Over 300 insurance professionals gathered for the PIA Connecticut Convention at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, from March 19-20, to explore exciting insurance possibilities and make lifetime connections. Over the two-day event, attendees gained new insights at high quality continuing-education sessions, found bold insurance solutions at the sold-out trade show and networked extensively with their peers. You can find the photo album for the event online.
Passing on knowledge at CE sessions
This year’s CE sessions provided a total of five Connecticut credits for those who attended both sessions. The first session, The New E&O Frontier: Technology, Compliance and Emerging Liabilities, was taught by Bradford J. Lachut Esq., and Christopher Weldon Esq., and it was approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Utica National & Allianz.
During the session, Weldon and Lachut addressed the challenges of balancing an agent’s ethical responsibility to serve clients with meeting legal requirements and industry recommendations. In states like Connecticut, agents primarily act as order takers. Offering additional services—like notifying clients of impending policy cancellations—can inadvertently increase agents’ exposure to errors-and-omissions claims, despite these efforts improving client relationships.
They emphasized the importance of routinely reviewing internal procedures to confirm they are operating as intended and to ensure agency staff consistently follows established protocols. Adopting this proactive strategy helps prevent individuals from straying from approved processes and reduces the risk of “policy drift,” which can develop when everyday practices gradually override official procedures. Of course, they reiterated a fundamental principle of any E&O training: always document your actions thoroughly!
The next session, Cyber Coverage Explained in Depth—Finally! was taught by Jim Venezia, CPCU, CCIS, CCIC. As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, the damage cyber liability attacks produce increases. This session emphasized the dangers and complexities posed by these attacks and provided a deeper look at the knowledge and tools agents need to confidently offer this vital coverage. Agents who attended the session walked away confidently with the knowledge of how to examine a client’s cyber exposures and offer coverage and limits that best suit their needs.
Networking opportunities abound
This year’s convention had many great opportunities for insurance professionals to network, like at the sold-out trade show. In addition to exploring solutions and new products for their business, these professionals took the time to forge strong connections with the vendors and their fellow attendees.
Throughout the course of the convention, there were multiple opportunities to relax and connect, like at the Networking Reception and the Farewell Breakfast Buffet. These events provided wonderful refreshments and food—as well as great company.
Connecticut awards of distinction winners honored
At this year’s Networking Reception, winners of the 2026 PIACT Awards of Distinction were honored for their service to the industry.
The Professional Agent of the Year was awarded to Joseph Krar, founder of Joseph Krar & Associates in Southington, Conn.
The Community Service Award was presented to Stephen G. Todd, CIC, CPCU, owner, president and CEO of Brooks, Todd & McNeil in Torrington, Conn.
The Company Person of the Year was awarded to Robert Dunn of Hanover Insurance. Dunn has been active in the insurance industry for nearly 40 years.
Change of administration
The PIACT and CTYIP boards of directors held their annual business meeting during the convention, at which their 2026-27 officers and directors were elected.
PIACT 2026-27 officers
- President: Kathleen Bailey, CPIA, TRA, CLCS, ACSR
- Treasurer: Jeffrey Krar
- Secretary: Anthony DeSalva
- Immediate Past President: Kevin McKiernan, CIC, CPIA
PIACT 2026-27 new members of the board of directors
- Raymond Chase
- James Kannengeiser will join the PIACT board of directors in May 2026.
CTYIP 2026-27 officers
- President: Robyn Ricciardone
- President-elect: Jacklyn Meeker
- Vice president: Kieran Buttrick
- Treasurer: Sean Walsh
- Secretary: Ryan Keating
- Immediate Past President: Justin Sloan
CTYIP 2026-27 board of directors
- Frances Batista
- Nicole Deissler
- Michael Kelly
- Malorie Leone
- Jessica Martino-Meyer
- Stanley Wong
- Christine DeFelice
Welcome reception
CTYIP held its annual Welcome Reception | Axes and Accelerators on March 18, the night before the start of the convention. Over 75 insurance professionals met to enjoy some go-karting and axe-throwing at the Monza Garage at Foxwoods.
Thanks to our sponsors
From PIA to the sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers who helped make Connecticut Convention possible and a success, thank you!
Matt McDonough is PIA Northeast's writer, editor and content curator. Matt joined PIA Northeast in September 2023. Before that, he had been an editor for the online entertainment magazine Collider from 2021-23 as a copy editor for its lists section. Matt entered the world of journalism at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, writing and reporting for the college's student run newspaper, The New Paltz Oracle. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Creative Writing in 2020.
