Agenda for 2026
Monday, April 20, 2026
8:30 am - Golf Tournament - Join us at the Las Vegas National Golf Club (additional registration is required)
Association Meetings (members only)
2:00 - 2:45 pm Utah Captive Insurance Association - Business Meeting
2:50 - 3:35 pm Missouri Captive Insurance Association - Business Meeting
3:40 - 4:25 pm Oklahoma Captive Insurance Association - Business Meeting
4:30 - 5:15 pm Nevada Captive Insurance Council - Business Meeting
Continuing Professional Education Credits
We are pleased to offer Continuing Professional Education Credits for many sessions, as indicated by the ICCIE logo next to each approved topic.
3:00 - 4:30 pm - Captives 101
Speakers:
Sonya Berquist, Taylor Walker Victor Gallardo, Helio Risk Alison Mulikin, Aon
Before the main conference begins, attend the Pre-Conference Captive Insurance 101 session, This comprehensive overview is perfect for:
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New captive owners seeking to understand their structures and opportunities
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Professionals new to the captive industry who want to accelerate their learning curve
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Service providers looking to deepen their foundational knowledge
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Anyone wanting to maximize their conference experience with essential context
What You'll Learn:
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Comprehensive overview of captive structures and benefits
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Regulatory considerations across multiple domiciles
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Formation strategies and best practices
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Risk retention alternatives
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Pricing and funding fundamentals
This foundational session provides the framework to help you get the most value from every subsequent session, networking conversation, and exhibit hall interaction throughout the conference.
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Opening Reception
Exhibit Hall
Join us for a lovely evening where you will meet your friends, old and new, as we celebrate the opening of the Western Region Captive Insurance Conference!
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
EXHIBIT HALL 7:30 - 5:00 pm Exhibit Booths Open
EXHIBIT HALL 7:30 - 8:15 am Registration and Networking Breakfast
Sponsored by: Diamond Sponsors
General Session 8:15 - 8:30 am - Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:30 - 9:15 am Keynote Address
Breakout Session One
9:20 - 10:10 am Artificial Intelligence Risk
Speakers:
Maria Ganson, CHRISTUS Health System Lynn Sessions, Baker & Hostetler Heather McClure, Helio Risk, moderator
Attendees will learn about risk of AI emerging in construction, healthcare and other industries, and how captives can support their parent companies in stabilizing risk and participating in solutions.
Breakout Session Two
9:20 - 10:10 am RRGs: Emerging Developments
Speakers:
Joseph Deems, NRRA Lisa Poulin, Milliman Tina Truax-McCuin, NRRA
Attendees will learn the circumstances appropriate for utilizing an RRG as a solution for multi-state exposures.
Exhibit Hall 10:15 - 10:45 am Networking Break
Breakout Session One
10:45 - 11:35 am Amplify Women Session: Bridging the Gap
Speakers:
Melissa Hollingsworth, LA United Schools Andrea Monterrotti, Milliman Lauren Thomas, Harrington Group
A panel discussion focused on understanding generational differences to foster collaboration and innovation in the captive insurance industry.
The panel will discuss the characteristics and challenges of various generations and explore how they show up in the workplace.
Breakout Session Two
10:45 - 11:35 am 831b Captive Updates
Speakers:
Hale Stewart, Dickinson Wright Melissa Wiley, Kostelanetz LLP Sol Feinberg, SIGMA Actuarial Consulting Group, Inc.
Breakout Session One
11:40 - 12:30 pm From Structure to Substance: Governance that Defines Insurance for Regulatory and Tax
Speakers:
Doug Butler, WBB Alan Fine, Armanino Kacie Dillon, Silver Law
Session will examine how to understand market conditions across Property, GL and Auto lines. Also examine how captives can insulate against hard market premium volatility. Viewpoints will be presented from actuarial, underwriting and tax perspectives.
Breakout Session Two
11:40 - 12:30 pm Captive Advocacy: Supporting the Industry through Legislative Process
Speakers:
Kevin Doherty, Dickinson Wright Sandy Bigglestone, SRS Titanium Shawn Tarwater, KS State Rep
This session explores how captive insurance professionals can effectively engage in advocacy to protect and advance the interests of the captive industry. This session will provide an overview of the legislative process, highlight the role of industry stakeholders in shaping policy, and share practical strategies for communicating with regulators and lawmakers.
FEATURED General Session 12:30 - 1:15 pm Lunch - including Insurance Commissioners Fireside Chat featuring:
Commissioner Ned Gaines, NV Commissioner Glen Mulready, OK Commissioner Jonathan Pike, UT
FEATURED General Session
1:15 - 1:45 pm Hot Topics
Speakers:
Leon Rives, RH CPAs Renea Louie, Sotera Global Management Heather McClure, Helio Risk Joseph Marcantel, Talisman Insurance Co
A forward looking discussion on emerging trends, regulatory developments and strategic challenges shaping the captive insurance industry.
Breakout Session One
1:45 - 2:40 pm Best Practices for Captive Investments: Strategy and Innovation
Speakers:
Anjannette Folwer, PNC Jack Meskunas, Oppenheimer Madeline Jacobs, Jacobs & Coolidge Laura Phillips, Wilmington Trust
This session examines how captive insurers can develop investment strategies that balance risk, liquidity, and long-term performance in an evolving financial landscape. This session will explore best practices in portfolio construction, governance, and regulatory considerations, while also highlighting innovative approaches and emerging opportunities in captive investment management.
Breakout Session Two
1:45 - 2:40 pm Guns, Drugs, and Money – Insuring Unusual Risks
Speakers:
Matt Grimes, CIO Nat'l Martha Hayes, Larson Stephanie Liu, Utah Dept. of Ins. Kyle Sweet, Helio Risk
Psychedelics Assn Captive
Attendees will learn how hard to place risks fit within captive vision and mission.
Breakout Session One
2:45 - 3:40 pm Municipality Risk Management
Speakers:
Eryn Brasovan, Womble Dickinson Joe Streck, Innovative Captive Strategies Jerry Faiella, MEBCO
Session examines municipal risk management from an insurance perspective. Focus is on how municipalities identify, assess and transfer risk through effective insurance and loss control strategies.
Breakout Session Two
2:45 - 3:40 pm Captives as a Strategic Asset - Value Beyond Market Timing
Speakers:
Luke Renz, Captives.Insure Tim Svoboda, Connor Strong Buckelew Heather Graziani, Accelerant Sam Raphael, Milliman
BREAK 3:40 - 4:10 pm Break with Exhibitors
General Session
4:15 - 5:10 pm Captive Tax update
Speakers:
Kristyn Lawler Crowe Allan Autry, Johnson Lambert Bailey Roese, Dentons Blake Kerr, ENDVR CPAs
Attendees will receive a refresher on qualifying as insurance for tax purposes and an update on recent developments in US and state tax law for captives. Attendees will learn how to spot issues related to tax in their captive programs and learn the current landscape for captive taxation.
Evening Social Event - Top Golf
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Join us for an evening of networking and fun. You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy the experience. Separate registration is required.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
EXHIBIT HALL 7:30 - 12:00 pm Exhibitor Booths Open
7:30 - 8:30 am Networking Breakfast
General Session 8:15 - 8:30 am Opening Remarks: Recap of Day 1 and What to Expect Today
8:30 - 9:10 am Keynote Speaker
General Session
9:15 - 10:10 am You Ought to tell your Regulator, But...
Ben Whitehouse, Butler Snow Alan Fine, Armanino Mark Weideman, Tennessee Dept. Jonathan Habart, Marsh
Commerce & Insurance
This session explores what insurance regulators expect from organizations in today’s evolving risk and compliance landscape.
General Session
10:20 - 11:15 am Is this Insurance? And what if it isn't?
Speakers:
Chaz Lavelle, Dentons Robert Walling, Pinnacle Diana Hardy, RH CPAs
Presentation will explore the various accounting, actuarial and tax tests to determine whenther an arrangement is insurance.
Panel will discuss the importance of these tests and the consequences of not being insurance for each of these disciplines.
EXHIBIT HALL
11:15 - 11:45 pm Break with Exhibitors
General Session
11:45 - 12:30 pm Regulator Roundup
Speakers:
Heather McClure, Moderator with State insurance Regulators
Victoria Fimea Arizona Steve Kinion Oklahoma Sam Komo Missouri Michael Reynolds Nevada
Travis Wegkamp Utah Mark Wiedeman Tennesse Jeff Wilson Iowa
Attendees will receive firsthand information on captive issues from the perspective of the individuals responsible for captive regulation.
12:30 pm Closing Remarks & Announce 2027 Dates
*All information is subject to change - Please check back regularly for updates
