2026 Annual Conference
October 20-22, 2026
Loews Philadelphia
Join us October 20–22, 2026 in Philadelphia for the premier gathering of insurance data management professionals. This annual event brings together industry leaders, practitioners, and innovators to explore the future of data in insurance through education, collaboration, and practical insight.
This year's theme, "The Connected Future of Insurance Data," explores how organizations are bringing together data, technology, governance, and AI to create more intelligent, efficient, and customer-focused insurance operations. Through thought-provoking keynotes, expert-led educational sessions, interactive discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, attendees will gain practical insights into emerging trends, data-driven innovation, AI implementation, regulatory considerations, and the foundations needed to support the next generation of insurance decision-making.
Join us as we shape the future of insurance data together.
Event Details
Registration
Registration Fees
| Early Bird Registration On or Before September 6, 2026 | Regular Registration After September 6, 2026 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Member | $1,595 | $1,695 |
| Nonmember | $1,795 | $1,895 |
Registration Confirmation
You will receive a detailed email confirmation upon successful completion of the registration process for this event; please make sure to enter a valid email address on the registration form. If you have any questions regarding your registration, please e-mail info@idma.org or call (317) 280-3589.
To ensure you don’t miss out on important updates, we kindly ask you to add our email address info@idma.org to your email whitelist. This small step will help make sure our emails reach your inbox instead of ending up in your spam folder. This is usually accomplished by adding our email address to your email program’s ‘Contacts’ or ‘Safe Senders’ list.
If you are receiving our emails through a company email system, you may need to ask your IT support to whitelist our email info@idma.org. This would help ensure our emails get through to everyone at your business.
Registration Cancellations
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@idma.org.
The following cancellation rules apply to event registrations only. Please see sponsor and exhibitor service agreements for applicable rules regarding these items.
Cancellations on or Before September 21, 2026
Cancellation requests received in writing between the time of registration and 29 days prior to the first scheduled day of the event: Event registrations can be transferred to another individual at no cost or refunded minus a $50 cancellation fee.
Cancellations After September 21, 2026
Cancellation requests received within 28 days of the first scheduled day of the event: IDMA will not refund registration fees. However, all registrations can be transferred to another individual at no cost.
ADA Accommodations
In accordance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any requests for accommodation to that disability. Please submit your request as far as possible in advance of the program.
Agenda
Agenda is subject to changes.
All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
| 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk |
| 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
| 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk | Designation Help Desk |
| 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. | Welcome Remarks |
| 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. | Keynote Address: AI Implementations in 2026: The Pilot Phase is Over New data from carriers shows AI has moved decisively from experimentation to production, with adoption nearly doubling year-over-year. This session examines where carriers are deploying AI, what's driving the scaling tax, and how to close the gap between early wins and enterprise readiness. — Jack Krantz, Strategic Advisor | Datos Insights |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Data Governance Goes Agentic: Bringing Agents and Context Into Data Governance Traditionally, the work of data governance and data stewardship has been tremendously time-consuming: Setting up standards, managing and governing data assets, documenting lineage, triaging issues, and chasing down data owners. A lot of this can and should be challenged now with AI and agentic workflows - given the right context. During this session, participants will gain insights into key principles to enable agentic workflows for data governance. — Alon Nafta, Co-Founder/ CEO | Foundational Data |
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Standards Before Systems: Building AI- Ready Insurance Data Foundations Property and casualty insurers are investing in analytics, automation, and AI , yet many organizations struggle to generate consistent, trustworthy insights. The challenge is rarely a lack of technology. More often, insurers face fragmented definitions, inconsistent mappings, disconnected business rules, and weak data governance practices that undermine downstream reporting, operational efficiency, and AI performance. This session connects foundational data management concepts to practical insurance execution by showing how open insurance data standards, governed business rules, and AI-ready data foundations can reduce remapping friction, improve regulatory readiness, strengthen data quality, and support more dependable underwriting, claims, actuarial, and operational decisions. The session will highlight how standardized insurance data models and governance frameworks improve data quality, regulatory alignment, and operational efficiency while creating a stronger foundation for advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning initiatives. It will also examine the organizational, architectural, and governance practices required to transition from fragmented, siloed data environments to scalable enterprise-wide insurance data standards adoption. — Robert Clark, CEO | Cloverleaf Analytics |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | From Hiring Stewards to Supervising Agents: Rebuilding the Data Governance Operating Model For decades, standing up governance meant recruiting stewards, custodians, and owners from the business units and growing headcount as domains expanded. Agentic AI changes the question from who executes the work to who supervises it. This session walks through a steward's day before and after agent implementation, showing how manual tasks (documenting definitions, building DQ rules, tracing lineage, assigning retention and sensitivity) collapse into review-and-approve workflows. Attendees leave with a clear picture of how stewardship roles evolve from production to oversight, and what that means for staffing a data management organization. The session also includes a practical comparison of roadmaps to maturity for a mid-size P&C carrier: the traditional path (hire, train, and ramp a steward network) versus the same plan re-sequenced when agents supply execution capacity, covering what changes and what stays the same. — Conrad Wojtan, Director of Governance | PremiumIQ |
| 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Digitalization & Value Creation: Creating Sustainable Advantage in a Digital World The insurance technology landscape is undergoing a rapid shift in focus – from digital transformation to AI adoption. While priorities once centered on core modernization, cloud migration, and process automation, insurers now face rising customer expectations, ecosystem demands, and ongoing cost and operational pressures. In this environment, sustainable performance depends on digital maturity – the ability to align technology, data, operations, and culture in a cohesive end to end execution model. Drawing on ACORD’s study of the digital capabilities of more than 200 insurers worldwide, this session will highlight how digitally mature organizations consistently outperform peers in profitability and shareholder returns. The session will explore what differentiates top performers – from cloud enabled architectures and governed data foundations to embedded workflows, disciplined capability investment, and leadership driven culture – and how these capabilities translate into measurable business outcomes. Importantly, it will address why many AI initiatives stall, and how insurers can overcome structural barriers such as legacy systems, fragmented data, and integration complexity. Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable framework to assess their organization’s digital maturity and a set of “no regret” moves to scale digital capabilities, unlock AI value, and drive sustained competitive advantage. Use this immersive session to try new tools, learn the skills of prompting, and experience the benefits (and risks!) of AI in a safe and fun environment. — Dave Sterner, SVP Research & Development | ACORD |
| 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | A Data Governance Framework to Jumpstart or Refine Your Data Governance Function Learn about a data governance framework that was created and deployed by a practitioner at a manufacturing company; deployed into insurance, government, and consumer package goods companies; written into a book and is now a live consulting offering to jump start or refine your full data governance function. This framework has many associated templates and examples and can be easily sized for quick adoption and to meet you where you are at with your journey. — Kim Wienzierl, Advisory Data Lead | Exavalu |
| 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. | IDMA After Dark When the sessions conclude, the fun begins! Join your fellow IDMA attendees, an evening of great food, lively conversation, music, and celebration. Enjoy cocktails, reception, dinner, and dancing while strengthening connections with peers from across the insurance data management community. Whether you're catching up with long-time colleagues or making new connections, this is the must-attend social event of the conference. Come ready to relax, network, and make lasting memories |
Thursday, October 22, 2026
| 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk | Designation Help Desk |
| 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Annual Meeting of Members Data Consumption & Data Operational Efficiencies= Insurance Workbench Data is only part of the equation for P/C Insurers—how you transform, integrate, and deliver that data is what truly unlocks its value. The insurance industry, with its complex workflows, regulations, and diverse data sources, requires robust tools for processing and managing data seamlessly. The concept of an “insurance workbench” that supports data interchange and end-to-end processing is spot-on for the future of the ecosystem. By enabling smooth transitions from web-based processing to seamless data exchange from external and internal sources, such a solution can improve operational efficiency, compliance, and ultimately customer experience. Are you exploring solutions along these lines, or working on any specific parts of the “workbench” ecosystem? Come and listen to experienced technology leaders in the industry. — Mark Roth, Vice President | Insurance Nerds — Jay Bell, COO | Zurich Construction Business — Bruce Broussard, Managing Director | Percipience — Tim Gambocurta, Vice President, US Data & Solution Architect | Ascot Insurance |
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | Stable Foundations Make Strong Insights: Vocabulary, Rules, Data, and AI With all the advancements in data and AI technology, companies are getting more and more comfortable giving employees – and sometimes even customers – access to insight-generating and decision-making tools. How do we know if these tools are returning the right information? How can we give these tools, and therefore the users, the best chance of success? It all begins with setting the right foundation – ensuring that vocabulary is consistent so that we can all speak the same language. We then need to agree upon rules, which lead to clean data and explicit knowledge, which is the foundation for good inputs into AI. In this presentation, we will discuss how to build a stable foundation to enable strong insights, focusing on implementation practices, cultural adoption, and tips and tricks that we have learned over the years. — Vanessa Lam, Principal | BRS |
| 10:45 – 11:00 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | AI Regulation: What Data Leaders Need to Know As AI adoption accelerates across the insurance industry, regulators are increasing their focus on governance, transparency, accountability, and data quality. This session provides an overview of emerging AI-related regulatory developments, highlights key state initiatives currently under consideration, and explores what may be coming next. — Lauren Dalton, Partner | McDermott Will & Schulte LLP |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Data Quality for Unstructured Data Ensuring data quality has long been foundational for managing structured sources. However, the explosive growth of unstructured data, ranging from documents, emails, and chat transcripts to image, videos and audio files, demands updated approaches. As organizations race to unlock the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, the need for robust, business-aligned unstructured data quality practices has become urgent and strategic. This presentation demystifies some of the quality challenges associated with unstructured data assets. — C. Lwanga Yonke, Founder & President | Padouk Consulting, LLC |
| 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. | From the Back Room to the Boardroom: Building Real Influence as a Data Professional in Insurance & Closing Remarks Grounded in real experience inside a 130-year-old life insurance company, this session will explore what it takes to move from technical data steward to someone who actively shapes strategy. We will discuss how to translate governance work into business language, how to build credibility with executives who have never opened a data catalog, and how to lead cross-functional initiatives without formal authority, budget ownership, or direct reports. Additionally, the session will also examine the unique characteristics of the insurance industry, its risk-oriented culture, legacy infrastructure, and cautious approach to change, and explain why understanding this context is critical for influencing decisions. — Walter Bixby, IV, AVP, Finance & Investment | Kansas City Life Insurance Company |
Speakers
 Bruce Broussard Managing Director Percipience |  Jay Bell Chief Operating Officer Zurich Construction Business |  Robert Clark CEO Cloverleaf Analytics |  Tim Gambocurta Vice President, US Data & Solution Architect Ascot Insurance |
 Jack Krantz Strategic Advisor Datos Insights |  Vanessa Lam Principal BRS |  Alon Nafta Co-Founder/ CEO Foundational Data |  Mark Roth Vice President Insurance Nerds |
 Dave Sterner Senior Vice President, Research & Development ACORD |  Kim Wienzierl Advisory Data Lead Exavalu |  Conrad Wojtan Director of Governance PremiumIQ |  C. Lwanga Yonke Founder/ President Padouk Consulting, LLC |
 Walter Bixby, IV AVP, Finance & Investment Kansas City Life Insurance Company |  Lauren Dalton Partner McDermott Will & Schulte LLP |
Hotel & Travel
Loews Philadelphia
1200 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-1200
Hotel Reservations
IDMA Annual Conference attendees are responsible for making their own travel and hotel arrangements. A set number of rooms are available at the group rate for registered conference attendees until Friday, September 25, 2026, or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first. After this time, the hotel has the right to sell any available rooms at a rate which they choose. While IDMA studies past attendance trends and the needs of our members, we cannot guarantee rooms will be available. Please plan ahead and secure a reservation as soon as possible to receive the group rate.
Rate: $279 plus taxes per night
IDMA Annual Conference attendees are responsible for making their own travel and hotel arrangements. A set number of rooms are available at the group rate for registered conference attendees until Friday, September 25, 2026, or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first. After this time, the hotel has the right to sell any available rooms at a rate which they choose. While IDMA studies past attendance trends and the needs of our members, we cannot guarantee rooms will be available. Please plan ahead and secure a reservation as soon as possible to receive the group rate.
Airport Information
The Philadelphia International Airport is approximately 12 miles from the Loews Philadelphia.
Ground Transportation
Taxis and rideshare are available at the Philadelphia International Airport. Transportation to/ from the airport will take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Parking
Valet parking is available at the Loews Philadelphia for $60 + 25% service charge per night.
Self-parking options are available within two blocks of the hotel. Self-parking garages are not managed by the hotel and costs may vary.
Sponsors
For more information on sponsoring the IDMA Annual Conference, please contact the IDMA team at info@idma.org.
FAQs
My plans have changed, and I am unable to attend. What do I do?
Please refer to the cancellation portion of your confirmation email.
How do I make hotel reservations?
Discounted reservations are available through September 25, 2026. Please refer to the Hotel & Travel information.
How can I access event materials?
Please refer to the link in your pre-conference communication to access event materials.
What is the suggested attire for business and social gatherings?
Business casual attire is appropriate for all educational sessions, receptions, and meal functions.
Where will the 2026 IDMA Annual Conference events be held?
All conference events will be held at the Loews Philadelphia.
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS
