CE Sessions

As part of the General Session, we will recognize our 2025 Award Recipients for Agency, Agent, and Young Agent of the Year. We will recognize our 2025-2026 Board of Directors, and participants of the Rising Insurance Professionals Program.

Navigating the Storm: How Catastrophe Models, Market Strategy, and Resilient Design Are Shaping the Future

From convective storms and derechos to wildfires and hurricanes, the frequency and intensity of severe weather events are escalating—and so are the challenges for insurers, agents, and their clients. How is the insurance industry responding? How are catastrophe models influencing underwriting and pricing? And is it practical—or even possible—to build a more resilient future?

This opening General Session will explore these questions across three dynamic segments:

Inside the Models
A look at how catastrophe models are developed and how they're being used by insurers to evaluate risk, determine rates, and prepare for claims after disaster strikes.

Market Response
A deep dive into how insurers are adapting—both in current practices and long-term strategies—to address climate volatility, capacity challenges, and future exposures.

Building for Resilience
An exploration of what’s possible in resilient construction, roofing, and design. We’ll examine whether updated building codes, zoning laws, and stronger materials are practical, enforceable, and affordable.

Join us for a timely, eye-opening session that will equip you with a broader understanding of the forces shaping insurance today — and the proactive strategies needed for tomorrow.

What’s in the rental car contract you signed but didn’t read? Is the Loss Damage Waiver a rip-off? Is that credit card coverage legit? How does your personal auto respond? Learn the answers and discuss several “horror story” claim scenarios involving rental cars in this outstanding one hour program from instructor David Thompson.

Are you getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to your membership?  Join us for a rapid-fire challenge to provide an overview of our new association benefits…and some old favorites.  Presenters will share info on valuable association benefits – and how to make the most of them! Topics include: Market Access, Advocacy, Marketing, Phishing Training, and other solutions for your agency. Time won’t be wasted on any one program – when the buzzer dings, it’s on to the next item.  If presenters beat the buzzer, extra time will be added to the end of the session for Q&A.  But don’t worry - we won’t leave you hanging! Big I staff members can take your questions at any time.

Session Description Coming Soon.

The biggest challenge a business often faces with cybersecurity is their culture. Whether you want to improve your own culture or are helping clients, this session will equip you with the knowledge needed to improve your odds of success. After helping businesses address cyber risk for nearly a decade, I’ve seen this play out time and time again. Join me in this session as we dig into the factors at play and how they can hinder security initiatives, as well as how to begin building a strong culture.

Vehicles, houses, garage space, swimming pools, scooters, e-bikes and many other exposures stemming from the shared economy require special attention from an insurance standpoint. Insurance pros who take this course will better understand the breadth of sharing exposures, how they’re addressed in common insurance policies, and how to obtain adequate coverage.

Part One will cover:

• e-Bikes

• e-Scooters

• TNC’s

• Turo

• Time shares

• Boat Club

Why hack your systems when you could just trick an employee? Join us for a non-technical look at the easiest way into most businesses. We'll walk you through the most common cyber threats facing your office today: phishing and business email compromise (BEC). These aren’t just buzzwords - they’re real risks that can lead to wire fraud, data breaches, and serious business disruption. Learn why email-based attacks are so effective (and so dangerous), how to recognize the signs of a phishing or BEC attempt, simple steps you can take to secure your email systems, and tips you can share with your team today.

No question is too hard. We have assembled a panel of industry leaders with a combined 130+ years of insurance experience and knowledge. If you can stump them with a scenario,  your scenario may be unsolvable. The five individuals take education and learning to the next level by always seeking solutions to complex problems. Don't miss an opportunity to stump the expert with complex insurance scenarios that you don't see every day. Come out to try to stump your peers and prove to them that they still need to learn something every day as we all should. Our panel and area of expertise: 

Sandy Falco, CIC, CISR, TRIP - Commercial Lines - Sandy has 35+ experience in insurance dealing with commercial products and sits on the Big I Illinois education committee. 

Brian Ogden - Personal Lines - Brian is the President/Owner of Ogden Insurance Agency, Inc. and has 34 years of experience in insurance dealing with all aspects of insurance. Additionally, Brian sits on the Big I Illinois board.

Luke Sandrock and Tyler Sandrock - Farm Insurance - Luke is a Partner in The Cornerstone Agency and has 17 years of experience in insurance dealing with Farm and Crop insurance as well as other lines. Additionally, Luke sits on the Big I Illinois Board and as well as on the Big I Crop Insurance Subcommittee. Tyler is a insurance professional specializing in Farm insurance for 13 years and sits on the Farm Agents Council.

Brett Gerger, CIC - Regulatory - Brett has 33 years of experience in drafting, interpreting, regulating, and consulting on insurance laws and rules. Additionally, Brett is the Big I Illinois Education and Agency Resources Director.

At the end of class you will be able to identify the Specialist, Master, Guru, and Oracle.

If you have a complex scenario or issue, please submit prospective questions for the categories listed to Brett no later than September 15, 2025.

ISO may be the base but not all forms read the same on some of the most common coverages. Knowing the differences between your forms could make claims go more smoothly and keep insurance professionals away from E&O.

Cyber risk hits agencies on three fronts: as an advisor to their insureds, through a wide range of tightening regulations, and their own risk of attack or accidental breach. This non-technical session will change the way you look at cyber risk by providing a simple framework for how to look at risk-based cybersecurity and how to apply it. Use this information to be a better advisor to clients, meet requirements like the new Oklahoma Insurance Data Security Law, and to better understand how to tackle new risks like those that come with AI.

Vehicles, houses, garage space, swimming pools, scooters, e-bikes and many other exposures stemming from the shared economy require special attention from an insurance standpoint. Insurance pros who take this course will better understand the breadth of sharing exposures, how they’re addressed in common insurance policies, and how to obtain adequate coverage.

Part Two will cover:

• Uber Eats and other delivery services

• Rent your pool

• Rent your dock

• Rent your garage

• Car condominiums

• VRBO, etc.

• Home swapping

• Rent your house for the Superbowl

*Counts towards three hours of the necessary credit toward the E&O discount.
*Satisfies the IL Ethics credit requirement.

This engaging and eye-opening session brings a fictional—but all-too-realistic - errors & omissions case to life in a courtroom setting. You’ll follow the twists and turns of a trial involving an insurance agent and serve as the jury after hearing the evidence. If you’ve ever wondered how everyday agency decisions could play out under legal scrutiny, this is a must-attend.

Upon completing this session, participants will:

• Understand the perils associated with not properly updating coverage

• Recognize the importance of properly completing certificates of insurance

• Identify the problems that changes in operations can present

• See the potential problems with electronic communications

• Learn how an insurance claim is calculated when property is not insured to value

• Understand the E&O exposure from not properly handling an account

• Serve as a jury for the proceeding after hearing the facts

Stay for this interactive CE session and walk away with practical insights that could help protect your agency from a real-world lawsuit.