The MAIA’s Heather Kramer Reflects on this year’s event
Every year, Big Event brings New England’s insurance community together under one roof, and this year more than 1,500 agency leaders, producers, carriers and industry partners joined us.
What stood out to me most was the overall positivity and energy of everyone who attended. It was wonderful to see so many people engaged, networking, learning and genuinely enjoying their time together. One of the best things about this industry is the relationships we build, and seeing so many friends and colleagues from across the industry come together is always something special. That energy is what makes this event so memorable.
Our theme this year was “Celebrating Independence.” To me, that means recognizing the incredible entrepreneurs and business leaders who make up our membership. Some have built their agencies from the ground up, some are carrying on a family legacy, and others are leading established businesses into the future. What they all have in common is the ability to run their businesses successfully, on their own terms, and in the way they believe is best for their agencies, their clients and their business partners.
They have the freedom to adapt, innovate, and respond to the ever-changing challenges of our industry in ways that work best for them. There is no single formula for success, and that’s the beauty of independence. And while they may all take different paths, they share a common purpose: helping individuals and businesses protect what matters most and giving them peace of mind knowing that when something goes wrong, they have someone in their corner to help them get back on their feet.
Of course, we can’t overlook the bigger picture this year. As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, it’s a wonderful reminder of the value of independence and something we can all take pride in as Americans!
Education is always a big part of Big Event, and this year we offered more than 75 continuing education credits. I believe continuing education is essential, because when you stop learning, you stop contributing!
Our classes are designed to support everyone, wherever they are in their professional journey. Whether it’s an established leader taking part in professional development, someone working toward the prestigious AILP designation, an agent looking to learn more about a policy while earning CE credits, or someone just starting out in a licensing class, everyone is there for the same reason. They want to grow their knowledge and become better at what they do. That investment in themselves ultimately benefits their agencies, their clients and the industry as a whole.
One thing we consistently hear from attendees is, “There’s so much going on, I wish I could attend everything!” We know that’s not possible, but it’s a great problem to have. It tells us we’re doing what we set out to do, which is to offer enough variety that there truly is something for everyone.
We strive to make every attendee feel like a VIP because, quite honestly, they are! We know how busy everyone is, and we appreciate that people take time out of their week to be with us. We don’t take that lightly. Our goal is for everyone to walk away thinking, “That was valuable. I’m glad I came, and I can’t wait to see what they put together for us next year!”
Whether you come for education, networking, professional development or simply to reconnect with friends and colleagues, we hope you leave with something meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this year. We look forward to seeing you again at Big Event 2027, September 23–26, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. And for those who haven’t attended yet, I’ll borrow a little inspiration from Nike: Just do it! You won’t be sorry you did.
Heather Kramer
Vice President & COO, Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
