May 2025

This periodic series is my way of staying connected with you—sharing updates, reflections, and a look at where we’re headed. Whether it’s highlights from a recent event, progress on a new initiative, or insights from conversations with members, I hope these posts help keep you informed and engaged as we continue moving IMUA forward.

May 2025

As I look back on IMUA’s 94th Annual Meeting—my first as CEO—I’m incredibly grateful for all the people who made it possible. There’s a lot to be proud of, but more than anything, I’m thankful for the conversations, the energy, and the unmistakable sense of momentum.

Even though it seemed to go by in a flash, we welcomed 401 attendees to Bonita Springs, Florida— including two scholarship students from Illinois State University’s Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management and two from St. John’s University’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science. That is just shy of last year’s record of 405 attendees. Given that this year’s meeting overlapped with both spring break and the Jewish holiday of Passover, that number exceeded our expectations. As you may have noticed additionally, participation in our golf tournament and optional activities did hit new highs.

And we couldn’t have asked for better weather! The week before the meeting, it was pushing 90 degrees. The week after, same thing. But for the days we were together, the skies held clear, the sun was out, and we had the kind of mild temperatures that make you want to linger just a little longer outside.

Perhaps most importantly, the feedback we’ve received—both anecdotal and through the post-event survey—was overwhelmingly positive. Compared to last year, the percentage of respondents rating the overall meeting as either “Excellent” or “Very Good” climbed from 85% to 92%. Venue ratings showed a similar increase, a testament to not only the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Coconut Bay, but also to the tireless planning and efforts of Lillian Colson, Eileen & Allie Monreale; our new incredible photographer, Deven Cuttino; our MC extraordinaire, Gina Domitrovich; our Annual Meeting Education Committee including the ad-hoc committee working with the speakers comprised of Vicky Hartman, Alexander McGinley, and Jason Muise;  and our presenters; along with innumerable Hyatt staff. These numbers reinforce what we heard throughout the week: people left feeling like their time was well spent.

At the opening of the conference, I mentioned that in my first three months with IMUA, I’d spoken with more than dozens of members, board participants, and industry partners. Four common themes emerged about what IMUA does particularly well:

• High-quality education and training
• A premier annual meeting that stands out in the industry
• A strong sense of community
• A willingness to adapt and invest in the future

We also talked about opportunities to grow:

• More meaningful engagement with brokers
• Creating certification or designation programs
• Strengthening regional committees and local chapters
• Broadening the depth of our educational content

This summer, we’ll be conducting a member-wide survey to help prioritize these areas—and others that surfaced in those conversations. I’d encourage everyone to take a few minutes to share their views when that launches. It’ll help shape where we focus our energy next.

Before I wrap up, I want to address something that many of you have been thinking about since the final day of the meeting. That morning, we learned that Mike Riedinger, a friend and colleague to many in our community, had passed away. At the time, the details were few and the investigation was still active. We shared what we could, and then—as Officers of the Board—we had to make a decision about how to proceed. We considered everything: a public acknowledgment, a moment of silence, even canceling the remainder of the meeting. But with so little known and so many conflicting emotions, we decided to move forward with the day’s events. Did we make the right decision(s)? That’s ultimately for all of you to decide, but it weighed heavily on all of us.

In the weeks since, we’ve been working closely with IMUA’s Southeast Regional Committee to find a way to honor Mike’s memory. This summer, the Southeast Regional will be hosting a gathering at an Atlanta Braves game—an opportunity to celebrate his life and support his family. If you’d like to be part of that, please reach out to either Lillian Colson or Loren Kippels, who chairs our Southeast committee.

Thanks again to everyone who made this year’s meeting what it was. Whether this was your first IMUA event or one of many, I hope you left feeling connected, reenergized, and ready for what’s next. I certainly did.

Let’s keep building—together.

Matt