Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
None

CONNECT

Button


Bob Jones
Bob Jones
Big I CT Chair of the Board
Senior Vice President
Fairfield County Bank Insurance Services


Lounsbury
Lisa Lounsbury
President
Big I Connecticut


Woodward
Joan Woodward
Executive Vice President of Public Policy 
Travelers


Cox
Joseph Cox
Marketing Director
Trusted Choice


Furst
Julie Furst
VP of Marketing, Communications & Events
Big I Connecticut


Campany
Dan Campany
VP Innovation, Head of IoT 
The Hartford


McFarland
Cheryl McFarland
Customer Solutions Manager
IoT Innovation Lab at The Hartford

November 9, 2023

Aqua Turf Club  |  Plantsville, CT

Even if you only attend one insurance event this year, it should be CONNECT 2023. 

This one-day event was crafted specifically for CT agencies. You know who you are. The ones driven towards success. The businesses who look for insights that only the industry’s foremost thought-leaders can provide. The leaders who build value in their organization and simultaneously empower team members to super-serve customers. The team members who engage with customers to help them protect what matters most.


CT agencies are strong and committed. And CONNECT will give you the information, tools, and connections to do more.

Insights you'll learn: The state of the market - and what’s coming, pro tips for communicating in a hard market, which tech platforms agencies are using and how each impacts value, and the IOT you need to understand that will impact risk and rates. Attend the morning session and afternoon insights, receive 3 LRE CE!

You’ll also connect with best-in-class solution providers and network with people who can make a difference. And...be entered for cash prizes.


REGISTER NOW

AGENDA


9:00 – 9:30  |  Registration 
9:30 - 9:45  |  Welcome 
Big I Connecticut Chair of the Board, Bob Jones, and President, Lisa Lounsbury, will bring you up to speed on how the association can help you and set the stage for what's to come.
9:45 – 11:45  |  Eye Opener  |  Morning Program
  • State of Connecticut Update 

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

    Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers; President of the Travelers Institute  
    Joan Woodward will share her economic, public policy and political outlook in this data-driven analytical presentation.  She will also discuss the most pressing challenges facing the new Congress and the Biden Administration in 2023.  What do higher interest rates, coupled with the highest inflation rates in 40 years mean for your business and can the U.S. avoid a recession?  Will legislation recently passed by Congress, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act, bring relief to consumers and businesses?  Joan will explore those issues, as well as what the upcoming elections might mean for insurance, tax policy, and the economy. 

  • Communicating Value in a Hard Market, with Impact & Ethics

    Joseph Cox, Marketing Director at Trusted Choice
    Julie Furst, Big I Connecticut 

    During these challenging times, with rising premiums in a hard market, independent insurance agents are more important than ever. We'll dive into the communications and marketing tools you can use to navigate the current market conditions successfully, all while maintaining the ever-important ethical code we uphold. You'll learn about sample scripts, talking points, and forms, and we'll have a little fun.
11:45 – 12:45  |  Industry Marketplace/Exhibit Hall  
You're in the driver's seat. Interview top solutions for your agency, learn about tools you've never heard of, hobnob with a carrier, see what peers are looking at, grab some fun swag and enter to win prizes.
12:45 – 1:45  |  Roundtable Luncheon 
Sponsored by W&K Restoration
Our new luncheon style amps up networking at your table with peers, carriers, and solution providers. This is where communities strengthen and you build relationships with people you can call on for help.
1:45 - 2:30  |  Dessert in Industry Marketplace/Exhibit Hall 
Grab coffee and dessert in our industry marketplace as you connect with top solutions for your agency. Plus, door prizes will be awarded, and Best Booth Swag award will be given.
2:30 – 3:30  |  Afternoon Insights  |  Tech Block
Sponsored by Catalyit
  • Mission Critical: Agency Tech & Avoiding Cyber Pitfalls

    Catalyit 
    Technology is mission-critical in an agency. Really any business today. And every tech choice you make could open you up to a legal exposure. This quick session will share insights into
     which tech platforms other agencies are using, and how they rate each piece, which tech to implement to increase your agency's value, and the 3 cybersecurity questions you have to review for each part of your tech stack.  

  • IOT Innovation Lab: Show & Share

    Dan Campany, Head of IoT Innovation Lab, The Hartford
    Cheryl McFarland, Customer Solutions Manager, IoT Innovation Lab, The Hartford  

    IoT (internet of things) refers to connected devices that collect, share, and act on information. Virtual assistants, thermostats, water sensors, appliances, security cameras, and watches are being used by our industry to help predict, prevent, detect, mitigate losses, and determine risk. Join us for this enlightening session to see the tools in-person that are driving this change and learn the critical info about their use and the laws & regulations around each item to help your customers. 

    Cash Prize Awarded 


3:30 - 4:30  |  Cocktails & Conversations
Connect with peers, industry leaders, and solution providers for a drink and snack when the bar opens at the back of our program room to cap off the day. Live music and fun connection.

Pricing
Registration includes lunch, programming, networking, and CE credits.

Early (Ends September 30)   Member: $125  |  Non-Member: $175
Regular (October 1st - 31st)  Member: $150  |  Non-Member: $200
Late (Starting November 1st)  Member: $175  |  Non-Member: $225



Questions? Contact Allison Just:

Allison Just, Event Coordinator
ajust@bigict.org
Phone: 860-563-1950 EXT 249

We have the best sponsors because they believe in Independent Agents and support the work you do.

Industry friends, be part of CONNECT.
Start those connections now with a sponsorship.  We'll get your name out there and provide networking opportunities (lunch and social reception) at CONNECT.  Get the details below and then sign up.  Sponsorships are first come, first served.

Sponsorship Opportunities


Contact Allison Just at ajust@bigict.org if you have any questions.


Your health and safety  are important to us.  We will follow CDC guidelines at CONNECT.




Learn & Earn Sponsor
Available


Lunch Sponsor
W&K Restoration


Networking Sponsor
Reserved

Afternoon Insights Tech Block Sponsor

Catalyit​


Welcome Sponsor

Available


Refreshment Sponsor

Available

Cash Prizes Sponsor

Available

Raffle Sponsor
Available

Lanyard Sponsor

Available

CONNECT Bag Sponsor

CNA Insurance​

CONNECT Supporter 
Multiple Available

Exhibitor Registration at CONNECT is Open 

Innovative solutions.  Cool tech tools.  New ways to do business.  
Our exhibitors are ready to help you and your agency succeed.  

Industry partners, we want you in our Exhibit Hall.  Show us what you've got!
This is an amazing opportunity to meet with CT agents. CONNECT offers you dedicated exhibit time, personal introductions to agents, and an opportunity to earn CE...all in a relaxed and casual environment. The Exhibit Hall will sell out quickly.

Learn more about exhibiting at CONNECT.



Ready to exhibit? Click the button below to secure your spot.



Your health and safety are important to us.  We will follow CDC guidelines at CONNECT.