How Can I Maximize My Conference Experience?

This week Drake Lawhead comes to visit us in Insurance Town to talk all things conference , and maximizing the conference experience. We get into what all goes into building a major industry event and how attendees can actually get value from showing up. They also dig into how ITC evolved from an investor-focused conference into a broader experience for agents, brokers, carriers, and the tech vendors serving them.We discuss why in-person networking still matters, how to prepare before a conference, and what makes ITC’s agent and broker programming different from a typical trade show.   00:00 - Welcome to Insurance Town and sponsor shoutouts   08:25 - What conference planning really looks like behind the scenes   09:36 - How conference teams handle complaints and reduce friction   11:42 - How attendees should prepare before a conference starts   13:25 - Why some people should attend with a plan and others should leave room for serendipity   15:46 - Why staying present beats taking conference-day Zoom calls   18:48 - Why in-person networking still beats digital connection   19:49 - How ITC’s app and meeting system help people connect fast   28:35 - Why insurance is a natural fit for technology and AI   31:09 - What ITC Agents attendees can expect from Tuesday through Thursday   33:43 - Expo hall, main stage, happy hours, and the closing concert   38:05 - Why ITC was built for introverts too   39:43 - Quiet zones, lounges, puppy park, and low-pressure networking   42:31 - How ITC borrows ideas from other conferences   45:01 - Why intentional networking matters more than just putting people in a room   46:45 - Why Drake enjoys the independent agency world   47:58 - Dates, location, and how to register   48:59 - ITC events around the world   50:49 - Final push to register and use the app   51:47 - Closing thanks and signoff   Thank you to my Sponsors:     Canopy Connect  1fort  Viva Virtual Solutions