As registrations for the VCIA’s August 2022 Conference climb, I am hearing feedback from members and non-members alike as to how pleased they are to be able to get back together again. In particular, there’s another large group that we are looking forward to seeing and serving at the event—the next generation of captive professionals. Here’s my pitch as to why they should come to #VCIA2022

Since our last in-person conference back in 2019, there’s been a considerable number of new entrants to the professions around the captive industry. Additionally, there is also a group that at that stage was early in their careers and have had limited in person networking opportunities. I am particularly interested in visiting with folks in these two groups— finding out what interests them, what they want to learn, and how our association can support them—because they broadly represent the future of the industry and of the VCIA.

A passionate advocate for captive careers and injecting the industry with youth and creativity, Brittany Nevins, the State of Vermont’s Captive Insurance Economic Development Director, thinks the VCIA Conference recognizes the importance of catering to a larger, newer base of professionals in our self-insurance industry. “There is a shift happening across the industry to intentionally focus more on bringing people into the captive industry as a career path. This shift in focus is visible throughout the VCIA Conference in various educational and networking opportunities. New professionals have more opportunities to speak on panels and share their unique and diverse perspectives, to ask one another how we can be more supportive, and how veterans in the industry can create opportunity. There’s much work to be done but it’s clear that this is a priority for the VCIA.”

There is a shift happening across the industry to intentionally focus more on bringing people into the captive industry as a career path. This shift in focus is visible throughout the VCIA Conference in various educational and networking opportunities

Brittany Nevins, Vermont’s Captive Insurance Economic Development Director

The carefully curated content of #VCIA2022 makes for strong professional development opportunities for young and new captive companies and employees. Captive Immersion on Monday 8/8 is a comprehensive program on the basics of the industry. There’s also Captive 101 the next day as well as a number of sessions categorized as “beginner” level that would be appropriate and beneficial to someone with limited experience under their belt.

Besides the important content for young professionals, there’s also the credit. In one place, you can earn numerous CPE credits and boost your value to your company. And as I mentioned above, networking—actually establishing relationships, face to face, with different people in all kinds of captive roles—is invaluable and has been sorely lacking these last few years. #VCIA2022 plans to fix that from the moment you arrive in Burlington.

At the cocktail reception for Captive Immersion, you can connect with some industry leaders and VCIA Board members. On Tuesday, check in at the Newcomers Orientation and a Conference Ambassador can give you tips on how to leverage your time at the conference. Then there’s the opening reception in the Exhibit Hall where everyone will be kicking off the week in good spirits. You can also participate in networking lunches and there’s plenty of space at the conference to set up private meetings. Finally, our evening reception at the snazzy Hotel Vermont will be special. It’s a farewell tribute to Dave Provost and anybody and everybody in the captive industry will be there.

So for young professionals, we want to make sure that you get the most out of the upcoming conference. Please seek out myself, other staff members and the VCIA board members and let us know how the event and the association can be more relevant to you as you grow within the industry. Many of you will attend with colleagues, but this is just a gentle hint to suggest that you step away from the people that you know and use the conference as your first and best opportunity to meet with and build relationships with others in the industry.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the conference, and to hearing your aspirations for your career!

If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, you can do so here. And don’t forget to book your lodging and airfare, too!