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Kaylee Williams: Hey everybody. Welcome back. to the Iowa Tech Podcast. We are in our brand new studio thanks to Jet Rose Barbecue, our favorite barbecue joint in town. Um, I am here today in the brand new studio with Julie Pierce. Now some of you in the ecosystem probably know Julie. She’s been involved in the insurance sector for quite some time, and she’s the co-chair of year’s Global Insurance Symposium. Um, so that event will be coming up in April.

Julie Pearce: That’s correct? April 14th and 15th at the Iowa Event Center.

Kaylee Williams: Perfect. And I contacted. Julie. I was like, Hey, we should have you on, uh, the Iowa Tech Podcast because this is the confluence of innovators, um, insurance executives, uh, different, um. Organizers and partners associated with the insurance industry. I mean, it is truly the place to be. And this is Des Moines, right? Yes, We’re

Julie Pearce: Absolutely.

Kaylee Williams: We’re an insurance capital of the world. Absolutely. the GIS is a, a flagship event and has gone through some evolutions in the last, you’ve been a part of that.

Julie Pearce: I I have been a part of that, so it’s been great. Um, uh, so excited to be here, Kaylee. Thank you so much for having me. Uh, this is the 12th year running for the Global Insurance Symposium, and it has gone through evolutions as every, every event has. Uh, post pre and post COVID, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, this year we’re really excited to bring in over 500 executives from the industry, both from Des Moines as well as outside of Des Moines and even globally, to really highlight the next, uh, evolution. of insurance risk management and innovation as, as we move forward. And so this year’s Theme is insurance in an era of possibilities. And so, uh, that really highlights, uh, where the industry is headed into the future.

Kaylee Williams: I imagine AI will be a big part of the conversation this year. Yeah. did that help. the theme?

Julie Pearce: Uh, I would say yes and no. Uh, I would say, uh, If, if anybody knows, uh, chance, uh, at the Iowa Insurance Division, uh, he, he, he was the one that kind of led us down. Maybe a little Taylor Swift theme, but I think it fits in pretty well with where the industry is headed, uh, in these. uh, currently AI will definitely be highlighted. We’re, we’re definitely featuring how AI will hit, um, in particular the talent sector. Yeah. So we have a lot of, uh, ai, uh, uh, Companies coming in to speak on that panel, but also HR executives and highlighting, uh, basically the collaboration and, and the, the coworking that’s going to be done in the future between, uh, potentially AI and the insurance, uh, individuals.

Kaylee Williams: such an exciting, time and there isn’t an industry that AI won’t and hasn’t already yes. Yes. Um, you know, there are a lot of stakeholders in this town who care a lot about insurance and I think, um, this is such a unique event because it takes place in Des Moines, but also because It is the culmination of the Global Insurance Accelerator’s Accelerator’s 100 day program. Can you talk a little bit about what that means and what it looks like at the symposium?

Julie Pearce: Yes. So, uh, Dan Israel and the team at the Global Insurance Accelerator really have done a tremendous job of bringing in six global, uh, startups that are currently working through their a hundred day program. And these individuals. Some of them have ideas, some of them already have a product,

Kaylee Williams: Yeah.

Julie Pearce: but really are looking to network as well as to pitch you where they feel the industry is headed into the future and how they Fit into the larger ecosystem. And so it’s gonna be really exciting. Uh, Dan and his. Team have done a tremendous job. They get to pitch on the second day, so April 15th. Mm-hmm. Um, they each get to do about a six to seven minute pitch on stage and highlight all of the mentors that are, uh, in the Des Moines metro area, helping those companies, um, move forward their ideas as well. well as Around the nation. I know that there are some that are not based here in Des Moines, and each of those, um, startup companies are so excited to work with the executives and, and to learn more about the industry and how best to integrate in the in the most, uh, possible way. Mm-hmm.

Kaylee Williams: And not only will there be a pitch event for the Insurance Accelerator participants, there will be a future of Insurance Showcase. case. Yes. Tell Tell us a little. bit about that. What does that look

Julie Pearce: Yeah, so the future of Insurance Showcase really is day one’s highlighting of the tech ecosystem as well as, uh, any, I would call it startup company that would want to come and feel like they have a good integration into the program. The future of Insurance Showcase really highlights, uh, each of these companies get to have a three minute pitch on stage in front of the executives that are attending the event. Last year we had over. 500, uh, Industry level executives and regulators, Wow. uh, Wow. Uh, in attendance for this particular event. Um, in addition to pitching on stage, you also get a table that will allow you to, um. Present your solution or have, uh, individuals come up and network with you. Um, at the event there is designated networking time on day one specifically to, for executives to walk through and to connect with you as an innovator. And then at the end of the day, um, each of the companies that are there and, and attendees get to pick the best in show. And so the best. In show, uh, company executive will get to be on stage, get to receive an award and get to announce, um, their company as the best in show for the 2026 Global Insurance Symposium,

Kaylee Williams: I would imagine for. the winner of that, that’s a pretty big deal in front of 500 decision makers In this industry.

Julie Pearce: Exactly. Uh, uh, last year’s winner was, uh, over the moon, um, and, and got, I would call it several key contacts from, from that, uh, best in show as well as just networking across, uh, the industry. And so, uh, if you want to be in the room where decision makers are there, uh, highlighting your solution and, and the value that you can bring to the industry, this is the place you wanna be on April 14th.

Kaylee Williams: So tell me a little bit about your background. How did you get, involved with the symposium? And you’re the co-chair?

Julie Pearce: Yes. for, it’s, this is not your first year doing this. No, for a while. a while. Yes. thank you. I’ve been, uh, involved in the Global Insurance Symposium for about seven years, so, um, both pre and post COVID timeframe. And what really attracted me to the Global Insurance Symposium is it’s put on by industry executives. So the industry is very heavily involved in the content and making sure that that There’s a right balance between innovators as well as. quality contacts, uh, from across the globe coming in to to talk about key issues and, and key topics that are happening in the industry that everyone needs. To be privy to as well as involved in as so we can move the industry forward. What I will say is, um, this event has gone through multiple evolutions, but right now I think we’re kind of in a sweet spot. It’s, it’s a day and a half event, which allows the right level of networking to take place as well as enough. Uh, it’s enough time that a senior level executives want to fly in. Specifically for this event and, and, then allow innovators to connect with them in multiple different ways. Uh, I’ve heard of some of the great networking that takes place the morning before, and so, uh, innovators have connected with some of the SW seats. seat Sweet seat lettable executives. Mm-hmm. um, having breakfast and then coming over, being part of the future of Insurance Showcase and then attending the event, uh, later in the next day. And so, um, I think right now where the industry is at and where we’re headed. these types of Events, especially here in Des Moines, are so important to continue to drive the ecosystem here that, that’s needed. We’re bringing in some really good global speakers this year. Um, we’re having, uh, innovators, um, Sorry. regulators come from Bermuda to talk about how they have Evolved their payment processing through different stable coins and connecting those globally as well as how that has evolved with the Stable Coin Act that has just taken place last year and, and how the US can really evolve and move forward from an insurance industry perspective. Um, some of the other ones are on kind of global reinsurance. Which it everybody knows is part of the, the capital ecosystem that really has highlighted, um, eco. avenues of connecting across the globe as well as where there’s opportunities to drive new innovations. Um, within insurance as well as the reinsurance marketplace. So excited to hear that and everybody’s favorite. The CEO panel will, will tap tap us out for the event this year. Again, um, bringing in several global, um, I would call it speakers, as well as some locally here in Des Moines that, that you won’t wanna miss. And Terry Vaughn has agreed to moderate that panel and so everybody knows. Terry, who’s a innovator at heart, but also wants to see this industry continue to grow here in Iowa. So we’re excited to have her, uh, moderate that CEO panel that’s gonna be,

Kaylee Williams: a full room.

Julie Pearce: yes,

Kaylee Williams: I have to believe that’s. gonna be a full room. And, um, what a cool way to bring together your, again, your executives and your decision makers and, and you’re almost manufacturing these collision points with innovators who they may not otherwise have ever had the ability to really connect with. I mean, you can send, as an entrepreneur, cold emails Yes. All along. Yes, Absolutely. Yeah. You’re not gonna get it. get in a room with that executive unless you attend an event like this.

Julie Pearce: Absolutely there is built-in networking breaks specifically to highlight, um, opportunities for you to connect as well as there’s soft seating areas if you want to just pull an executive aside and have a quick conversation, um, as well as some smaller rooms. So if you want to demo a solution for an executive, there’s no better place for you to have the decision makers in the room and to really highlight with them. Most of these executives also bring along somebody that maybe is one or two levels below to expose them to the event, um, which, which usually is your guys’ biggest advocate as an innovator, right? They see the possibilities.

Kaylee Williams: your and and they’re your champion

Julie Pearce: within that organization and can really drive that innovation forward. So I’m excited to hopefully have many of you attend. Um, there is still possibilities if you want to be part of the future of Insurance Showcase. Um, please, um, let us know. Um, I can give Kaylee some additional information, but the Global Insurance Symposium website is out there. Um, you can register right online, make it. Quick and easy. There’s no cheaper ticket. I believe it’s $550 for you to get in for both days. Uh, if you wanna have somebody else be a part of the future of Insurance Showcase that’s on your team, uh, a a reasonable ticket of $200 will get a second member of your team. Nice. and to, to that event. And so, um, this will, will allow you to maximize the networking possibilities that are out there and hopefully get that best in showcase award at the end of day one.

Kaylee Williams: Yeah. Does everybody who’s in the future of Insurance showcase get the opportunity to compete to become that everybody show?

Julie Pearce: Yes. Everyone who registers for the future of Insurance Showcase, um, gets an opportunity to pitch, have a table, and become the best in show for that particular day. So you have the best opportunity available, right? Um, get your pitch ready to go and, and be ready to network with the executives that are in the room.

Kaylee Williams: so if I am, we talked a lot about entrepreneurs, which is, you know, that’s. I Have a bent towards innovation entrepreneurs. But let’s, let’s talk a little bit about, um, young professionals working in the insurance industry. If I am, you know, kind of entry level or maybe even like a mid-level, Yeah. Um, employee any of these insurance companies in Deight. should go to this event?

Julie Pearce: Yes. So I would say talk with some of, talk with your manager. Um, most of the companies that are part of these, this event are sponsors of the event, and they also get some level of a discounted ticket. So you, your organization may already be a sponsor of the event. All of the sponsors are listed online. Um, but. but Talk to them, talk to your mid-level or or executive manager and see if your company can get you in for a discounted ticket. I would say all aspects of the insurance ecosystem are going to be highlighted at this year’s event. And so if you’re in PNC, there’s a dedicated panel specifically around bolt-on products that can really highlight how you can innovate even within different product sets within the. The PNC industry, um, uh, if you’re on the life and health side right now, private credit is a huge topic point, uh, in investing in private credit and investing in private companies. And so this panel will really highlight where, uh, some of the large, uh, companies, asset managers, and their investment teams are headed within that current ecosystem. Um, we, we have. If you’re a risk manager, there’s a dedicated risk management panel specifically for you on where that aspect of, uh, risk management is headed. And as technology continues to enter into the ecosystem, that will be a, a huge topic along with AI on how each of these companies are managing that and where. See that headed as we move forward.