2026 ANNUAL CONVENTION
February 2-4, 2026
Hyatt Regency, Wichita
Be part of the largest gathering of Kansas independent agents, brokers, and industry partners as we tackle the insurance industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
The 2026 KAIA Annual Convention brings together a powerhouse lineup of speakers who embody this year’s theme, Charging Into the Future: Technology, Tenacity, and Transformation. From national thought leaders to industry innovators, our speakers will inspire, challenge, and equip you with tools to navigate today’s rapidly changing insurance landscape.
Keynote Speaker: Marques Ogden
Marques Ogden is a dynamic keynote speaker, former NFL offensive lineman, and founder/CEO of Ogden Ventures, LLC.
Raised in a single-parent home, Marques learned early the power of resilience and integrity, values that carried him through college football at Howard University and into a five-year NFL career.
At just 27 he launched a construction company that saw tremendous early growth—but it ultimately crashed, costing him his business, income, and identity.
From his lowest lows—working a night shift as a custodian and rebuilding from scratch—Marques transformed adversity into growth.
Today, Marques is a sought-after speaker, business coach, and best-selling author whose message centers on authenticity, leadership, accountability, and the power to rise after failure.
In his keynote, “Thriving Through the Eye of the Storm: How To Charge Forward Like A Bison,” Marques shares his remarkable journey and equips attendees with strategies to embrace challenges head-on, navigate uncertainty, and emerge stronger. With a compelling mix of real-world experience, authenticity, and energy, Marques empowers individuals and organizations to charge forward with confidence and purpose.
Audiences leave equipped with actionable tools to lead with purpose, recover from setbacks, and unlock sustainable growth in their personal and professional lives.
Sam Bennett
Sam is an active retail producer, presenter, and shareholder at Harrison Agency, Inc. of Columbia, MO. He has worked in the personal lines, commercial lines, and life & health markets. Sam teaches as a faculty member for the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, presents at insurance conferences across the country, and serves as an expert witness in cases involving insurance.
Chris Boggs
Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS, is president of Boggs Risk & Insurance Consulting (BRIC). Since starting his insurance career in 1990, he has authored over 2,000 articles, 15 books, and delivered nearly 1,000 presentations for industry organizations nationwide. Widely recognized for his expertise, Boggs has earned multiple professional awards and holds nine insurance designations.
Meg McKeen
Meg McKeen, CIC, is the founder of Adjunct Advisors LLC, where she empowers insurance professionals—especially women—to build careers rooted in clarity, confidence, and connection. With over 20 years in underwriting, agency, and consulting roles, she brings both technical expertise and human-centered insight to her work as a coach, speaker, and facilitator. Meg is also the host of the Bound & Determined℠ podcast, creating community and conversation for women in insurance.
Monicka Richmeier
Monicka serves as the Director of Licensing for the Kansas Department of Insurance, overseeing the processing of license applications, customer service for producers and applicants, and enforcement of insurance code violations. Before joining the Department in 2021, she worked in law enforcement, including roles as a police officer, field training officer, and special agent with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, where she launched the state’s Roofing Registration Unit. A native of Belleville, Kansas, Monicka earned a B.S. in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology from Pittsburg State University.
Jason Sabo
Jason Sabo is a Business Consultant with IIANC, where he helps member agencies grow through improved sales, operations, and strategic planning. He brings experience from roles at OneAmerica, Farmers Insurance, and as an account executive in an independent agency. Jason holds a B.S. in Business Management from Franklin Pierce University.
Greg Sandrock
Greg Sandrock is a primary owner of The Cornerstone Agency in Tampico, Illinois, and was installed as Big “I” vice chair in September 2025. A past president and national director of Big I of Illinois, he joined the Big “I” Executive Committee in 2022 and has held leadership roles on the Crop Task Force, InsurPac Board of Trustees, and Government Affairs Committee. A strong advocate for crop insurance, Greg works to ensure farm agents’ voices are heard in farm bill negotiations.
Heath Shearon
Heath Shearon, known as “The Mayor of Insurance Town,” is a second-generation insurance professional with nearly 20 years of experience in agency sales, carrier marketing, and consulting. He is the creator and host of the Insurance Town podcast, which has released over 280 episodes since 2020, and is also a performance coach with Agency Performance Partners. A nationally recognized speaker and thought leader, Heath is known for his energy, humor, and storytelling as he works to build community within the insurance industry.
Bobby Shomo
Bobby began his career on the company side with Allstate and Safeco before returning to the insurance industry in 2005 by purchasing Koehler Insurance. In 2010, he partnered with Steve Madsen to acquire Security Bank Insurance and merge their operations, focusing on commercial insurance for schools and municipalities. He holds a BA in theology, an MBA in finance and accounting, and earned his CIC designation in 2012. Today, Bobby also serves as a National Instructor for the National Alliance in Agency Management and Life & Health.
Dale Steinke
Dale Steinke is a director with Agent for the Future Advisors, a Liberty Mutual, Safeco, and State Auto initiative that helps independent agencies succeed through innovation and technology. A former journalist and AI specialist, he equips agents with digital tools and strategies to meet evolving customer expectations and grow their businesses. Dale regularly shares insights on integrating AI into sales, marketing, and operations, highlighting practical ways agencies can leverage emerging technology.
What people say...
"The speakers were very informative. I was able to retain a lot of the information because it was introduced in a manner that was very engaging."
Krista Burkhart, Producer