ABOUT
We’re bringing together the biggest names in insurance to share their secrets to success and update you on the specialty insurance landscape at the first ever Specialty Insurance Summit.
From growing your business in a time of economic upheaval, to mastering cyber crime insurance and managing catastrophe coverage, we’re giving you the tools you need to overcome your challenges and make the most of your opportunities.
Get direct access to 20+ MGAs, network, build lasting business relationships, and develop actionable strategies for the year ahead.
Don’t fall behind your competition – join us and be part of a one of a kind conversation.
Why attend?
Get first-hand insights from some of Canada’s top brokers – discover their secrets to success, learn about the most recent industry developments, and explore what it all means for you
Find out how you can overcome a new set of emerging specialty risks and look into the latest product offerings and services
Stay on top of changing consumer demands and get ahead of your competition with the latest digital solutions
Network with hundreds of insurance industry leaders face-to-face in an expo format
2023 SPEAKERS

Paul Croft
Chief Operating Officer – Canada
Aon

Matthew Studley
Executive Vice President
Hub International Canada

Nicole Seymour
Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, Canada
Lloyd’s Canada

David Leadbetter
President & CEO
Avail Group Of Companies

Joshua Krenus
President & CEO
Alteri Insurance

Jonathan Weekes, CRISC
SVP, Cyber Practice Leader
Hub International Canada

Aneeza Ahmad
Marketing Manager
K A S E Insurance

Shani Briffa
Assistant General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer; Director Government Relations
Marsh & McLennan Canada

Loren Gardiner
Vice President, National Commercial Insurance,
BrokerLink

Jessica Harper
Director, Policy, Licensing, & Standards
Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO)

Simon Hlywa
President
Calefy Inc.

Melanie Hoad
VP, Head of Legal and Compliance, Canada
CNA Canada

Mohamed Jama
Vice President, the Hull Division
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.

Fady Kamel CIP, CRM
Managing Partner
All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited- Erin Mills

Stanislav Kojokin
CEO
KASE Insurance

Kevin Lea
President
Fuse Insurance Ltd.

Michael Loeters
Senior Vice President – Commercial Insurance
PROLINK

Michael McLachlan
President
Trinity Underwriting

Josh Pillsbury
Managing Partner
Summit Commercial Solutions

Richard Zehr
President
Zehr Insurance Brokers Limited
2023 AGENDA
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Opening remarks from the Chairperson
Jessica Harper
Director, Policy, Licensing, & Standards
Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) -
Keynote fireside chat – Learn from the best: Canada’s top specialty insurance brokers share their secrets to success
As we emerge from a pandemic world, new volatility continues to weigh on the Canadian market. Insurance brokers must stay on top of the latest industry developments in order to set themselves apart. This Keynote panel brings together the top brokers in Canada to share their secrets to success and get you up to speed on the key issues impacting the specialty insurance landscape.
- Highlighting recent developments in the specialty insurance industry and their implications for 2023
- An update on the latest specialty insurance product offerings
- Best practices for managing changes in the market: how to adapt strategies to suit your personal business model
- Addressing the challenge of lessening capacity and increased premiums around specialty coverages when working with clients
Paul Croft
Chief Operating Officer – Canada
AonMatthew Studley
Executive Vice President
Hub International Canada -
Panel: Growing your business in times of change: how to scale to the next level
With the industry continuing to experience a high degree of brokerage M&As leading to widespread consolidation in the insurance distribution marketplace, the need for scale is becoming top of mind for smaller, independent brokerage owners. However, the M&A route is not the only, or necessarily best, option for expanding your business, as there is still room for high-quality, independent insurance brokers who can often provide the most customized insurance solutions for their clients. Hear from leading brokers as they provide insight into how independent brokers can remain competitive and grow their business in a market dominated by giants.
- How to adapt scaling best practices and strategies to suit your personal business model and make 2023 your best year yet
- Adapting to the impact that widespread consolidation has had on the insurance distribution marketplace: assessing M&A vs. organic growth strategies
- Weighing need for investment in technology and innovation with the cost of staffing and rising business costs
- Investing in talent attraction, retention, and development
- Focussing on strength: strategies for providing more trusted, relevant and personalized interactions with customers
- How to drive customer engagement and growth by reorienting your organization toward customers
- Best practices for achieving long-term value through data-driven, customer-centric approach
Moderator
Richard Zehr
President
Zehr Insurance Brokers LimitedPanelists
Joshua Krenus
President & CEO
Alteri InsuranceStanislav Kojokin
CEO
KASE InsuranceJosh Pillsbury
Managing Partner
Summit Commercial Solutions -
Expo & networking break
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Panel: Navigating regulatory rapids
Insurance brokers continue to face new regulatory developments and compliance issues designed to improve transparency and accountability within the industry and ensure that brokers act in their clients’ best interests. This panel of leading industry Chief Compliance Officers will explore recent regulatory developments and their impact on insurance business practices, as well as examine what changes to expect in the future and provide best practices for navigating them.
• Impact of Bill 96: An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec: how to prepare for the French language requirements that are applicable June 2023• Implication of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) and the Treating Customers fairly guidelines for brokers• Developments from OSFI: what brokers need to know• Best practices for remaining compliant with regards to new requirements for data protection and cybersecurityModerator
Nicole Seymour
Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, Canada
Lloyd’s CanadaPanelists
Shani Briffa
Assistant General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer; Director Government Relations
Marsh & McLennan CanadaMelanie Hoad
VP, Head of Legal and Compliance, Canada
CNA Canada -
Networking Lunch
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Latest Technology Trends to Overhaul the Insurance Brokerage Industry
Though the balancing of risk and coverage options for clients can be a complex and arduous process that uses a high volume of data that can waste copious amounts of brokers’ time, the insurance industry has been slow to adopt new technology and maximize the benefits of digital transformation. However, we are beginning to see a digital revolution in insurance brokerage industry that is bringing automation into the forefront of many insurance processes. In this session, hear from brokers on the cutting edge of the digital transformation process on how to utilize innovative digital solutions that can help you stay up to date with changing consumer demands as well as ahead of the competition.
- Top broker tools to assist in growing your pipeline, streamlining efficiencies, and better connecting with clients
- Creating a more agile approach to your technology processes
- Adopting technology to allow for spending more time with customers, while keeping an enhanced customer experience at the center of their solution
- Establishing processes to deliver quotes rapidly to speed up the sales cycle, resulting in increased customers satisfaction and informed decision making
- Strategies for realizing the true potential of digital and data-driven marketing
- Preparing for the proliferation of “insurtech” and the evolution of online brokerage services and digital insurance products
Simon Hlywa
President
Calefy Inc.Michael Loeters
Senior Vice President – Commercial Insurance
PROLINK -
Panel: Addressing the emerging needs of SMEs
Small businesses are exposed to uniquely high risks and insurance is an important tool to help manage them. The SME market represents an important, yet challenging, opportunity for insurers. This session will provide brokers with insights into the SME market, as well as best practices for understanding and addressing their insurance needs.
- Understanding the emerging risks and insurance needs of SMEs
- Key insurance types and how these are being offered successfully to SMEs
- Best practices for reaching and serving the SME market
- Key classes of business that are underserved or underinsured
- The role of digital tools in expanding customer-centric possibilities for SME insurance offerings
Moderator
Aneeza Ahmad
Marketing Manager
K A S E InsurancePanelists
Loren Gardiner
Vice President, National Commercial Insurance,
BrokerLinkFady Kamel CIP, CRM
Managing Partner
All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited- Erin MillsKevin Lea
President
Fuse Insurance Ltd.Michael McLachlan
President
Trinity Underwriting -
Expo & networking break
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Panel: Mastering cyber risk insurance: the most rapidly evolving sector in the insurance industry
With cyber threats and technology evolving at a rapid pace, cyber risk insurance has become one of the fastest growing insurance sectors, and the number of product offerings have skyrocketed. This session will provide brokers with key strategies for how to best address their clients’ cyber risks and ultimately become leaders in cyber insurance.
- Exploring changing cyber trends: current cyber risk offerings and key challenges for brokers
- Key business types and industries that are currently underinsured
- Best practices in starting the cyber insurance conversation with clients and marketing yourself
- Comparing Tech E&O to stand-alone cyber insurance: benefits that each provide and how these coverages can work in tandem
- How brokers can better explain the importance of cyber insurance to their clients
Moderator
Mohamed Jama
Vice President, the Hull Division
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.Panelists
David Leadbetter
President & CEO
Avail Group Of CompaniesJonathan Weekes, CRISC
SVP, Cyber Practice Leader
Hub International Canada -
Closing remarks from the Chairperson
2023 SPONSORS
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Exhibitors
MEDIA PARTNER
2023 VENUE
ARCADIAN LOFT TORONTO
- 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th floor, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
- (416) 364-1211
- https://www.arcadianevents.ca/arcadian-loft/
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Parking:
There is no venue parking. If you need parking see public parking lots here.
FLOORPLAN

TRAVEL PLANS
Preferred Accommodation
Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from April 26 to April 28. We recommend that you book as soon as possible or 45 days before the event at the latest.
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
One Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J4
Book your group rate by calling +1 416- 341-7100. Use the group name Specialty Insurance Summit to secure the discounted rate until March 23, 2023.
Room rate: $479.00 plus tax CAD per room/night
Cut-off date: March 23, 2023
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm

Courtyard Toronto Downtown
475 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7
Book your group rate by calling +1 416- 924-0611. Use the group name Specialty Insurance Summit to secure the discounted rate until March 23, 2023.
Room rate: $299.00 plus tax CAD per room/night
Cut-off date: March 23, 2023
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm

THANKS FOR TAKING PART WITH Specialty Insurance Summit 2023
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