Morning - Afternoon

Arrivals

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Networking Session for Women of FirstChoice sponsored by Little Dog Social Media

Women of FirstChoice: Connect, Empower, Lead

Get ready for a dynamic and inspiring networking session designed exclusively for the Women of FirstChoice at this year’s In Motion Independent Agent Member Conference presented by Nationwide. This gathering is more than just a meet-and-greet—it’s a space to build meaningful connections, share experiences, and elevate one another in both personal and professional journeys.

Expect engaging conversation, facilitated introductions, and a few surprises that will leave you feeling energized and inspired. Together, we’ll explore how to strengthen our collective voice, support perpetuation and innovation, and continue driving impact within FirstChoice and beyond.

Building Your Personal Brand: Standing Out in a Competitive Industry

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive marketplace, a strong personal brand is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or industry professional, your personal brand shapes how others perceive your expertise, leadership, and value. During this session, Brooke Liu, MarshBerry Senior Vice President, explores the key elements of building an authentic and influential personal brand, showcases how to define your unique value proposition, and how to leverage digital platforms to expand your reach.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand what personal brand really means—and what it doesn’t.
• Learn how to identify and articulate the values that define your leadership style.
• Establish a powerful personal brand that not only enhances career opportunities but also fosters long-term professional growth and impact.
• Walk away with a framework to refine and activate your personal brand across all aspects of your professional life.

Presented by Brooke Liu, MarshBerry Senior Vice President, and Diane Wagner, FirstChoice Vice President 

Maryland Ballroom- 4/5/6

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Welcome Reception sponsored by Amwins

Maryland Foyer

Dinner on own with carriers and Strategic Partners. Browse the more than 40 restaurants in the National Harbor district here. 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Trade Show & Breakfast 

Maryland Ballroom- B/C/D

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Southeast ( AL, FL, GA, MS, SC ) - Maryland 4
• Mid-Atlantic ( DC, MD, NC, VA ) - Maryland A/1/2/3
• Northeast ( CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT ) - Chesapeake D/E
• South Central ( AR, LA, OK , TX ) - Maryland 6
• Midwest ( IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, TN, WI, WV ) - Chesapeake F
• West/Plains ( AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY ) - Maryland 5

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Trade Show & Lunch

Maryland Ballroom- B/C/D

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

As market dynamics shift and competition intensifies, growth requires more than ambition—it demands a clear strategy. Join Keith Captain, President, FirstChoice, for this exclusive FirstChoice Member Briefing where he offers a focused look at the trends, benchmarks, and opportunities shaping agency expansion today. Gain insights into how peer firms are positioning for scale, accelerating performance, and how to fully leverage your FirstChoice membership benefits to drive meaningful results.

Maryland Ballroom- A/1/2/3

1:45 PM- 2:45 PM 

In today’s rapidly evolving insurance landscape, long-term success hinges not just on adaptation—but on intentional perpetuation. Join Phil Trem, MarshBerry President, for a strategic exploration of the current state of the industry. This session uncovers the forces reshaping the market, the challenges threatening agency longevity, and the opportunities ripe for those ready to act. Learn what you must do today to strengthen your agency’s value, sharpen your competitive edge, and build a perpetuation-ready business that thrives for generations to come.

Maryland Ballroom- A/1/2/3

2:45  PM - 3:00 PM

Networking Break

3:00 PM- 4:00 PM

Join NFL Hall of Famer Jerome "The Bus" Bettis for an inspiring session that goes beyond the gridiron. In "My Life In and Out of a Helmet," Bettis shares the powerful story of his journey growing up in Detroit to the heights of Super Bowl glory—and the lessons learned along the way.

With honesty, humor, and heart, Bettis explores:

• Overcoming Adversity: How he navigated early challenges and found purpose through sports and family.
• The Realities of the NFL: A behind-the-scenes look at the physical and emotional toll of professional football.
• Beyond the Game: So much more than a football player, he dedicated his time off the field to give back and became the 2001 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
• Life After the Final Whistle: His transition into business, broadcasting, and philanthropy—and what it means to leave a lasting legacy.

This featured session is more than a sports story—it’s a human story about resilience, reinvention, and the power of staying true to your values.

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

All-Member Dinner & Trade Show

Maryland Ballroom- B/C/D

8:00 AM- 9:00 AM

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Accelerate Agency Growth Through Smarter Technology

Technology isn’t just a support function—it’s a growth engine. Agencies that strategically leverage the right tools can unlock new revenue streams, scale operations, and deliver standout client and employee experiences. But without a clear roadmap, it’s easy to fall behind.

In this dynamic discussion, Chris Cline, Vice President Sales – Alliance Partners, Applied Systems, will guide you through how to assess, evolve, and optimize your agency’s technology ecosystem to fuel sustainable growth. You’ll learn how to identify high-impact opportunities, eliminate friction, and align your tech investments with your most ambitious business goals.

What You’ll Gain:

• Growth-Focused Tech Considerations: Learn how to evaluate your current systems through a growth lens—spotting what’s holding you back and what can propel you forward.
• Uncover Bottlenecks & Breakthroughs: Use proven frameworks to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and untapped potential across your operations.
• Strategic Alignment: Discover how to connect your technology roadmap directly to revenue goals, client expectations, and market differentiation.
• Define Your Custom Tech Growth Plan: Leave with practical guidelines you can use to drive immediate action and long-term strategy.
• Confident Decision-Making: Whether you’re modernizing legacy systems or exploring AI and automation, gain the clarity to invest in what truly drives growth.

Presented by Chris Cline, VP, Sales, Alliance Partners- Applied Systems 

Maryland Ballroom- A/1/2/3

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Maryland Ballroom- B/C/D

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track A: Fueling the Future: Strategies to Accelerate Organic Growth

In a market where competition is fierce and growth expectations are high, achieving sustainable organic growth requires more than just traditional tactics. Join Eric Kuhen, MarshBerry Vice President, as he explores the key performance metrics, evolving market dynamics, and innovative approaches that high-performing agencies are using to thrive.

Discover how data and analytics can unlock insights that enhance client engagement, streamline operations, and inform strategic decision-making. Whether your goal is to boost productivity, deepen client relationships, or increase revenue per producer, this session provides a roadmap for driving measurable and lasting results.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the essential metrics that drive and measure organic growth.
• Learn how to use data and analytics to uncover growth opportunities.
• Explore operational strategies that improve efficiency and scalability.
• Discover ways to strengthen client relationships and retention.

Presented by Eric Kuhen, MarshBerry Vice President of Growth Advisory

Maryland A/1/2/3

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track B: From Hire to High Performer: Smart Ways to Hire, Train, and Retain

In today’s fast-paced environment, attracting and developing talent requires new thinking, sharper strategies, and greater adaptability. Join Diane Wagner, Vice President, Education & Planning, FirstChoice, and Bryan Lake, MarshBerry Vice President, as they explore how leading agencies are modernizing their hiring, training, and development practices. From sourcing and assessing the right candidates to designing compensation strategies that motivate and retain, this session will equip you with tools and insights for building high-performing teams.

We’ll also examine how evolving technologies and the rise of Virtual Employees are reshaping recruitment and onboarding processes. Learn how to leverage FirstChoice resources to accelerate productivity and long-term success across your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to identify and attract top talent in a competitive and evolving marketplace.
• Understand assessment tools and hiring practices that align with performance outcomes.
• Discover compensation models that incentivize growth and retention.
• Explore how to onboard and train new hires for faster productivity.
• Gain insights into optimizing talent strategies through virtual and hybrid workforce models.

Presented by Diane Wagner, FirstChoice Vice President of Education & Strategic Planning, and Bryan Lake, MarshBerry Vice President of Investment Banking & Consulting

Maryland 4/5/6

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track C: Strategic Planning That Sticks — Embedding Success at the Core of Your Business

A strategic plan is only as effective as its execution. In this hands-on workshop, Christine Marciano, FirstChoice Regional Vice President, walks participants through the process of building a strategic plan that goes beyond theory — one that becomes a practical, living framework for day-to-day decision-making and long-term success.

Participants will engage in guided exercises to assess current planning practices, identify areas of opportunity, and begin crafting a roadmap that aligns with their firm’s goals. The workshop will also explore tactics for embedding strategy into daily operations, leadership accountability, and continuous adaptation.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a foundational approach to strategic planning tailored to your business
• Learn how to operationalize strategy and track progress over time
• Leave with tools to create an actionable, measurable, and evolving plan

Whether you’re starting fresh or reworking an existing plan, this session provides the structure and support to embed strategic planning at the core of your firm.

Presented by Christine Marciano, FirstChoice Regional Vice President

Chesapeake D/E/F

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Trade Show & Lunch

Maryland Ballroom- B/C/D

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track A: Fueling the Future: Strategies to Accelerate Organic Growth

In a market where competition is fierce and growth expectations are high, achieving sustainable organic growth requires more than just traditional tactics. Join Eric Kuhen, MarshBerry Vice President, as he explores the key performance metrics, evolving market dynamics, and innovative approaches that high-performing agencies are using to thrive.

Discover how data and analytics can unlock insights that enhance client engagement, streamline operations, and inform strategic decision-making. Whether your goal is to boost productivity, deepen client relationships, or increase revenue per producer, this session provides a roadmap for driving measurable and lasting results.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the essential metrics that drive and measure organic growth.
• Learn how to use data and analytics to uncover growth opportunities.
• Explore operational strategies that improve efficiency and scalability.
• Discover ways to strengthen client relationships and retention.

Presented by Eric Kuhen, MarshBerry Vice President of Growth Advisory

Maryland A/1/2/3

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track B: From Hire to High Performer: Smart Ways to Hire, Train and Retain

In today’s fast-paced environment, attracting and developing talent requires new thinking, sharper strategies, and greater adaptability. Join Diane Wagner, Vice President, Education & Planning, FirstChoice, and Bryan Lake, MarshBerry Vice President, as they explore how leading agencies are modernizing their hiring, training, and development practices. From sourcing and assessing the right candidates to designing compensation strategies that motivate and retain, this session will equip you with tools and insights for building high-performing teams.

We’ll also examine how evolving technologies and the rise of Virtual Employees are reshaping recruitment and onboarding processes. Learn how to leverage FirstChoice resources to accelerate productivity and long-term success across your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to identify and attract top talent in a competitive and evolving marketplace.
• Understand assessment tools and hiring practices that align with performance outcomes.
• Discover compensation models that incentivize growth and retention.
• Explore how to onboard and train new hires for faster productivity.
• Gain insights into optimizing talent strategies through virtual and hybrid workforce models.

Presented by Diane Wagner, FirstChoice Vice President of Education & Strategic Planning, and Bryan Lake, MarshBerry Vice President of Investment Banking & Consulting

Maryland 4/5/6

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Track C: Strategic Planning That Sticks — Embedding Success at the Core of Your Business

A strategic plan is only as effective as its execution. In this hands-on workshop, Christine Marciano, FirstChoice Regional Vice President, walks participants through the process of building a strategic plan that goes beyond theory — one that becomes a practical, living framework for day-to-day decision-making and long-term success.

Participants will engage in guided exercises to assess current planning practices, identify areas of opportunity, and begin crafting a roadmap that aligns with their firm’s goals. The workshop will also explore tactics for embedding strategy into daily operations, leadership accountability, and continuous adaptation.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a foundational approach to strategic planning tailored to your business
• Learn how to operationalize strategy and track progress over time
• Leave with tools to create an actionable, measurable, and evolving plan

Whether you’re starting fresh or reworking an existing plan, this session provides the structure and support to embed strategic planning at the core of your firm.

Presented by Christine Marciano, FirstChoice Regional Vice President

Chesapeake D/E/F

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Networking Break

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Woodward on Washington: An Economic, Policy, and Political Outlook

What do interest rates and inflation, complex labor force dynamics, and evolving geopolitical risks mean for your business? What pressing challenges will Congress and the White House face in 2026 and beyond? Drawing on her extensive experience as an economist on Capitol Hill and an analyst on Wall Street, Joan Woodward will share her economic, public policy and political outlook in this data-driven, analytical and nonpartisan presentation. Woodward, the Executive Vice President for Public Policy at Travelers, will explore how the White House and Congress’ decision-making may impact insurance, tax and trade policy, and the broader economy all leading up to the 2026 midterm elections. Also, as President of the Travelers Institute, she will preview their latest programs and educational initiatives.

Presented by Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy President of The Travelers Institute

Maryland Ballroom- A/1/2/3

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM