Young Agent Award & Conference
2025 IA&B Young Agent Conference
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.
Typically, our young agents are under the age of 40 years old; however, if you see something valuable on the agenda, don’t let age be a factor in attending.
DATES
Monday, Oct. 28 – Tuesday, Oct. 29
LOCATION
95 Presidential Circle
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Registration & Pricing Information:
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 Monday, Oct. 14
Agenda:
Monday, Oct. 28
8:30 AM – Women’s Breakfast (Sponsored by Millers Mutual)
9:00 AM – Registration
10:00 AM – Welcome – Young Agent Conference Opening
10:15 AM – Working with Different Behavior Styles (DISC profiling) with Claudia St. John
What is your work style and personality? Do you tend to be confident and place an emphasis on bottom-line results? Or do you focus more on relationships and persuading others? This keynote offers valuable insights into understanding your DISC behavioral or personality style. DISC, a self-assessment, divides people into four personality styles:
- D-style (Dominance)
- I-style (Influence)
- S-style (Steadiness)
- C-style (Correctness)
Understanding your DISC assessment is a game changer! It helps develop self-awareness and improves communication, productivity, and team building. DISC profiles describe human behavior in various situations – for example, how you respond to challenges, how you influence others, your preferred pace, and how you respond to rules and procedures. It measures tendencies and preferences, or patterns of behavior.
For more information about DISC, please see the section below: A Note About the DISC Profile.
12:15 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Choice of Session:
Behavior Styles and Leadership – Tools You Can Use with Claudia St. John
Learn how your DISC style influences your leadership approach and how you can effectively manage and motivate your team. It includes addressing common leadership challenges and leveraging behavioral styles for effective communication.
OR
Emerging Risks with Steve Lyon
Technology is changing rapidly, and the insurance industry is struggling to keep pace. In this session, we will explore how carriers and the courts interpret coverage for new issues. Additionally, learn what steps you can take to safeguard your clients. Topics will include but not be limited to:
- Smart Contracts on the Block Chain Platform
- Digital, Virtual, and Crypto Currencies and NFTs
- Parametric Insurance
- Getting the Named Insured Right
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana
- Nanotechnology
- Embedded Insurance
- Price Optimization and Big Data
- The Next Crisis – PFAS, Microplastics, Contingent BI exposures, Water Shortage
3:00 PM – Break
3:15 PM – Choice of Session:
Behavior Styles within Teams – At Work and Home with Claudia St. John
Our behavioral style accompanies us in all aspects of life – at work, at home, and in every interaction with others. This training session will provide insights into recognizing the behavioral tendencies of those around us and offer strategies for building strong, productive relationships both in and out of the workplace.
OR
Emerging Risks with Steve Lyon (repeat session, see description above)
4:45 PM – Afternoon Wrap-Up
5:30 PM – Happy Hour/Networking
6:30 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Team Trivia Challenge
Tuesday, Oct. 29
7:30 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Book & Podcast Club Roundtables
We are kicking off a Young Agent Book & Podcast Club! For this inaugural club, we are selecting three books and two podcasts recommended by agents. You may choose any book or podcast from the list and discuss it at the morning roundtables.
Books:
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- Transforming Teams by Claudia St. John
Podcasts:
- All In, hosted by C Palihapitiya, J. Calacanis, D. Sacks & D. Friedberg
- Pivot, hosted by K. Swisher and S. Galloway
9:30 AM – Advocacy Discussion Led by State Representatives
Learn about the importance of advocacy and legislation from elected officials who are also insurance agents. Discover what motivated them to become advocates, the insurance issues currently under consideration, and how you can become more involved in advocacy.
Did you know? IA&B staff monitor legislation and regulations that affect independent agents in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. Our government relations staff and volunteers work to advance laws and regulations that benefit independent insurance agencies while opposing those that could harm your business.
10:30 AM – Young Agent Roundtables Guided by Seasoned & Successful Agents
Roundtable discussions are a conference favorite. They give participants an opportunity to have conversations with other attendees, and each table is moderated by a seasoned leader in the industry. Attendees can contribute their thoughts, experiences, best practices, and expertise.
12:00 PM – Young Agent Award Luncheon & Celebration
This luncheon will include the official announcement of the 2024 Young Agent Award winners. It will be followed by a panel discussion involving the three winners, each representing Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. In its fifth year, IA&B has established this prestigious award to acknowledge and honor talent in the independent insurance community.
1:30 PM – IA&B President Moderates a Panel with Insurance Carrier Leaders
IA&B President Jason Ernest, Esq. will moderate a discussion with leaders from insurance carriers about the hard market and how insurance companies are reacting in the environment. Question could include:
- Is the hard market fading, and if so, what impact will that have on premiums?
- What is the rationale behind the heightened underwriting standards instituted by carriers, such as heightened roof standards?
- As building costs reduce, why are replacement cost values (RCV) still high?
- What is the future of the personal lines market for independent insurance agent carriers?
- How can agents better understand – and explain – the reinsurance process?
- What are carriers doing to attract new talent for their hiring, and where are they finding success?
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
3:00 PM – Conference Wrap-Up
Sessions & Speakers:
Claudia St. John
SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Steve Lyon
CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS
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