PIA of Florida's Conference & Trade Show - The Next Wave
Designed to Move You Forward!
Join us in sunny St. Pete Beach, Florida, for a refreshing and inspiring retreat from your everyday routine. This is your chance to recharge, learn, and connect with fellow insurance professionals who share your drive for growth and innovation.
PIA of Florida is proud to present The Next Wave: Profitability & Possibilities — a boutique-style event that blends education, collaboration, and a little Florida fun.
Over two days, you’ll gain actionable insights, explore the latest market trends, experience live technology demos, and network with agency leaders, carriers, and industry partners — all against the backdrop of Florida’s breathtaking Gulf Coast.
Set your sights on the horizon. The future is bright — and it starts at The Next Wave.
Ways to get Involved:
ATTEND
ATTEND -
We can't wait for you to join us at the beach for an exciting 2 days packed with Networking, Continuing Education, Industry Insights/Updates & Demos. Click here to Register now!
EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT
The Trade Show will have a total of 45 exhibitor spaces available, with limited spaces for each vendor type.
Review the Brochure here and join us in February as an exhibitor! Email sdeboer@pianational.org to secure your exhibitor table and demo time.
SPONSOR
SPONSOR -
Help PIA of Florida champion independent insurance agents and shape what’s next. Sponsor a session, demo, networking event, or on-site feature at The Next Wave: Profitability & Possibilities and put your brand in front of agency owners, independent agents, industry advocates, and solution partners—all in a high-engagement, boutique setting.
View our Sponsorship/Exhibitor Brochure Here. Email sdeboer@pianational.org to secure your exhibitor table and demo time.
Agenda:
February 23, 2026
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
| CPIA 1 (Position for Success); TBD (7 CE) |
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
| Flood Risk Uncovered: Modern Tools, Coverage Solutions & Client Communication - Nick Lamparelli, Insurance Nerds (2 CE) Sponsored by Hartford Flood |
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
| Lunch Sponsored by Florida Surplus Lines Service Office |
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
| Law & Ethics 4 HR Update; Instructor: Tony Becerra, Hilda Tucker Insurance School (4 CE) |
3:30 PM
| Exhibitor Move-in |
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
| Welcome Reception; TradeWinds South Lawn |
7:00 PM
| Networking Dinner (Optional)/Dinner on your own |
February 24, 2026
8:00 am - 8:50 am
| Breakfast |
9:00 am - 10:15 am
| How to Grow Your Book in 2026; Kelly Donahue-Piro, Agency Performance Partners |
10:15 am-11:15 am
| Trade Show Open; Demos |
11:15 am -12:30 pm
| Agency Panel; Moderator - Keith Savino; Participants - Billy Wagner, Chris Paradiso & David Carothers |
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
| Lunch and Trade Show Open; Demos |
12:45 pm - 1:15 pm
| Advocacy Update; Lisa Miller, Lisa Miller & Associates |
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
| Member Annual Meeting |
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
| AI Readiness & Risks Workshop: Secure Adoption for the Modern Agency; Moderator: Mitch Gibson; Participants - Vic Yeh, Daniel Metcalf, Peter Macdonald, & more to be announced |
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
| Trade Show and Cocktail Hour |
Demo Schedule
Gain invaluable knowledge and discover fresh perspectives to elevate your career.
The PIA of Florida Conference & Trade Show not only offers exceptional learning opportunities but also unparalleled networking with industry partners. Connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas, and form strategic alliances to drive your business forward. Our dedicated networking sessions provide the perfect setting to forge meaningful connections, equipping you and your agency with the skills and knowledge to tackle future challenges.
Our Exhibitors
Our Instructors
CPIA Instructor - Coming soon!
Coming Soon...
Nick Lamparelli
Nick Lamparelli is a 20+ year veteran of the insurance wars. He has a unique vantage point on the insurance industry. From selling home & auto insurance, helping companies with commercial insurance, to being an underwriter with an excess & surplus lines wholesaler, to catastrophe modeling, Nick has vast experience in the industry. Over past 10 years, Nick has been focused on the insurance analytics of natural catastrophes and big data. Nick serves as the Chief Evangelist of The Insurance Nerds.

Tony Becerra

Our Speakers
Kelly Donahue-Piro
As Founder and President of insurance consulting and training firm Agency Performance Partners, for more than a decade Kelly Donahue-Piro has been inspiring clients and conference attendees alike to be “Ridiculously Amazing.” An empathetic visionary, Kelly sees herself and her team not just as expert advisors but as a “BFF” to agency owners, coming alongside with an arm around the shoulder when times are tough and a round of high-fives when success rolls in.

Lisa Miller
As a former deputy insurance commissioner, Lisa represents and advises property insurance companies representing 25% of Florida’s six million personal and commercial residential policies. She served as lead advisor to Florida’s Property and Casualty Insurance Fraud Task Force and serves as regulatory consultant to investors who are entering Florida’s insurance market. Lisa served for 10 years as the exclusive insurance lobbyist and technical consultant for the Florida Realtors association with 140,000 members in all Florida counties.
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Agency Panel - Panelists
Keith Savino - Moderator
Keith Savino is the Managing Partner of Broadfield Insurance Group and a nationally recognized leader in the insurance industry with more than 35 years of experience. Known for his deep expertise in insurance operations, technology, and agency growth, Keith has played a pivotal role in helping agencies modernize, strengthen profitability, and navigate an evolving market. He is a past national president of the PIA, a long-time advocate for independent agents, and an influential voice in advancing cyber, data, and insurtech initiatives across the industry. With a passion for empowering agencies through innovation and strategic insight, Keith continues to shape the future of independent insurance distribution.

Chris Paradiso
Chris Paradiso is the founder of Paradiso Insurance and one of the most influential voices in the independent agency channel. A passionate advocate for digital marketing, culture-driven leadership, and customer experience, Chris has built one of the most recognized and fast-growing independent agencies in the country. He is also the creator of Paradiso Presents, where he trains and inspires agents nationwide to grow through branding, technology, and community-focused service. Known for his authenticity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the insurance industry, Chris continues to empower agencies to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing marketplace.

David Carothers
David R. Carothers, CIC, CRM, is the Principal of Florida Risk Partners and a nationally recognized leader in insurance sales, marketing, and agency development. He is the founder of Killing Commercial Insurance Training, host of The Power Producers Podcast, creator and producer of The Protégé, and the author of the international best-seller The Extra 2 Minutes as well as The Dirty 130. David also leads several businesses within the Game Changers portfolio, supporting marketing, funding solutions, and content distribution across the industry. With nearly two decades of experience in risk management and a track record of building high-performance commercial agencies, David is a sought-after keynote speaker and educator known for his direct, practical, and highly effective approach to sales and leadership.

Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner is a franchise pioneer with Brightway Insurance, where he has built one of the organization’s top-performing agencies and earned national recognition for his leadership and operational excellence. As a coach, speaker, and author of Business Masterclass, Billy is committed to helping entrepreneurs and agency owners elevate their performance, culture, and customer experience. He leads The Business Mastermind Group, where he mentors business leaders on accountability, structure, and long-term success. Known for his disciplined approach, community focus, and passion for personal growth, Billy continues to inspire and influence professionals across the independent agency channel.

AI Workshop
Mitch Gibson - Moderator
Mitch Gibson is a dedicated insurance professional, speaker, and host of the popular MVP Podcast, where he highlights the stories, strategies, and journeys of top performers inside and outside the insurance industry. After launching his career with Gibson Insurance Group, Mitch has become known for his authenticity, energetic approach, and passion for helping agents elevate their mindsets, processes, and performance. He brings a unique blend of personal experience, marketing insight, and a deep commitment to professional growth, inspiring audiences to pursue excellence and lead with purpose.

Vic Yeh
Vic Yeh is a technologist, entrepreneur, and the Co-Founder and CEO of Cara, an AI-powered platform transforming how insurance agencies manage workflows, communication, and productivity. With a background spanning software engineering, product development, and AI innovation, Vic is dedicated to helping agencies streamline operations and adopt technology that creates real, measurable impact. He is known for his practical, human-centered approach to AI adoption and his commitment to building tools that empower agents to do more of what matters. Through Cara, Vic continues to redefine how modern agencies leverage technology to scale, serve clients, and compete in a rapidly evolving industry.

Daniel Metcalf

Peter Macdonald
Peter MacDonald is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wunderite, a software platform transforming how independent insurance agencies gather data, complete applications, and collaborate with clients. A former commercial insurance producer and third-generation agency owner, Peter combines deep industry experience with a passion for streamlining and modernizing agency workflows. His work focuses on helping agents eliminate friction, reduce back-and-forth, and close business faster through intuitive, digital experiences. Known for his thoughtful leadership and commitment to simplifying insurance, Peter continues to drive innovation that empowers agencies and improves the customer journey.

Tickets and Pricing:
Preconference
| Member Price | Non-Member Price |
CPIA | $150.00 | $179.00 |
Flood CE | $15.00 | $25.00 |
4 HR Law & Ethics CE | $25.00 | $45.00 |
Conference and Trade Show
| Early Bird Price (until Jan 2) | Regular Price (until Feb 20) | Onsite Price |
Member Price | $99.00 | $149.99 | $249.99 |
Additional Staff Member | $99.00 | $130.00 | $160.00 |
Non-member Price | $149.99 | $199.99 | $299.99 |
Additional Staff Non-member | $130.00 | $175.00 | $250.00 |
(Click above to register for the the Conference & Pre-Conference events)
Where to Stay
We are excited to host the 2026 PIA of Florida Annual Meeting & Trade Show – The Next Wave: Profitability & Possibilities at the beautiful TradeWinds Resort – RumFish Beach on St. Pete Beach, FL.
TradeWinds Island Resorts – RumFish Beach
📍 6000 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706, United States
📞 +1 (800) 249-1667
A special PIA of Florida room block is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We encourage you to book early to secure your stay steps away from all conference activities.
Room Rates
Standard Room Rate: $184.00/night
(Rooms based on single or double occupancy)
Children under 18 stay complimentary when sharing a room.
Additional guests aged 18+ will incur a $15.00 per person, per night fee.
Room Block Closes: January 23, 2026
Reserve your room:
👉 Phone: 1-800-808-9833
👉 Online: https://book.passkey.com/go/PIA26
(Listed under “PIA of Florida” in the Group Reservation Department)
Resort Amenities Fee
A nightly Resort Amenities Fee of $55.00 + tax will be added to your room rate.
This includes access to popular amenities such as:
Welcome drink at check-in
Fitness Center access
Daily in-room coffee
Wi-Fi throughout guest rooms, common areas & meeting rooms
St. Petersburg Trolley access
Local, toll-free, and credit card calls
Business Center access
In-room safes
Beach Loungers (2 per room) & Beach Umbrella
Miniature golf
Paddleboats
High Tide Slide (when in season)
Pickleball
Nightly S’mores
Taxes
Room rates are subject to applicable taxes (current rates will apply at time of stay).
Parking
Parking for overnight guests will be charged at $15.00 per day (rate subject to change).
Need Help?
If you have questions about accommodations or availability, please contact us at sdeboer@pianational.org
A Special Thank you to our sponsors for their support:
FAQ
Where is The Next Wave: Profitability & Possibilities being held?
TradeWinds Resort - 5500 Gulf Blvd | St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Is this a Members only event?
No, but Membership does have its perks. Join Us now to get exclusive discounts and coupon codes for The Next Wave!
