Companies have struggled to access and engage consumers in working and middle class markets via traditional face-to-face distribution. Interest in serving these markets online has accelerated as other industries meet the challenge of the empowered consumer and raise the bar with engaging online experiences. But which consumer groups are most receptive to buying life insurance online? Are there specific strategies that might motivate more people to consider an online purchase? This session will explore the reality of consumer preferences for the online experience and offer considerations for companies looking to develop (or improve) their online sales channel.

“Financial Wellness” . . . it’s something everyone’s talking about; but, on many levels, it remains an elusive concept. This session will shed light on what financial wellness is, what it means for employers and individuals, and what providers and other stakeholders are doing to promote it.

(For LIMRA members only)

Sponsored by Life.io

Sponsored by Pacific Life Insurance Company

Rethink the challenges that face consumers in a modern market and develop groundbreaking, consumer-centric strategies that will transform and elevate your organization into a global icon.

Sponsored by State Street

Along with the rise of the consumer, over the past several years companies have increasingly focused on the role of customer experience in their strategic planning. The financial services industry has not been immune to this trend, paying considerable attention to understanding and improving the client experience. This session will feature a panel discussion with representatives from two companies addressing issues like the influence of the pursuit of customer-centricity on their strategic plans, efforts to manage experience, specific challenges they have encountered, and lessons learned.

Blockchain is gaining momentum in the financial services industry. Its ability to record and verify data by distributed ledger will give companies the ability to speed up transactions and lower costs. Many financial institutions are currently evaluating the technology to determine how they can use it to improve cybersecurity, contracts, automation, and auditing. There are also several hundred blockchain start-ups globally looking to partner to develop solutions. This session will explore where and how blockchain is expected to have impact, what challenges need to be addressed to realize its potential, and how companies should consider blockchain and their business.

Fiduciary duty has become an imperative. While the industry’s response has been largely centered around pursuit of low-cost-fees and determining reasonable compensation, for most, the ‘best interest’ mandate could necessitate consideration of the need for guarantees and the transfer of financial risk. Come hear how industry experts view guarantees in a fiduciary world and how the DOL Fiduciary Rule may have a positive impact for insurance products.

The industry is rapidly developing ways to streamline the underwriting process and automate underwriting decisions. Doing so successfully relies on building solutions that incorporate expertise from a variety
of home office experts, and that also work well for distribution partners and consumers. This session will bring together the perspectives of home office staff such as underwriting, analytics, and legal, as well
as distribution.

Today’s empowered consumers use technology in practically everything they do. As such, it is important for financial services organizations to embrace and build a culture around technology solutions and create an engaging client experience. Companies can successfully align their digital initiatives along the customer journey to enhance existing client relationships and foster new ones. But, oftentimes, opportunity presents challenges. How do organizations position digital strategies today for success in the future? This session will explore how organizations are leveraging technology to enhance the customer journey and drive profitable growth for the future.

Hiring and retaining top employees has always been a challenge — more so during changing times. There is no question that our industry will continue to be turbulent. With newer generations entering the workforce at a higher rate, creating a demand for unique and different cultures, how are today’s HR teams getting creative to hire and retain top talent? This session will include various perspectives on successful approaches to solving this inherent challenge.

Will venture capital (VC) investors fund a revolution of ideas and solutions necessary to bring our industry into the digital age? This workshop will engage representatives for the VC world and the insurance-industry-focused entrepreneurs they support. Experience the  exciting realities of start-up companies trying  to deliver innovation to a historically slow-evolving industry.

Explore the evolving nature of cyber threats and options for protecting mission-critical capabilities as well as our privacy, national security, and future prosperity.

Close to forty percent of today's customer interactions take place during life events and most likely from mobile platforms. Delivering an excellent experience to customers means capturing many data points, applying sophisticated analytics and factoring in unknown parameters to develop probability views that predict with a high degree of certainty what customers will need in the near future, providing a clear line of site into opportunities to engage prior to the life event and deepen relationships. In this session we will discuss how one major insurance firm's marketing is tackling disconnected data and technologies to move far beyond basic segmentation methods with the application of strong prediction algorithms.

As consumers go online for everything, our industry continues to develop digital strategies to meet consumers where they are. With so many pieces to consider (websites, email, social media, analytics, search, etc.), where do we start and how can our digital strategy work for our entire enterprise? At this session, you will learn best practices for a digital strategy and hear from companies sharing their digital journeys and lessons learned.

How do we navigate the new environment in Washington, the context for policy and politics,  and the implications for the financial services industry, consumers, and the future? As a follow-up to his general session, Crawford will discuss the approach to advancing the industry with policymakers and consumers, and how to be relevant to today’s issues and challenges.

Building a better mousetrap — re-imagine product design and delivery to reach new untapped markets by uncovering the unmet needs of a new demographic. Several company case studies will give attendees insights into how to identify opportunities for pioneering new ideas — and how to bring those ideas to market.

In this timely presentation, John Boehner will address the current political situation, economic growth, and America’s role in the world. During his time in the House, Boehner focused on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth, addressing the drivers of America’s debt, and reforming Congress. He is respected on both sides of the political fence for his efforts to put the country first and find common ground without compromising principles. Having served with most of the current leaders of the House, he is uniquely positioned to discuss the current administration and its potential to affect our companies and consumers in the future.