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WINDSOR, Conn., July 28, 2026 — As the financial services industry confronts economic volatility, capital pressures, rising consumer expectations and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, LIMRA has announced the topics, themes and speaker lineup for its 2026 Annual Conference, taking place September 27–29 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. 

Under this year's theme, "Driving What's Next," the conference will bring together senior executives from across the life insurance, annuity and workplace benefits sectors for three days of candid, outcomes-driven dialogue on the forces reshaping the industry — from AI-enabled workforces and brand trust to leadership under pressure and shifting consumer behavior. Sessions are designed to move leaders beyond discussion and into action, equipping them with strategies they can bring back to their organizations immediately. 

“LIMRA’s Annual Conference brings together leaders from across the life, annuity, and workplace benefits industries to understand what's coming next," said Dave Levenson, president and CEO of LIMRA and LOMA. "With so many opportunities to learn, attendees will gain practical insights they can take back and implement right away." 

Conference Highlights 

Executives who attend will hear directly from: 

• Melissa Valentine, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and professor of Management Science at Stanford University, on AI-Ready Talent: Building the Workforce That Will Win What's Next — how organizations are redesigning work and building AI-enabled workforces to stay competitive. 

• Kevin Lane Keller, the E.B. Osborn Professor of Marketing at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, leading a panel of industry CMOs on Branding What's Next: Human-Centered Strategy for a Changing Insurance Customer — a candid look at what it takes to build brands that earn customer trust in a crowded market. 

• John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon, veteran political analysts, on Beyond the Noise: Understanding Competing Economic Ideas — the economic and political forces shaping the year ahead. 

• Chip and Joanna Gaines, founders of Magnolia and stars of HGTV's Fixer Upper, on how core values, creativity and principled leadership built one of the country's most recognized lifestyle brands. 

• Chef Tiffany Derry, restaurateur, television personality and co-founder of T2D Concepts, on Heat, Pressure, and Precision in Next Gen — perseverance, innovation and creating standout customer experiences. 

• High-level networking with peers navigating the same disruption across life, annuities, and workplace benefits. 

The LIMRA Annual Conference is the organization's flagship leadership event, bringing together senior executives from across the financial services industry to explore emerging opportunities, strategic innovation and the leadership mindset needed to navigate the future. 

For more information about LIMRA's 2026 Annual Conference, including registration and the full agenda, visit https://www.limra.com/en/events/conferences/limra-annual-conference/. 

Media Attendance 

Members of the media are invited to attend this event at no cost. To request complimentary registration or for additional information, please contact Brad Russell at brussell@limra.com. 

About LIMRA  

Serving the industry since 1916, LIMRA offers industry knowledge, insights, connections, and solutions to help more than 700 member organizations navigate change with confidence. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com.