The Santa Monica Pier pulsed with energy and ideas as more than 500 insurance professionals converged for IB Future Festival 2025 on July 10–11. The open-air event offered a stark contrast to the usual conference circuit—eschewing ballrooms and PowerPoints in favour of Pacific breezes, surfside networking, and spontaneous conversation.
Recognized as the world’s largest insurance festival, Future Festival attracted a diverse mix of Brokers, MGAs, carriers, Insurtech's, marketers, and rising Next Gen talent. Over 45 sessions and 70+ speakers tackled some of the most urgent and forward-looking topics facing the industry today, including AI disruption, cyber risk, climate resilience, and digital client engagement.
“I honestly—I’ve never been to a conference like this,” said Krishna Lynch, VP and head of risk at Zurich. “Maybe that’s what I’m feeling… a different energy that I’m not used to feeling at traditional conferences.”
That sense of something different permeated the entire experience. The setting invited openness and accessibility—there were no velvet ropes, no closed doors. Instead, Future Festival encouraged free-flowing ideas and cross-sector collaboration. Legacy players sat alongside startup founders, while early-career professionals took the mic in several sessions to push the conversation forward.
“NextGen—we need their energy. We need their ideas,” Lynch said. “I do like the theme of this conference: future forward.”
The content backed up that theme. Sessions explored the ethical use of AI in underwriting, emerging embedded insurance models, shifting consumer expectations, and the growing influence of behavioral science on product design. One panel challenged attendees to think about insurance as a service, not a product. Another unpacked how cultural transformation is reshaping the way advisors sell.
But the festival wasn’t just about what happened on stage. Much of the impact came from what took place between sessions—spontaneous brainstorms at picnic tables, new partnerships formed over coffee carts, and shared insights under string lights.
As day one wrapped, the energy continued well into the evening. Attendees gathered by the water as the Yachty Crew band performed a yacht rock set that had the crowd dancing into the night.
“I love this outdoor atmosphere, rather than, you know, Stuffy, closed door, right? This is a good change ,” said Athula Alwis, CEO AllDigital Specialty “this open environment right on the beach. I love this. This is the format you should have.”
Insurance Business Future Festival has become a mix of content, culture, and community. While the format breaks convention, the outcomes are grounded in real business needs—accelerating innovation, fostering meaningful connections, and preparing the industry for what’s next.
By the close of day two, one thing was clear: the future of insurance isn’t being shaped in hotel ballrooms or behind closed doors. It’s happening out in the open—with new voices, new energy, and a willingness to rethink everything.
