Convention Agenda

2026 Big I Michigan Convention & Trade Show

February 16–18 • Kalamazoo, Michigan

Join industry leaders for education, networking, and innovation that’s built to last.

Agenda

Big I Michigan Conference · February 16–18, 2025

Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Monday, February 16
7:30 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Location: Meadows, Lower Level
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Location: Registration Concourse · Outside of Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
8:30 – 11:30 AM
E&O
Presenter: Dave Walker · Location: Prairies (4–6), Lower Level
CE
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Keynote Lunch
Creating Motivation That Lasts When You’re Never Done, with Jess Ekstrom · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
1:30 – 2:00 PM
MAIA Annual Meeting
Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
2:00 – 4:50 PM
Ethics
Presenter: Joe Elliot (Accident Fund) · Location: Prairies (4–6), Lower Level
CE
2:00 – 2:50 PM
3:00 – 3:50 PM
4:00 – 4:50 PM
AI Customization and Integration
Presenter: Dan Metcalf · Location: Stone Theater, Lower Level
Business Branding
Presenter: Don Shampine · Location: Glens 1 & 2, Lower Level
Recreational Lines
Presenters: Eric Duren & Bill Schmidt (Progressive) · Location: Glens 3, Lower Level
CE
5:30 – 11:00 PM
Shuttle Transportation
Pick up Location: TBD · Drop-off Location: Air Zoo
Buses will run every 30 minutes between the Radisson Hotel & Suites and the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo Event
6:00 – 11:00 PM
Dress to Impress at the Air Zoo
Blue carpet arrival + professional photographer capturing guest arrivals
Event
6:00 PM President’s Welcome Reception
Kick off the evening with networking and drinks
6:30 PM Flight Deck Conversation
Angela Ripley & Jared Burkhart
7:30 PM Big I Michigan Awards Presentation
Celebrating excellence across our membership and partners
9:00 PM NextGen Nightcap Afterparty
DJ, dancing, flight simulator, and drinks to close out the night
Tuesday, February 17
7:00 – 8:00 AM
Yoga
Presented by Premco · Location: West Michigan Room, Lobby Level
7:30 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Location: Meadows
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration
Location: Registration Concourse
9:00 – 11:50 AM
Mock Trial
Presenter: Rick Pitts · Location: Arcadia Ballroom
CE
9:00 – 9:50 AM
10:00 – 10:50 AM
11:00 – 11:50 AM
Automating Your Office
Presenter: Dan Metcalf · Location: Stone Theater, Lower Level
You Can’t Automate Chaos
Presenter: Casey Nelson · Location: Glens 3, Lower Level
12:00 – 3:00 PM
Trade Show
Location: Lower Level (K-Zoo Ballroom, Prairies, Fields & Hallways)
Trade Show
Lunch
Location: Meadows, Lower Level
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Real AI, Today & Tomorrow: What’s Real, What Works, What’s Next
Presenter: Jerry Fetty · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
Emotional Magnetism
Presenter: Sandy Gerber · Location: Glens 3, Lower Level
3:00 – 3:50 PM
Submission Mastery
Presenter: Trina Molder · Location: Prairies (4–6), Lower Level
CE
Tough Conversations
Presenters: Barbara Walker & Larry Michael · Location: Glens 3, Lower Level
4:00 – 4:50 PM
Submission Mastery
Presenter: Trina Molder · Location: Prairies (4–6), Lower Level
CE
Tough Conversations
Presenters: Barbara Walker & Larry Michael · Location: Glens 3, Lower Level
5:00 – 6:00 PM
PAC Reception
Location: West MI Room, Lobby Level · Invite Only
Event
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Partner’s Night Out
Optional evening for agents to connect with carrier and vendor partners at informal gatherings around town, or enjoy time on their own in Kalamazoo.
Wednesday, February 18
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration
Location: Registration Concourse, Lobby Level
Starting at 7:30 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Breakfast Keynote: The Art of Listening Between the Lines
Presenter: Regina Carey · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
10:30 – 11:30 AM
TBD Session
Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Keynote: Built to Last
Presenter: Sandy Gerber · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Managing Mayhem
Presenter: Lori Rummelt · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
CE
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Making Tech Work For You
Presenter: Dan Conner · Location: Arcadia Ballroom, Lobby Level
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Closing Connections & Convention Wrap-Up
A final chance to connect, swap takeaways, and leave with new ideas (and new contacts) before heading home.
Event
Drink Ticket & Bars
1 drink ticket · 2 bars