award plaque & other IA&B swag.
Requirements of Award Winners
- Must be comfortable with public speaking.
- Keep award honors under wraps and confidential until the official IA&B announcement at the IA&B Young Agent Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
- Travel to Kent Narrows, MD, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, for photo and interview session, and to have dinner with IA&B staff and board members. (Overnight accommodations will be available. IA&B will cover the cost of a hotel room and travel fees.)
- Attend the IA&B Young Agent Conference on Oct. 15-16 in Macungie, PA, and be part of a panelgroup discussion. (IA&B covers registration fees, lodging, and travel costs.)
- Provide guidance and input for future young agent events.
Movers & Shakers Category
The nomination pool continues to grow each year, and the quality of candidates is exceptional. As a result, we added a new recognition level: Movers and Shakers. We are spotlighting this additional group of young professionals who are moving the independent insurance agency network forward. Movers & Shakers are selected from the Young Agent Award nominations. After judges determine the recipients, they will select the Movers & Shakers.
Receive Prestigious Recognition
- At the 2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference on Oct. 15-16 in Macungie, PA. IA&B covers registration fee for conference.
- Recognized in IA&B Primary Agent Magazine, November 2025, Young Agent edition.
- Award plaque & other IA&B swag.
Requirement of Movers & Shakers
- Keep award honors under wraps and confidential until the official IA&B announcement at the IA&B Young Agent Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Have questions about the IA&B Young Agent Award?
Contact Karen Robison for answers
Karen Robison,
Public Relations Director
KarenR@IABforME.com
800-998-9644, ext. 606
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Annapolis, MD 21401