BIP Winter 2025

R egion II enters 2026 with momentum and major responsi bilities. “It’s a big year for us,” says RVP Stacy Fry, noting that the region will host NABIP’s Annual Convention in Atlantic City this June. “The New Jersey team knows how to balance content and entertainment—they throw a great confer ence. We’re excited to show what Atlantic City can do and hopefully change a few perceptions along the way.” Beyond the national spotlight, Fry is focused on strengthening member connection and education across market segments. “We’ve heard the feedback from members who sometimes feel their niche — whether Medicare or group health — doesn’t get enough support,” she says. “My goal is to help everyone see how these markets are interconnected. What happens in one affects the other.” That focus on collaboration extends across chapters. Leaders in Pennsylvania have shared their Emerging Leaders Program model with peers in other states, and Fry says that kind of cross-pollination is critical for solving shared challenges like succession planning. “We don’t all have to figure it out alone,” she says. “When one state finds something that works, we should all benefit from it.” Membership growth and generational transition remain top of mind. “We have an older association,” Fry says. “People are retiring faster than new professionals are entering the business.” Her strategy emphasizes proactive outreach to large agencies and universities, us ing social media and storytelling to attract the next wave of leaders. “We can’t just wait for people to find us,” she adds. “We have to meet them where they are.” REGION II Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C.

REGION I Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont R egion I begins the year with a renewed sense of purpose. RVP Bill Stuart says his focus is on “building on the success Michelle [Gentile] achieved and keep ing our smaller states connected.” Legislative issues remain front and center. In New York, single-payer proposals continue to surface. Connecticut’s small group market is shrinking as carriers leave and rates rise. Massachusetts faces ongoing questions about whether insurer reserves should help fund public health programs. Membership and engagement are top pri orities. “We’re working to rebuild a statewide chapter in New Hampshire,” Stuart says. “Two Medicare agents have already stepped forward to lead that effort.” He also plans to raise Maine’s national visibility and keep Rhode Island and Vermont members engaged by inviting them to neighboring state events. Scholarships and chapter sponsorships will help send more first-time attendees to Capitol Conference and Annual Convention. “Once people experience NABIP at the national level, they get it,” Stuart says. “They see the value for themselves.”

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