WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Olympic gold medal winner and World Champion swimmer Katie Ledecky will speak at the Insured Retirement Institute’s (IRI) 2025 annual conference in Tampa, Florida. The event will be held at the JW Marriott Tampa from March 26 to 28.
Adapting her lessons from the pool to the workplace, Ledecky will provide her Olympian-level perspective on inspiring high performance for teams and individuals in any field. She will also offer tips for recognizing when pivoting is necessary for success.
IRI’s event has set attendance and sponsorship records for three consecutive years, and the association is going for the gold again this year to hit another record.
“We are thrilled to have Katie Ledecky at this year’s conference to share her unique story and experience with our members,” said Wayne Chopus, President and CEO of IRI. “The momentum and enthusiasm for this year’s conference began immediately after our 2024 event as several member companies began planning for their 2025 attendance and sponsorship opportunities. We are very confident that we will once again deliver a superior experience.”
Chopus said that continuous member engagement throughout the year is critical to building a program with in-demand content and several opportunities for attendee networking.
The conference will begin with a panel of industry leaders who will offer their perspectives on critical issues facing the insured retirement industry. The panel features Kevin Hogan, President and CEO at Corebridge Financial; Nick Lane, President of Equitable; and Grant Kvalheim, Chief Executive Officer and President at Athene USA. Wayne Chopus will moderate the session.
The conference also includes IRI’s 2025 Women in Leadership Symposium, which will bring together industry executives representing different perspectives to discuss the unique needs of the female consumer.
Sessions focused on advancements in IRI’s Digital First for Annuities initiative, compliance and advocacy, and annuity markets are also included in this year’s program.
Additional sessions will focus on how the insured retirement industry can advance its public policy goals with a new Congress and Administration. Several sessions are also devoted to challenges and opportunities to meet consumer demand for the asset protection, tax deferment, and protected lifetime income that annuities provide.
In addition to Ledecky, two other keynote speakers will deliver unique perspectives on technology and communication.
Evy Poumpouras is a former Secret Service Special Agent, interrogator, and co-host of Bravo TV’s “Spy Games.” She will teach attendees action steps for commanding respect and authority through body language, developing verbal skills to convey ideas with conviction, and decoding verbal language to understand what people are really saying.
Chris Barton is the founder and creator of Shazam, a music app that allows users to identify songs with just a short sample captured through a phone or other device. Attendees will learn a new framework of thinking to create change through technology as he inspires with jaw-dropping stories about creating his highly successful app.
IRI will recognize several outstanding industry leaders with its Industry Champion of Retirement Security Award, the IRI Leadership Award, and the Rising Star Award.
“We have packed a lot into three days to maximize attendees’ learning and networking opportunities,” said Chopus. “This conference has become the premier industry event and a hub for executives to collaborate and connect. These opportunities strengthen bonds and understanding of critical issues that help propel IRI and our industry forward.”
Sponsorship opportunities are selling quickly. Contact Anna Hildreth, Vice President, Marketing & Events, to inquire about or reserve a sponsorship.
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