2025 Leadership Summit & Awards Gala

When

June 16, 2025 - June 18, 2025    
All Day

Where

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
3030 Holiday Dr Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316

Event Type

2025 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala


About the Event:

The 2025 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala is more than just another industry event—it’s where leadership, innovation, and celebration collide. Over two days, you’ll experience fast-paced RISETalks, hands-on workshops, and two tailored tracks designed for individual contributors and managers. And at night? We celebrate! From the Welcome Reception to the Awards Gala, you’ll be rubbing elbows with the best in the business—including our amazing 35 Under 35 winners and award nominees.

Who Should Attend:

This summit is designed for ambitious insurance professionals who want more than just a job—they want to lead. Whether you’re climbing the ranks as an individual contributor or managing a growing team, we’ve got a track for you. Expect to connect with peers, industry influencers, and execs from over 200 companies. If you’re ready to grow, this is your space.

  • Early career professionals who work for insurance companies (carriers, brokers, MGA, etc.) in all areas (underwriting, product, claims, technology, actuarial, sales, client services, etc.)
  • Insurance Leaders or those aspiring to be
  • Those looking to grow their career
  • Students interested in insurance
  • RISE members who are part of our committees, programs, and boards

What to Expect:

Get ready for two packed days of:

  • RISE Talks that deliver big ideas in bite-sized sessions
  • Interactive workshops where you’ll roll up your sleeves and get practical
  • Speed Mentoring with industry leaders who actually want to help you succeed
  • Career Labs designed to give you an edge
  • Wellness events like yoga on the beach, because leadership starts with self-care

And that’s not all! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and plenty of networking fuel, celebrate at the Awards Gala with dinner, honors, and those legendary photo ops, capture professional headshots to level up your LinkedIn game, plus RSVP for optional unforgettable social events. 

This isn’t just about what you’ll learn—it’s about who you’ll meet, how you’ll grow, and the memories you’ll make. Are you ready to lead?

Let’s RISE together.

 

 

 

 2025 Ticket Prices

 

 

Pricing

Dates

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Primary

Industry Supporter

Non-Industry Guest*

Early Bird

December 13 – January 28

$695

$1,295

$195

Standard

January 29 – April 30

$795

$1,495

$195

Late

May 1  – June 15

$895

$1,695

$195

On-Site

June 16 – June 18

$995

$1,895

$195

*Guest tickets are only available for non-industry attendees and must accompany a registered attendee. Guests are permitted to attend the Welcome Reception, VIP Reception (with invitation), and Awards Gala.

Bulk Ticket Package Available for Insurance Companies – Includes 10 tickets and branding opportunities at a 30% discount. Contact tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com to secure this package.

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Hotel:

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

3030 Holiday Drive

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

We are pleased to offer a group rate of $289/night! Book here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50944545

Room Block Cutoff is May 27!

(BEWARE OF SCAMS! RISE’s Official Housing Provider for the Leadership Summit & Awards Gala room block is Marriott directly through the Passkey reservation system. The link provided here is the ONLY link to book in the RISE room block for the event.)

Closest Airport:

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport (15 mins)

Alternative Airports: Palm Beach Int’l Airport (1 hour)

Miami Int’l Airport (45 mins)

Arriving and Departing: 

Registration opens on Monday, June 16 at 12pm. The event kicks off with a welcome reception at 5:00pm and ends on June 18 at 4pm. Optional Social Events will be held on June 18 from 5-8pm, The Awards Gala will be held on June 17 from 6-9pm. 

What is the dress code?

The attire for the Leadership Summit is business casual. The Awards Gala is Formal/Black Tie Optional Attire.

Can I bring a guest?

Non-Industry guests are permitted to attend with the purchase of a guest ticket at registration. Guests may attend the Welcome Reception, VIP Reception (with invitation), and the Awards Gala.

Can you accommodate my dietary restriction(s)?

Yes. Please be sure to include your dietary restriction(s) during the registration process.

What is the cancellation policy?

You may cancel your registration up to 45 days in advance for a full refund, less a $40 processing fee. Please submit your cancellation to tsnoddy@riseprofessionals.com

Are you offering professional headshots?

Yes! Sign up information will be provided in advance to registered attendees. 

Thank you to our amazing Event Steering Committee for your incredible energy, fresh ideas, and hard work! 

  • Aimee Venn
  • Becky Hudzik-Presson
  • Michelle Raue
  • DJ Gargano
  • Kayla Pigeon
  • Kyle Matthews
  • Rachel Jenkins
  • Scott Francis
  • Awais Farooq

Our most popular networking event is back!

Speed Mentoring is a fast-paced way for attendees to meet several different senior leaders and get a chance to ask their most pressing questions about the insurance industry, career, and leadership. 

~Speed Mentor List Coming Soon~

Attending the RISE Leadership Summit and Awards Gala is an incredible opportunity to grow professionally, gain insights into the insurance industry, and network with like-minded professionals. To help you make a strong case for attending, we’ve created email templates to send your boss or supervisor. Feel free to adjust them however you like!

Why Attend?

  • Professional Growth: Learn from industry leaders and attend sessions that will boost your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Networking: Connect with influential professionals in the insurance industry, expanding your network and opening new career opportunities.
  • Recognition: The Awards Gala highlights innovation, leadership, and impact in the industry. It’s an event you’ll want to be part of to see and be seen.
  • Inspiration: Gain fresh ideas and inspiration that you can bring back to your team or organization.

 
Templates:
 
Template 1: General Request
 
Subject: Request to Attend the RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala
 
Dear [Boss’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to request approval to attend the upcoming RISE Leadership Summit and Awards Gala on June 16 – 18. This event offers a unique opportunity for professional development and networking within the insurance industry, and I believe it will provide valuable insights that can directly benefit our team and organization.
Key benefits I anticipate from attending include:
  • Learning: Sessions on leadership, industry trends, and emerging challenges.
  • Networking: Connecting with industry professionals and thought leaders.
  • Recognition: The Awards Gala highlights excellence and innovation, and I look forward to learning from the best in the field.
The event will provide me with actionable insights that I can bring back to the team, ensuring we stay ahead in our industry. I would appreciate your support in approving this opportunity.
Thank you for considering this request, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 

Template 2: Value-Based Request
 
Subject: Professional Development Opportunity – RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala
 
Dear [Boss’s Name],
I am writing to request your approval to attend the RISE Leadership Summit and Awards Gala on June 16 – 18. This event is a premier opportunity to gain valuable skills and insights from top professionals in the insurance industry, which I can apply to my current role and our ongoing projects.
Some key takeaways I expect from attending include:
  • Exposure to cutting-edge leadership strategies.
  • Strategies to drive team performance and engagement.
  • Opportunities to forge connections with industry leaders that could benefit our company.
The event’s focus on leadership development aligns directly with our goals for [mention a relevant company goal or project], and I believe attending will equip me with new tools to contribute even more effectively.
I would greatly appreciate your consideration of this professional development opportunity and look forward to discussing it further with you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 

Template 3: ROI-Focused Request
 
Subject: ROI from Attending the RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala
 
Dear [Boss’s Name],
I am seeking your approval to attend the RISE Leadership Summit and Awards Gala on June 16 – 18. This event will offer critical knowledge and strategies that will directly benefit our [department/team/organization] and help us stay competitive in the ever-evolving insurance industry.
The ROI from attending includes:
  • Insights into industry trends that could impact our business and strategy.
  • Networking opportunities with decision-makers and influencers in the insurance space.
  • Professional development sessions that will enhance my leadership and communication skills, allowing me to bring immediate value back to the team.
I believe that the knowledge and connections gained at this event will result in actionable strategies and insights that will ultimately benefit our company’s goals. Thank you for considering this request—I’m happy to discuss how this opportunity will directly contribute to our success.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 
Template 4: Professional Development

Subject: Request to Attend Rise Leadership Summit for Professional Development

Hi [Boss’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well!

I’d like to request approval to attend the RISE Leadership Summit, a professional development conference designed for high-performing professionals in our industry. I believe this would be a valuable opportunity for both my own growth and for what I can bring back to the team.

In the last year, I’ve:

  • Taken on new challenges with [specific example or project],
  • Contributed to [impact or accomplishment],
  • Continued to develop my leadership and communication skills in [another example].

This summit offers several breakout sessions and courses, but three in particular stand out as highly aligned with my current goals and responsibilities:

  1. [Course Title 1] – which would sharpen my ability to [specific skill relevant to your role].
  2. [Course Title 2] – focused on [another skill], something that would directly support my performance in [responsibility or project].
  3. [Course Title 3] – a great fit for helping me grow in [leadership, communication, etc.].

Beyond the sessions, the event also offers networking and idea-sharing with peers in the industry. I’d plan to bring back notes, key insights, and potentially new tools or processes that could benefit our team.

Attending would also give me a chance to represent and promote what I love about my role here and the work we do as a company—helping to position us as a top employer in our space.

Let me know if you’d like me to share more about the agenda or logistics. I’d be excited to make the most of the opportunity and share what I learn with the team.

Thanks so much for considering this!

Best,

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Amy Cooper at acooper@riseprofessionals.com or Katerina Garavito at kgaravito@riseprofessionals.com for more information.

Thank You to Our Sponsors


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