NAIFA looks to add ‘sizzle’ to annual conference for 2026

One of the industry’s oldest professional associations hopes to add some “sizzle” to its annual convention by partnering with a live events studio to reimagine the event for 2026.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is working with Connectiv, owners of Medicarians and the creators of InsureTech Connect and Manifest, to create Protectors Vegas 2026, a new event dedicated to advancing innovation and growth across the life and annuity landscape.

Protectors Vegas will be held Nov. 9-11, 2026, at The Venetian Las Vegas. More than 1,500 leaders from the income protection and financial security fields – including advisors, carriers, distributors, innovators and investors – are expected to attend and collaborate on the future of financial protection for American families.

Protectors will take the place of APEX, NAIFA’s national networking and educational conference that evolved from the association’s annual convention and career conference.

A partnership for a new event

“Protectors represents our shared belief that this is a defining moment for life and annuity professionals,” said Jay Weintraub, founder and CEO of Connectiv. “When the right people are together, ideas accelerate and possibilities expand. Through our partnership with NAIFA, we are creating not just an event but a platform whose ultimate goal is to help Americans live life on their own terms — with security and confidence.”

“Our members are financial professionals dedicated to helping families plan and protect their futures,” said Kevin Mayeux, CEO of NAIFA. “Joining forces with Connectiv — whose team has a proven track record of building vibrant, high-impact live experiences — ensures that Protectors Vegas will become a catalyst for professional growth and industry transformation.”

Mayeux told InsuranceNewsNet that Protectors came about as the association’s leadership looked at ways to increase participation in its annual event. “We looked at what we can do to attract more people to go to the NAIFA conference to enjoy the camaraderie, to get the professional development and education, to understand what we do and be part of our community.”

NAIFA looks to bring FOMO to event

Connectiv’s events have attracted more than 15,000 people each year, according to the company’s website. Events have centered on a number of industries ranging from real estate to supply chain logistics.

Medicarians is in its fifth year and brings more than 5,000 people to the largest gathering of professionals in the senior market. Insuretech Connect attracts more than 9,000 industry participants with 500 industry leaders making presentations on 14 stages during the multiday event.

While most industry events have not seen their attendance recover from prepandemic levels, “Medicarians really blossomed,” Mayeux said. “What they're doing is this blend of good content and good networking, but also enthusiasm and hype and sizzle, and that seems to be drawing people to it. It's almost like FOMO, you know, fear of missing out.”

After hearing from NAIFA members about the success of Medicarians, Mayeux said the association leaders began to ask, “What are they doing? What's their special sauce? What's different than what we've done, and what every other group in the space that I've been to done that draws so many people and gets so much excitement and enthusiasm?

“It’s the way [Connectiv] designs the conference. You have tons of breakout sessions, but you also have these incredibly hyped, amped-up motivational speakers and good opportunities to network through the marketplace. If you have an event that draws that many people, I think it’s great for NAIFA because not only will that motivate our own people to go to the event, but it will also give us an opportunity to market NAIFA membership and involvement to financial professionals who currently aren’t part of NAIFA. So I think it’s a huge win-win.”

Mayeux said the event will be branded Protectors Vegas 2026, powered by NAIFA. Connectiv described it as a three-day program featuring sessions led by top executives, policymakers and innovators; networking linking advisors, distributors and capital partners; and an expo hall spotlighting technologies, products and partnerships shaping the next era of financial protection.

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].