At the opening of the FICP (Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals) annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Denver, an indoor drone show gave the 700 attendees a sense that this was going to be a different kind of conference.
Among the many new features are recurring “Brain Dates,” which invite people to choose a topic for 45 minutes of in-depth discussion instead of typical meeting chatter.
Braindate topics range from demystifying DMC pricing to empowering small business owners to be resilient and prosperous.
The planning team still keeps a close eye on popular speakers from past conferences.
Meeting U President Jim Spellos led the panel as they shared their practical experiences using generative AI for everything from seating charts to attendee surveys. Mike Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, presented research on the global economy and geopolitics as well as the state of the hotel industry.
Two inspirational keynote speakers – former NFL Pro Bowl running back Justin Forsett and elite UFC/MMA fighter Justin Wren – hail from the world of sports. Denver, the nation’s smallest city and home to four major professional sports teams, including the Denver Broncos, was a hit with the evening reception at Tom’s Watch Bar overlooking Coors Field.
Sustainability at the forefront
There were many green meeting elements – aluminum cans of water instead of plastic bottles, saplings instead of cut flowers as centerpieces, recyclable paper key cards instead of plastic. FICP also brings in environmentally responsible amenity providers, such as Joycoast Sunglasses, which plants 10 trees for every pair of sunglasses sold.
All this is part of FICP’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Events Certification from the Event Industry Council, and the team, led by FICP Events Director Ellie Hurley, shared their experiences during a fireside chat.
Megan Henshall, head of partner strategy and engagement at Google, founder and chief impact officer of The Neu project, attended a keynote speech on neurodiversity. She was joined by Rachel Lowenstein, founder and chief creative officer of The Neu Project.
Both speakers were diagnosed with autism as adults, and they shared their personal stories and discussed aspects of live events that may pose challenges for this population. Sensory support kits are provided throughout the week for neurodiverse attendees.
Following in the tradition of corporate social responsibility, FICP hired Impact4Good’s Alan Ranzer organizing team to package 1,200 meals for Boys and Girls Clubs in the Denver metro area. All proceeds from the FICP Silent Auction are donated to The Below and Beyond Foundation, which awards two $10,000 grants to the hotel’s outstanding frontline hospitality workers.
The final night pays homage to Colorado’s beautiful Red Rock Amphitheater, with the hotel’s ballroom bathed in sunsets, massive rock formations and creative local dining, including whiskey tastings.
FICP will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2027 and announced at the conference that the celebration will take place at the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico from November 7 to 10. Next year’s annual meeting will be held November 2-5 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
