PLUS Conference
Agenda
Attend the annual PLUS Conference at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk for a deep dive into all things professional liability insurance. Enjoy unparalleled networking, education, and business development opportunities in the heart of Chicago.
View the PLUS Conference CE Chart here!
View the Registration desk schedule here!
Access Session Presentations:
Log into your PLUS member portal to view available PowerPoint presentations from CE/CLE eligible sessions offered at this year’s conference. Get valuable insights and revisit key takeaways at your convenience.
Conference Map:
Easily navigate this year’s conference with our detailed map, featuring session rooms, lounges, dining areas, and key event locations. Room locations are listed with each session, so you can make the most of your time on-site. Download the map or access it directly at the event.
Leadership Mastery Series: Navigating the Modern Workplace
This series of 3 short courses is included with the full PLUS Conference Registration or the series can be purchased separately if unable to attend the PLUS Conference for $249 per person. This also includes a reception following the…
This series of 3 short courses is included with the full PLUS Conference Registration or the series can be purchased separately if unable to attend the PLUS Conference for $249 per person. This also includes a reception following the series. The topics include:
Ready to Lead – Preparing Yourself to Step Up When Needed – Michigan A
You shouldn’t wait to learn how to be a leader until that big promotion comes to your desk. Quite the opposite. You should start building the foundation of leadership skills now, so that when it comes a time, your leadership muscles are ready to go. You’ll learn secrets from successful leaders to help you unlock your potential to be the leader you wish to be.
8 Ways to Master Body Language – Michigan B
Body language is the unspoken communication that encompasses both physical cues in face-to-face interactions and subtle signals in the digital space. This session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate both in-person and digital interactions with intention, fostering meaningful connections and trust across all communication channels.
Five Ways to Squash Imposter Syndrome – Superior A
There’s no denying it — Imposter syndrome is rampant in the professional world. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust many of us into new roles, new teams, and new environments, causing feelings of self-doubt, fear, and lack of confidence, which creates a breeding ground for imposter syndrome. Reclaim your confidence in the workplace with motivational and practical strategies and techniques as well as technology tools.
Pre-Conference Mixer: Networking, Games, Entertainment
Join us at Lucky Strike (322 E. Illinois Street, Chicago) for an exciting pre-conference mixer designed exclusively for the professional liability industry! Engage in a variety of activities including bowling, ping pong, darts, and billiards while enjoying complimentary drinks…
Join us at Lucky Strike (322 E. Illinois Street, Chicago) for an exciting pre-conference mixer designed exclusively for the professional liability industry! Engage in a variety of activities including bowling, ping pong, darts, and billiards while enjoying complimentary drinks and delicious appetizers. Come and enjoy an evening of networking, relaxation, and lively entertainment to kick off your conference experience in style. Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of camaraderie and fun! All registered Conference attendees are welcome, it is included in your conference registration. For those who purchased the Leadership Mastery Series separately, this is also included in your registration. See you there!
Partnership Breakfast: Come As You Are: Build An Authentic Connection with Increasingly Diverse Clients
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4 Don’t let assumptions jeopardize your sales goals—discover actionable strategies to enhance sales effectiveness and build rapport with increasingly diverse clients. It’s critical to learn how to leverage kind curiosity to forge genuine connections across…
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4
Don’t let assumptions jeopardize your sales goals—discover actionable strategies to enhance sales effectiveness and build rapport with increasingly diverse clients. It’s critical to learn how to leverage kind curiosity to forge genuine connections across society and the business world.
Join Bernadette Smith, founder and CEO of Equality Institute and award-winning author of four books, including the bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization, as she guides us in ensuring that unchecked assumptions don’t derail client relationships. Ms. Smith will equip your sales team and others who communicate with customers and other employees with strategies to empower them to build genuine trust using the ARC Method®.
ARC stands for Ask, Respect, and Connect, and the ARC Method® requires us to ask good questions, be committed to the answers, then connect the answers to solutions. Elevate your sales game by embracing tools for authentic engagement that drive lasting client loyalty, ensuring your company stands out for its genuine commitment to client care.
This session is brought to you by PLUS, The PLUS Foundation, APIW, AAIN, the LINK, NAAIA and MRIA.

LAMP Orientation Session
Invitation only. 2024-25 LAMP Cohort Orientation and training session. Location: Michigan A, Level 2.
RPLU Celebration
INVITATION ONLY: Celebration with the most recent RPLU and RPLU+ designees. Location: Chicago Promenade East, Level 4
Conference Kick Off: Connect, Compete, Celebrate
Come Join us – Sheraton Promenade West, Level 4. Kick off the PLUS Conference and enhance your networking experience by connecting with fellow industry professionals through engaging activities like networking bingo and an interactive trivia session. Set in a…
Come Join us – Sheraton Promenade West, Level 4.
Kick off the PLUS Conference and enhance your networking experience by connecting with fellow industry professionals through engaging activities like networking bingo and an interactive trivia session. Set in a relaxed atmosphere, this event offers a perfect opportunity to share insights, build relationships, and compete for exciting prizes.
Beazley Presents: Is Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program SB 553 Compliant?
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. “Is Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program SB 553 Compliant?” Is Your California Workplace Violence Prevention Program SB 553 Compliant? Not in CA? What does SB553 mean for you? For those doing business in California,…
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
“Is Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program SB 553 Compliant?” Is Your California Workplace Violence Prevention Program SB 553 Compliant? Not in CA? What does SB553 mean for you? For those doing business in California, a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan requirement (SB 553) came into effect July 1, 2024. Many businesses are not ready. SB553 requires almost all businesses with 10+ employees, within virtually all industry sectors, to develop and implement a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. Failure to comply could result in steep fines, penalties, and even misdemeanors. Additionally, should a violence event occur that results in a claim, a lack of compliance with SB553 could lead to greater legal exposure.
There are dozens of other states that have similar legislation in the works, or already approved. What does it mean for your business?
Attend this presentation to learn how best-practice deadly weapons insurers are designing policies and programs to assist insureds with workplace violence prevention compliance. You will hear from three subject matter experts on insurance, workplace violence planning, and litigation defense—the disciplines needed to develop a robust workplace violence prevention program that will position your organization to prevent, respond and recover should violence occur.
Lockton Presents: Hot Topics in D&O Litigation & Insurance
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. Public and private management liability is constantly shifting as the private and public markets ebb and flow, plaintiffs’ lawyers create new litigation strategies, the SEC and other regulators adjust their enforcement emphases, and the…
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
Public and private management liability is constantly shifting as the private and public markets ebb and flow, plaintiffs’ lawyers create new litigation strategies, the SEC and other regulators adjust their enforcement emphases, and the courts redefine the rules of the playing field. Join us for a fast-moving review of the current litigation and enforcement trends having the greatest impact upon the D&O litigation and insurance landscape — SPACs and DeSPACs, take-privates, plaintiffs’ derivative litigation strategies, regulators’ skepticism about private equity’s role in healthcare and more.



Great American Presents: Profile of a Fraudster
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. The team will discuss how occupational fraud has evolved over the years and how its prevalence has affected fidelity coverage. We will overview why occupational fraud is a problem including the latest fraud statistics…
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
The team will discuss how occupational fraud has evolved over the years and how its prevalence has affected fidelity coverage. We will overview why occupational fraud is a problem including the latest fraud statistics and analysis. We will highlight what a typical fraudster looks like, common ways occupational fraud is committed, impacts of fraud on victim organizations and recommended anti-fraud controls to mitigate exposure. Discussion will include several real-life examples of occupational fraud schemes committed by fraudsters.



Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan Presents: A Check-In with the Mediators
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. What are the latest trends and dynamics impacting mediations in professional and financial lines claims? What factors increase the likelihood of a successful mediation? What are the biggest impediments and hurdles? Join us for…
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
What are the latest trends and dynamics impacting mediations in professional and financial lines claims? What factors increase the likelihood of a successful mediation? What are the biggest impediments and hurdles? Join us for a lively discussion featuring mediators Jed Melnick and Simone Lelchuk, where they will provide their front-line perspectives on the latest hot topics in mediations.



PLUS Opening & Welcome Reception
Location: Sheraton-Chicago Ballroom; Level 4. Plan to arrive early as the renowned Chicago artist, Elliott From, from ArtBeatLIVE will be creating a masterpiece that will be auctioned off during the event. Our host and emcee for the Conference, Carisa…
Location: Sheraton-Chicago Ballroom; Level 4.
Plan to arrive early as the renowned Chicago artist, Elliott From, from ArtBeatLIVE will be creating a masterpiece that will be auctioned off during the event. Our host and emcee for the Conference, Carisa Barreca from The Second City of Chicago, will also be performing. Come early and be a part of the festivities. Then stay and enjoy the good ole Blooze Brothers Band from Chicago while enjoying a beverage and a few laughs with friends and colleagues. We hope to see you there!
Attendee Breakfast Celebrating PLUS Industry Leaders Awards
Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4. This is one attendee breakfast you won’t want to miss. Featuring the two prestigious PLUS1 and Founders Award recipients along with the Emerging Leaders Award presentations. Come and celebrate our industry leaders and enjoy…
Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4.
This is one attendee breakfast you won’t want to miss. Featuring the two prestigious PLUS1 and Founders Award recipients along with the Emerging Leaders Award presentations. Come and celebrate our industry leaders and enjoy a heartly breakfast to kick off your day right.
Fiduciary Liability: What Is Old is New Again
CE/CLE Eligible: Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. This session will be a panel discussion among the key players in any fiduciary liability claim concerning new and emerging ERISA risks and plaintiffs’ new theories in prudence and excessive fee litigation,…
CE/CLE Eligible: Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
This session will be a panel discussion among the key players in any fiduciary liability claim concerning new and emerging ERISA risks and plaintiffs’ new theories in prudence and excessive fee litigation, including 401(k)/403(b) plan litigation and health plan fee litigation.





The Challenges Confronting Underwriters, Claims Managers and Consumers in PL
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. With catastrophic damages, rising costs, and novel claims, this panel will discuss how to manage lawyers and other E&O risks and claims, the rising cost of defense and settlements, recent trends, and…
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
With catastrophic damages, rising costs, and novel claims, this panel will discuss how to manage lawyers and other E&O risks and claims, the rising cost of defense and settlements, recent trends, and the appropriate underwriting of limits.





Aon presents: Artificial Intelligence: D&O Insurance Implications
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. What are the D&O insurance implications of the new EU Artificial Intelligence Act? We will also put a spotlight on internal controls.
Munich Re presents: It’s Not Just About Cyber Insurance
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. Cyber risk is an operational risk potentially triggering multiple lines of Coverage over several years. We will discuss the financial lines implications from a cyber event and help the audience understand how a cyber…
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
Cyber risk is an operational risk potentially triggering multiple lines of Coverage over several years. We will discuss the financial lines implications from a cyber event and help the audience understand how a cyber event like a BEC (Business Email Compromise) can critically impact other professional lines of insurance beyond cyber coverage. This session will cover the increasingly complicated actual and perceived overlap between Cyber, FI/Crime and PL policies after a BEC. We will look at recent legislation, regulation and litigation triggering this situation.


Foundation Luncheon including the Excellence in Diversity Award Presentation and moderated Q&A with WNBA star Candace Parker
Join us in Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4, for a wonderful luncheon hosted by PLUS and the PLUS Foundation and featuring discussion with WNBA Champion and 2X Olympic Gold Medalist, Candace Parker. The PLUS Foundation will also present the Excellence…
Join us in Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4, for a wonderful luncheon hosted by PLUS and the PLUS Foundation and featuring discussion with WNBA Champion and 2X Olympic Gold Medalist, Candace Parker. The PLUS Foundation will also present the Excellence in Diversity Award, and ‘check presentation’ to the 2024 Conference Cause charities. This luncheon is included with your event registration.

Let’s Talk Ethics: A Review of Common Ethical Issues in Legal & Employment Relationships
CE/CLE Session. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. Panel will discuss attorney/client privilege, work product doctrine and the duty to maintain confidentiality. They will also look at ethical obligations of clients with regard to the preservation of information and documents…
CE/CLE Session. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
Panel will discuss attorney/client privilege, work product doctrine and the duty to maintain confidentiality. They will also look at ethical obligations of clients with regard to the preservation of information and documents and participation in the discovery process. They will then turn their focus to the employment context and examine relationships between managers and employees. The panel will also discuss social media concerns, including how to prevent oversharing, and the regulation of employee conduct online. The panel will conclude with a discussion on establishing proper professional boundaries in a work setting. This session may be eligible for 1 Ethics credit in some states.
The London Market in 2025
CE/CLE Eligible. Chicago 10, Level 4. A panel discussion including senior figures from the London underwriting community and from U.S. brokers. The panel will look at where the value of the London market lies today, and what is coming…
CE/CLE Eligible. Chicago 10, Level 4.
A panel discussion including senior figures from the London underwriting community and from U.S. brokers. The panel will look at where the value of the London market lies today, and what is coming down the road in terms of innovative underwriting and capacity provision.
Location:





Travelers Presents: The Current & Future Threat of Deepfakes
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. We will demonstrate the current state of how AI and other technology advances are enabling threat actors to commit cybercrimes and social engineering frauds. The panel will discuss how these advances are impacting Insureds,…
Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
We will demonstrate the current state of how AI and other technology advances are enabling threat actors to commit cybercrimes and social engineering frauds. The panel will discuss how these advances are impacting Insureds, especially across Cyber and Commercial Crime lines. Discussion will include current state of claims related to deepfakes as well as best practices for Insureds to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.



Freeman Mathis & Gary Presents: Rising Risks in Third-Party Litigation
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. The panel will discuss the current state of third-party litigation in the tech E&O and privacy space, including the explosion of class action claims. They will address the current claims climate and the impact…
Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
The panel will discuss the current state of third-party litigation in the tech E&O and privacy space, including the explosion of class action claims. They will address the current claims climate and the impact on future underwriting and coverage decisions and policy placement strategy.
Industry Insights with Greg Case, CEO of Aon
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4. Greg Case, CEO of Aon, will share insights on external factors impacting the industry today and discuss future trends in the PL insurance industry. This is one interview you won’t want to…
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4.
Greg Case, CEO of Aon, will share insights on external factors impacting the industry today and discuss future trends in the PL insurance industry. This is one interview you won’t want to miss!

PLUS Happy Hour
Location: Sheraton Grand Riverwalk B, Lower level. Join us for Happy Hour to celebrate the ‘tastes of Chicago’ with jazz music and The Second City Improv will be performing several customized skits about the insurance industry throughout the happy…
Location: Sheraton Grand Riverwalk B, Lower level.
Join us for Happy Hour to celebrate the ‘tastes of Chicago’ with jazz music and The Second City Improv will be performing several customized skits about the insurance industry throughout the happy hour. Some unique entertainment including hemp tattoos, Chinese calligraphy, and the ‘Candy Man’ will also be there. ALL registered attendees are welcome and encouraged to attend. Open bar. This event is included in your registration.
Attendee Breakfast with Leadership Gavel Exchange
Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4. PLUS leadership will pass the gavel to a new president at today’s complimentary breakfast. Come and celebrate Nicole Sheth’s past year as PLUS president and help us welcome Jackie Waters to the helm as…
Location: Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4.
PLUS leadership will pass the gavel to a new president at today’s complimentary breakfast. Come and celebrate Nicole Sheth’s past year as PLUS president and help us welcome Jackie Waters to the helm as 2025 PLUS President.
Plenty of coffee will be served!
EPL Wheel of Fortune
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4. Get ready to spin the wheel and uncover the latest in Employment Practices! Join us for a game show-style session with employment practices liability industry leaders where we’ll explore current employment claims,…
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Sheraton 1, Level 4.
Get ready to spin the wheel and uncover the latest in Employment Practices! Join us for a game show-style session with employment practices liability industry leaders where we’ll explore current employment claims, settlement trends, and future predictions in a fun and interactive format. You may not be able to buy a vowel, but CE and CLE credits will be provided for all attendees. Don’t miss your chance to join in on the fun and win big insights!




The Wild and Wacky World of Wholesale
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Chicago 10, Level 4. Last year our panel discussed the challenges in distribution and specialization within the wholesale marketplace. This panel will discuss the different types of risks that end up with wholesale markets, what makes…
CE/CLE Eligible. Location: Chicago 10, Level 4.
Last year our panel discussed the challenges in distribution and specialization within the wholesale marketplace. This panel will discuss the different types of risks that end up with wholesale markets, what makes the risks unique, why insurers are focused on wholesale, creative solutions to difficult problems and why E&S is such a big part of commercial insurance. Our panelists will share personal stories about placements and issues that will help illustrate why there’s a strong need for wholesale brokers and underwriters as part of the insurance ecosystem.




Leading Your Business into 2025: Making Sense of the U.S. Economy & the 2024 Elections
Join us for this closing keynote presentation in the Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4. What do higher interest rates, complex labor force dynamics and evolving geopolitical risks mean for your business and your customers this year? What pressing challenges does…
Join us for this closing keynote presentation in the Sheraton/Chicago Ballroom, Level 4.
What do higher interest rates, complex labor force dynamics and evolving geopolitical risks mean for your business and your customers this year? What pressing challenges does the new Congress and President-elect face in 2025? And what might it all mean for the risk and insurance industry? Drawing on her extensive experience as an economist on Capitol Hill and a Washington analyst on Wall Street, Joan Woodward will share her economic, public policy and political outlook in this data-driven, analytical, and nonpartisan presentation. Joan, who currently serves as Executive Vice President for Public Policy at Travelers, will explore these topics and more, including how the 2024 U.S. elections may impact insurance, tax policy, and the broader economy.
