The 2026 Expo was a tremendous success. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to April, Michelle, and the entire Big I MN team for their exceptional leadership and execution. Their work continues to elevate this event and deliver meaningful value to our members year after year.

At the time of writing, our MN Big I leadership team has just returned from the Big I National Convention in Washington, D.C. This was my first opportunity to attend both the convention and visit D.C., and I strongly encourage each of you to consider participating at some point in your career. The experience was highly impactful.

Our advocacy efforts this year were focused on several critical priorities, including preserving the deductibility of health insurance premiums for our commercial clients, advancing the Fix Our Forests Act, reauthorizing both TRIA and the NFIP, and addressing the growing concern of legal system abuse through third-party litigation funding. I left Washington encouraged by the level of bipartisan alignment on these issues and the opportunity we have to influence meaningful outcomes for our industry.

As I shared during my remarks at InsurCon, it is essential that we, as individuals, actively support our state and national PACs. By law, contributions must come from individuals, not our businesses, making your personal involvement even more important. With approximately 25% legislative turnover anticipated in Minnesota this year, including the retirement of several long-standing advocates for our industry, the need to educate and engage new legislators has never been greater. Access is earned through participation, and our collective support directly strengthens our voice. I encourage you to contribute at a level that is meaningful for you.

I also want to remind you that Big I MN remains your premier resource for high-quality professional education. With outstanding leaders such as Jean Sundlof and Gloria Thompson guiding these efforts, we are uniquely positioned to support your continued growth. As you and your teams pursue designations such as CIC, CISR, and other Alliance programs, please be sure to register through the Big I MN Master Calendar. Your participation directly supports the strength and sustainability of our association.

Looking ahead, I encourage you to prioritize attendance at the 2026 LeadHERship Conference on October 21 at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley, Minnesota. This event has quickly become a cornerstone of our fall programming. With expanded capacity to 200 attendees, demand will be high, and we expect it to reach capacity quickly.

Finally, I ask for your partnership in continuing to grow our association. If you know agency owners or professionals who are not currently members of Big I MN, please make the introduction. Our team is well-equipped to demonstrate the value we deliver—through education, technology consulting, legislative advocacy, leadership development, E&O and cyber programs, compensation advising, and dynamic engagement opportunities for emerging agents.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our industry and to one another. I wish you a productive and successful spring season.