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The WCI® 2026 conference agenda is now live! You can explore session descriptions, learn more about our distinguished speakers, and view our growing roster of exhibitors and sponsors.
“Our breakout and session organizers have once again delivered an exceptional program. I’m incredibly grateful for the time and effort they’ve invested in identifying relevant topics our attendees truly value and securing industry experts to lead these discussions.“
— Andrew Sabolic, WCI Executive Director
“This year’s educational program reflects the breadth and complexity of today’s workers’ compensation, safety, and health landscape. I’m particularly excited about the addition of our new Liability Claims breakout. We’re also excited to welcome back Mark Walls and Kimberly George as moderators of our Industry Keynote Panel: The Next Decade of Risk – Are You Built to Survive It?
Education is the primary reason attendees return to WCI year after year, and we remain committed to delivering a best-in-class experience.“
—Steve Rissman, WCI Program Chair
From emerging trends and innovative topics to essential refreshers and continuing education opportunities, the WCI conference continues to provide an unmatched learning experience. By combining longtime attendee favorites with expert-driven proposals and valuable feedback, we ensure our content remains timely, relevant, and engaging.
Take a moment to explore the agenda and start building your personalized schedule today. And be sure to watch for upcoming editions of WCI Spotlight, where we’ll highlight featured sessions and key conference activities.
Registered attendees will receive email instructions on how to download the official 2026 conference app – Whova. The app allows you to customize your agenda, connect with fellow attendees, interact with exhibitors and sponsors, communicate directly with speakers, and elevate your overall conference experience. Hard copy programs will be mailed to attendees in early July.
WCI’s Board of Advisors play a significant role in the educational conference’s success. The Board provides strategic guidance, fundraising support, expertise contributions, and program review and feedback.
WCI is thrilled to announce Irina Simpson has joined the Board of Advisors. Irina is Executive Vice President, Workers’ Compensation for Gallagher Bassett. A seasoned executive, she has led national, multi-line claims and client service operations and most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer. Known for her strategic leadership and operational excellence, Irina is passionate about developing talent, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement.
“It is an honor to be welcomed to this impressive Board of Advisors with such a distinguished group of industry leaders. WCI has long been known as an exceptional forum for collaboration, thought leadership, and bringing together diverse and innovative perspectives for our industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to join, contribute to the progress that has already been made, and to support the important mission of this organization.“
— Irina Simpson
WCI is proud to continue its meaningful philanthropic partnership with Give Kids The World (GKTW), reaffirming a longstanding commitment to giving back to families in need. In 2025 alone, the WCI community raised more than $165,000 for Give Kids The World Village, bringing WCI’s 12-year cumulative total to more than $1.36 million. This remarkable achievement reflects the generosity and compassion of WCI members, sponsors, and conference attendees, whose support continues to grow year after year.
“As we launch the 2026 campaign, we are incredibly proud of the impact our community has made through this partnership. The support shown year after year demonstrates the heart of WCI. Together, we are not only raising funds but also creating moments of joy and hope for families who truly deserve it. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.“
— Andrew Sabolic, Executive Director, WCI
Spirit to Serve
WCI’s commitment to Give Kids The World is led by the Spirit to Serve Committee, which plays a vital role in organizing fundraising initiatives, service opportunities, and special events throughout the year.
“It is a privilege to continue serving as Chair of the Spirit to Serve Committee. Our volunteers and sponsors bring incredible energy and passion to this cause, and their dedication is what makes these efforts so impactful. The 2026 events are shaping up to be truly special, and we’re excited to invite our community to be part of it.“
— Doug Clark, Chair of WCI’s Spirit to Serve Committee
2026 Give Back Gala
One of the highlights of the campaign will be the WCI 2026 Give Back Gala & Silent Auction: Putting On The Ritz, taking place on Saturday, August 22 at Orlando World Center Marriott. Attendees can look forward to an evening of celebration, entertainment, and philanthropy, all in support of Give Kids The World.
Get Involved
Kids’ Chance of America (KCOA), in partnership with the Workers Compensation Institute (WCI®), is launching Kids’ Chance WORKS, a new initiative designed to prepare students affected by workplace injury or death for life after high school. Building on KCOA’s legacy of awarding more than 11,000 scholarships since 1988, WORKS expands the organization’s impact beyond financial aid to include career exploration, workforce readiness, and long-term planning.
WORKS will serve students in KCOA’s Planning for the Future pipeline and scholarship recipients by providing tools, guidance, and connections to pursue a wide range of post-secondary pathways—college, apprenticeships, skills training, military service, or direct entry into the workforce. Special emphasis will be placed on careers in, across, and adjacent to the workers’ compensation industry, leveraging students’ lived experiences and interest in shaping its future.
Guided by three core principles—Student First, Community Centered, and Workforce Centered—the program will offer individualized support, create an alumni advisory council, and build a national network of career and mentorship opportunities.
To launch and grow the initiative, KCOA is receiving a minimum $100,000 investment over five years from WCI®. This partnership will enable program development, national collaboration, and long-term innovation, helping ensure that every Kids’ Chance student graduates high school with both a plan and the support needed to succeed.
“Kids’ Chance has always focused on removing financial barriers to education, but students also need direction, exposure and connection as they plan their futures. Through WCI’s partnership, Kids’ Chance WORKS will give our students the tools to discover their passions, explore real career options and graduate high school with confidence and purpose. This investment will shape the next generation of leaders while strengthening the entire Kids’ Chance movement.”
“WCI is proud to partner with Kids’ Chance to launch a program that aligns opportunity with impact. Kids’ Chance WORKS will empower students impacted by a parent’s work-related injury or death to build fulfilling careers while strengthening the pipeline of talent connected to the workers’ compensation community. We believe this initiative will create lasting benefits for students, families and our industry.”
“The Workers’ Compensation Institute has a rich history of making significant contributions to the education and advancement of the Workers’ Compensation industry,” said Mike Hessling. “I am also proud that our conference provides financial support for many incredible nonprofit organizations.”
“Our commitment to Kids’ Chance WORKS brings these two passions together, providing meaningful workplace readiness and mentorship opportunities for students whose families have been impacted by workplace injuries. This is truly a tremendous partnership for WCI, KCOA and our industry.”
The Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) is pleased to announce that Daymond John — Founder & CEO of FUBU, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, CEO of The Shark Group, and best‑selling author — will headline the Opening Session of the 2026 Workers’ Compensation Educational, Safety, and Health Conference on Monday, August 24.
“We are honored to welcome Daymond John as our 2026 Keynote Speaker. His story of resilience, creativity, and determination embodies the spirit of innovation we strive to champion within the workers’ compensation community. Our attendees will benefit tremendously from his perspective on leadership, strategy, and building opportunities in any environment. He is a true reflection of our Bold Ideas and Big Impact conference theme.“
— Andrew Sabolic, Executive Director, WCI
About Daymond John
An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, John’s journey began when he took out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s home to launch his business from their basement. From those humble beginnings, he built FUBU into a global lifestyle brand with more than $6 billion in product sales. Over his career he has earned more than 35 major awards, including Brandweek’s Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age’s Marketing 1000 Award, Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year, and a top‑five placement on LinkedIn’s Top 20 Voices list.
John is also the CEO of The Shark Group, a consulting firm that helps companies shape powerful marketing strategies, connect with celebrity partnerships, and engage consumers in innovative ways. He is the author of multiple best‑selling books including The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). His sixth book, Powershift, explores his proven approach to negotiating, transforming challenges, and achieving breakthrough outcomes.
Celebrating his 11th season on the Emmy‑winning business show Shark Tank, John continues to inspire millions of weekly viewers with his entrepreneurial insight and marketing expertise.
About the WCI Conference
The Workers’ Compensation Educational, Safety, and Health Conference is one of the nation’s largest gatherings dedicated to advancing education, safety, health, and professional excellence within the workers’ compensation industry. Thousands of professionals from across the country attend each year to learn, collaborate, and engage with leading voices in the field.
Each year, WCI unveils a conference theme that reflects a key element of the workers’ compensation community. The theme connects to our Keynote Speaker, shapes the experience of our Monday Night Reception, and inspires exhibitors as they bring creativity and excitement to the Exhibit Hall.
We are proud to share our 2026 Conference theme: WCI Goes Glam – Bold Ideas & Big Impact
“WCI is thrilled to announce this year’s conference theme: WCI Goes Glam – Bold Ideas & Big Impact. The conference brings together all segments of the workers’ compensation industry. Each year, cutting-edge ideas are born here. New services and products are showcased. The workers’ compensation industry is very competitive and filled with many talented leaders, and the theme is a testament to the people who generate solutions to make the industry grow and thrive.”
— Andrew Sabolic, Executive Director, WCI