2020 Group & Worksite Benefits Virtual Conference Agenda

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - EXHIBIT HALL OPEN

11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - GENERAL SESSION

Evolution of the Broker

2020 has brought uncertainty, disruption and change to the employee benefit landscape and the market in general.  In this panel discussion, these individuals will focus on addressing some key questions in today’s broker environment including the impact of Covid-19 on the way they do business, how to grow and retain customers in a market of change and disruption, key employee benefit trends and what they are looking for in today’s landscape for a carrier of choice for their clients.

Garry E. Hill - Partner, Sterling Seacrest

Marc Stevens, RHU - Senior Strategy Consultant, Main Street Insurance Group

Christy Westerman - Employee Benefits Consultant, Marsh & McLennan Agency

Megan Holland, CEBS, GBDS, RPA, Moderator - Vice President, Distribution & Marketing, Workplace Solutions, Mutual of Omaha

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.: BREAK / HOT TOPICS DISCUSSION

BREAK

Hot Topic 1: Managing Work From Home as an Employee During the Pandemic

Join us for a Hot Topics Discussion to explore ways to Manage Work From Home as an Employee During the Pandemic.

This is your opportunity to discuss how to balance your work/home life with your peers from the industry. Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion.

Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

Hot Topic 2: Challenges Employees are Facing in the Current Environment

Join us for a Hot Topics Discussion to explore the Challenges Employees are Facing in the Current Environment.

Discuss various ways that carriers can provide support to the employees with your peers. Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion.

Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - GENERAL SESSION

BIG NEWS! U.S. Elections and COVID-19

The Election is right around the corner and COVID-19 continues to disrupt the U.S. business market. Please join Sun Life’s James Slotnick and LIMRA’s Pat Leary to review the likeliest outcomes and impacts on the workplace benefits industry from the most important events in 2020, including:

  • Key battleground states and potential outcomes for the House, Senate and POTUS
  • Navigating furloughs, grace periods, remote work and stimulus legislation
  • Potential impacts for insurers
  • Q&A with the experts

Bryan Burke - Director, Voluntary Products, Sun Life

Patrick T. Leary, M.B.A., LLIF - Corporate Vice President, Workplace Benefits Research, LIMRA and LOMA

James Slotnick, JD - Assistant Vice President, Government Relations, Sun Life Financial U.S.

1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.: BREAK / HOT TOPICS DISCUSSION

BREAK

Hot Topic 3: How to Best Utilize Technology to Support Workplace Benefits

This Hot Topics Discussion is hosted and moderated by our Premier Sponsor, Vitech.

Join us for the opportunity to explore How to Best Utilize Technology to Support Workplace Benefits. Participants will explore what’s new in enrollment, available tools, employee/employer portals on carrier websites, latest in education and communication tools, premium payment options, streamlining claims management, and more.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

Hot Topic 4: Future of Employee Benefits - New Benefit Options to New Products

This Hot Topics Discussion will explore what is in store for the Future of Employee Benefits - New Benefit Options to New Products.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1. Paid Family Medical Leave

WILLIAM ALPINE, Director, Department of Family and Medical Leave, State of Massachusetts; ERIC GEORGE, Esq. President, Insurance Association of Connecticut; JEFFREY WASCO, Sales Director, Guardian; Moderator: TODD DZEN, Assistant Vice President, Product, Symetra.

Paid Family & Medical Leave regulations are proliferating around the country.  What do insurers need to know about Massachusetts PFML as it nears its launch date and Connecticut PFML as rulemaking begins to take shape?

  • Hear directly from the Director of Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave as the benefit start date looms soon
  • Learn how the MA PFML Private Plan market is taking shape and understand what employers are looking for in a carrier to handle their MA PFML program
  • Gain key insights on CT PFML, including an understanding of how the CT program both looks like and looks different from MA

2. The Level Commission Enrollment Event: The Tale of Carrier Led Solutions

SARAH OLIVER, 2nd VP Head of Enrollment, Guardian Life; MICHAEL MORONEY, Sr. Director, Sales Enablement, USAble Life Insurance Company; Moderator: BIJIT DAS, Assistant Vice President, Worksite Products, Guardian Life

During this session, the presenters will provide the group information on the general standard of very high upfront heaped commission costs to writing VB business in the <250 segment. Topics will include types of costs, what do they support, and how they can have a long-term adverse impact.  After this initial discussion, a pilot idea will be presented on how to use underwriting protocols in a full transparency broker model to shift to a level commission model. The benefits of level commission will be explained through a recent case study to be debriefed by a sales rep and broker that have tried this. The goal will be to myth bust the need for heaped commission and show an alternative path that can benefit carrier and broker partnerships.

2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - BREAK

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - GENERAL SESSION

Addressing Racial Equity – A Societal and Business Imperative

The death of George Floyd and subsequent protests has triggered many carriers, customers, and employees to challenge long-held views and assumptions about the role they play in addressing racial injustice and racial equity.  Passivity or corporate philanthropy alone are no longer options.  Many companies are making public statements on their position and having unprecedented internal discussions about systemic racism and the actions they should take to address them.  Understanding how to navigate and lean into this difficult topic will help to ensure that firms remain relevant in the eyes of their customers, brokers, and prospective and current employees.

Maurice Kuykendoll - Vice President, Corporate Controllers, Prudential Financial, Inc.

Foon Lew - Vice President and Group Actuary
Employee Benefits Actuarial, The Standard

Edward J. Peña - Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Tammi Wortham - Vice President, Human Resources, Sun Life U.S.

Jessica Vanscavish, Moderator - Vice President Business Insights & Underwriting Optimization, Prudential

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - EXHIBIT HALL OPEN

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - GENERAL SESSION

A View from the Top

Every year at our event, industry leaders share their thoughts about today's most important topics. This is your opportunity to hear what's on the minds of these executives as they focus on our role in shaping the new benefits landscape.

Rob Grubka - President, Employee Benefits, Voya Financial

Harry S. Monti - Executive Vice President, Benefits Division, Symetra Financial Corporation

John Stanley - Senior Managing Director, Employee Benefits, Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Gene Lanzoni, Moderator - Assistant Vice President, Thought Leadership – Group & Worksite Marketing, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.: BREAK / HOT TOPICS DISCUSSION

BREAK

Hot Topic 5: Support Employers with Leave Management Programs/Services

This Hot Topics Discussion is hosted and moderated by our Premier Sponsor, FINEOS.

Navigating the regulatory environment is challenging, especially when it comes to leave management. With peers from the industry, you will discuss how to best Support Employers with Leave Management Programs/Services and how these benefits and services can impact core benefits.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

Hot Topic 6: Opportunities and Threats in Workplace Benefits

Join us for a Hot Topics Discussion on the various Opportunities and Threats in Workplace Benefits.

Explore with your peers how the pandemic, low interest rates, racial inequity, and virtual work each impact workplace benefits.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.: CONCURRENT SESSIONS

3. Complete Wellness

MEGHAN BELINSKI, Vice President, Strategy Financial Wellness and Engagement, MetLifeDR. JOSEPH F. COUGHLIN, Director, MIT AgeLab; Co-Moderators: VINCENT BRANCHESI, National Director, Group Benefits Center of Excellence, MetLife; ALLISON WILLIAMS, Senior Manager Business Development, Transamerica

In the Complete Wellness panel discussion you will learn from industry-leading researchers about how employers can best support the holistic wellbeing of their employees.  Through benefits packages and programs that address physical, financial, mental and social health, employers can support the multigenerational workforce through the immediate uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic while also helping them prepare for a retirement rich in wealth and health.   The panelist will share their extensive experience on what it means to support the Complete Wellness of an employee as well as new insights on solutions, workplace culture, and comprehensive benefit packages. This panel discussion will feature Dr. Joe Coughlin, Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Agelab, Meghan Belinski, Vice President, Strategy Financial Wellness and Engagement at Metlife and Vince Branchesi, National Director, Metlife’s Group Benefits Center of Excellence.    

4. Selling and Marketing Group Benefits during COVID-19

CORA HALL, Assistant Vice President of Group Benefits Marketing, The Hartford; DENNIS B. HATCHER, Vice President, National Account Sales, Prudential Group Insurance; MATTHEW MONTMINY, Vice President, Group Benefits Product and Strategy, The Hartford; BILLY FARMER, Vice President, National Distribution, Wellfleet Workplace.

In March, when the country entered our initial COVID-19 lockdown, the way workplace benefits carriers market their products changed overnight.  Carrier rep travel all but stopped as brokers and clients move their operations out of their offices and closed their locations to visitors.  Zoom, Skype and telephonic sales calls are the new norm, and sales teams across the industry have had to adapt.  This session will explore how carriers, brokers and marketers have handled these changes and discuss best practices for selling in a virtual environment.

1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.: BREAK / HOT TOPICS DISCUSSION

BREAK

Hot Topic 7: Selling and Marketing Group Benefits During COVID-19

This Hot Topics Discussion will dive deeper into topics presented during the workshop Selling and Marketing Group Benefits During COVID-19.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

Hot Topic 8: Challenges Employers are Facing in the Current Environment

Join in on the Hot Topics Discussion: Challenges Employers are Facing in the Current Environment to explore various ways that carriers can provide support to employers.

Just like in our study groups, registrants will have an opportunity to actively participate in this Hot Topics Discussion. Please explore the other Hot Topics Discussion sessions and sign up for any that are of interest to you. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: CONCURRENT SESSIONS

5. Mythbusters – Uncovering the Truth about Voluntary Benefits

Moderator: HOLLY LEAN, Sr. Mgr, Broker Sales Strategy & Execution, Aflac; KEVIN McFADDEN, Director, Premier Technology Relationships, Aflac; MIKE GRIMES, Esq., Advisor; PAM HANDMAKER, Sr. Director, Product and Innovation, Voluntary Benefits, Trustmark 

In this session we will explore the truth about topics regarding technology, legal/regulatory, product, and how recent global events have impacted our industry. After attending this session you will equipped to help debunk the myths that plague our industry and set the record straight!

6. Benefits Technology From the Broker's Perspective

ANNE BURKETT, CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, National Practice Leader, HR Technology, Employee Benefits, USI; BOB CROOM, Executive Vice President Employee Benefits Leader, Acrisure; BRAD MANDACINA, CEBS, GBA, CMS, RPA, Vice President, Director of HR Technology, Lockton; NANCY SANSOM, Chief Commercial Officer, PlanSource

Come join a discussion with a panel of experts from top brokers and benefit administration firms, as they share their vision for how technology can better support the delivery of benefits and how carriers can help them achieve that goal. Session participants will have an opportunity to understand key trends related to Benefit Administration, Human Capital Management (HCM), and other technology systems to help automate and improve brokers ability to provide value to their customers, including HR benefit professionals.  This will be an interactive discussion with the audience on topics ranging from fee practices, data quality, and deeper product integration that extends beyond enrollment.

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - BREAK

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - GENERAL SESSION

Physical Offices Not Required for Winning Workplace Cultures

Being recognized as a "great place to work" can help your organization by attracting high quality recruits and keeping your current employee base engaged and delighted. More importantly, studies have shown that great workplace cultures deliver greater financial results and enhanced client satisfaction.

Steven Handmaker will share the secrets behind Assurance's celebrated and award-winning workplace culture in this surprising session. You'll learn tips for implementing similar strategies in your own workplace, whether in-person or virtual — and that the majority of things which breed cultural success don’t cost a thing.

Steven Handmaker - Chief Marketing Officer, Assurance

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - CLOSING COMMENTS & ADJOURNMENT