The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) will hold its upcoming YBCcon conference on June 11 at the TIFF Lightbox in downtown Toronto.
The one-day event is aimed at brokers in the early stages of their careers, with programming focused on professional development and industry networking.
Kirstine Stewart, former head of CBC TV, radio & digital and founding head of Twitter Canada, will deliver the keynote address. Her presentation will examine approaches to building influence and trust in today’s business environment, according to the association.
The conference includes two learning streams. One will focus on industry topics such as the metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and proposed changes to Ontario’s auto insurance product. Another will explore opportunities in niche areas, including Environmental Liability, Surety, and Directors & Officers coverage.
A panel of insurance executives will discuss insurer expectations in broker relationships and broader industry direction. Speakers include Kelly Hopkins, vice president of broker distribution for Greater Ontario at Aviva Canada; Chris Evans, vice-president of sales operations and strategic broker management at Definity; Alyson Paisley, deputy senior vice president of commercial lines and prestige at Intact Insurance; and Susan Williams-Bonet, vice president for the Ontario region at Wawanesa.
Additional sessions will cover topics such as sales techniques, communication strategies, and leadership skills, with presentations led by Ed Meiering and Michael Kerr.
The agenda also includes a legal and market update. A litigation lawyer and representatives from Lloyd’s will address risk mitigation and trends in the managing general agency (MGA) space.
Attendees will have access to networking opportunities, including an opening night event hosted by Travelers and a tradeshow and hospitality night at Ricarda’s Atrium, which will feature more than 40 insurers and industry partners.
IBAO is a not-for-profit association representing over 13,000 insurance brokers across Ontario. The organization advocates on behalf of its members and the broker distribution channel, provides licensing and education programs, and delivers industry events and professional development opportunities.
