Let’s face it – finding the right specialty insurance partner can be a runaround. From cannabis and cyber to haunted houses and medi-spas, brokers are being asked to place increasingly niche risks, often with little help from traditional markets.
But what if the right partners – MGAs and carriers with true appetite – were all in one place and actively looking to grow?
This July, they will be. The IB Marketplace at FutureFest is heading to Santa Monica Pier, connecting more than 100 specialty coverage providers with 500+ brokers at the industry’s only insurance festival. No trade show fatigue. No windowless hotel ballrooms. Just real business opportunities in the California sun.
“Specialty is where brokers are seeing the biggest demand and the biggest headaches,” said Lauren Counce, vice president at Insurance Business. “We designed Marketplace to bring supply and demand face-to-face – with a bit of a beach party thrown in.”
Alongside the open-air marketplace, FutureFest delivers a high-impact agenda. Panels will tackle today’s toughest insurance questions – no buzzwords, just real talk. Topics include “Next-Gen Distribution: What the Hell Happens Now?,” “How to Actually Use AI Without Screwing It Up,” and “WTF is Going on in the Economy?”
“It’s not about keynote clichés,” Counce said. “It’s built to challenge assumptions, share real strategies, and spark collaboration.”
Marketplace attendees will find more than 100 coverage categories represented – from cyber and cannabis to equine, pest control, haunted attractions and event liability. Whether you’re sourcing insurance for AI developers or tattoo studios, the underwriters on-site want your business – and have the capacity to write it.
“We’ve got appetite. We’ve got solutions. And we’re here to grow,” said one participating MGA.
In between sessions and demos, brokers can unwind with live music, networking lounges, and pier-side drinks – all designed to foster conversations that lead to deals.
“Most of the time, we’re chasing quotes,” one broker said. “Here, the carriers are chasing us.”
Santa Monica. July. Sand, surf, and specialty markets ready to deal. The IB Marketplace at FutureFest isn’t just another event – it’s a turning point.
