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Get ready to amp up the excitement at this year’s WCI Conference! We’re bringing the energy straight to you with an unforgettable performance from the one and only Big & Rich – one of the most dynamic duos in music today!

Our beloved Monday Night Reception on August 18, promises to be a night of high-energy music and a whole lot of fun as Big & Rich bring their chart-topping hits to life in a performance you won’t want to miss. From “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” to “Comin’ to Your City”, these country music legends are ready to make this a night to remember.

“We’re all about bringing the best to our attendees, and Big & RIch are about to crank the energy up to 11 on the WCI Stage! Their performance is going to be off the charts – electric, packed with epic moments, and guaranteed to have everyone singing, dancing, and having a blast. Let’s make some lasting memories with our fellow workers’ comp stars!

– Andrew Sabolic, WCI’s Executive Director

 

 

One of the pillars of WCI is its chartable-giving initiatives. Give Kids The World and Kids Chance of Florida remain the focus of our philanthropic efforts, however due to the success of our annual conference WCI is expanding its giving to other charities who help those who are in need.

Helping Rebuild LA After the Wildfires

WCI has donated $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles. WCI’s Executive Director, Andrew Sabolic shared, “The wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and the impact on families and individuals who lost their homes is immeasurable. We are honored to play a small role in Habitat for Humanity’s rebuilding efforts.”

How Habitat LA is Making an Impact

Homeownership is the core of Habitat LA! They offer a hand-up, not a hand-out, to low-income families looking to buy a home. Homes are sold to qualifying families and financed with affordable homes loans in addition to the owners’ sweat equity of approximately 500 hours. Each year, Habitat LA also partners with low-income homeowners to provide critical health and safety repairs to the interior and exterior of their homes.

“This generous donation from Workers’ Compensation Institute comes at a critical time as we work to rebuild LA. One of our first projects will be to rebuild an Altadena home built by Habitat in 2023 and destroyed in the January 2025 fire. We have several ongoing fire related projects involved in the ReBUILD LA Wildfire Recovery Fund and appreciate the support and building bridges with organizations like WCI, Gallagher Bassett and Sedgwick” said Chris Untiet, Director of Community Relations.

Providing Comfort to Families in Need

In addition to funds from WCI, Gentle Bear (actually a dozen Gentle Bears) were donated by Gallagher Bassett. After explaining the origins of Gentle Bear and the significance of care and compassion and combatting PTSD, Mr. Untiet commented, “We will be passing the Gentle Bears out to children impacted by the fires at our wildfire relief distribution event in March. In a time of much anxiety and sadness we are sure their new snuggly and supportive friend will provide some hope and comfort.”

Coming Together to Support Recovery

VP in GBs Carrier Practice, multi-year speaker at WCI and volunteer with GKTW, Caryn Siebert commented, “seeing the joy on the faces of Chris, Erin and Dinese during today’s presentation reminds me of the importance of the work we are doing directly and through WCI. Caring about our communities and supporting efforts in restoring people’s sense of normalcy is part of why I love #lifeatgallagher.”

Sedgwick’s VP of workers’ compensation practice, Scotty Benton stated, “it was great being able to share in furthering the mission of Chris and his team. The passion they show for the work they do in supporting the community and truly making a difference in their lives is amazing. It was a pleasure to be a small part of such an event. They truly exhibit Sedgwick’s philosophy of Caring Counts.”

Are you ready to crank up the excitement and make this year’s WCI conference the most unforgettable one yet? We’re bringing the energy and trust us – this is going to be an absolutely star-studded experience!

WCI is excited to announce this year’s theme: WCI Palooza – The Comp Stars Are All Here!

WCI’s Executive Director, Andrew Sabolic, shares, “Our attendees and exhibitors always look forward to the theme announcement. It sets the tone and creates an atmosphere that touches every aspect of the conference. This theme is a celebration of our industry’s workforce- those dedicated to serving the needs of injured workers, policy holders, clients, and more. At WCI, you are all Comp Stars!”

This year’s WCI Palooza theme is electric, and you’ll feel it in every corner of the conference – whether it’s at the Give Kids the World Annual Gala, our Keynote Speaker, or Monday Night’s Reception & Entertainment. The festive, vibrant theme will carry you all the way through the Exhibit Hall and into the 2nd Annual Tuesday Night Soiree. Trust us, you’ll want to be there for every moment.

This year, we’re turning up the volume with a celebration of the brightest stars in workers’ compensation. Whether you’re here to learn, network or give back, WCI Palooza is your backstage pass to a show-stopping experience, featuring:

• Star-powered keynote speakers ready to inspire and energize
• Dynamic panel discussions featuring the biggest comp stars in the industry
• Education sessions designed to level up your skills
• Networking opportunities fit for you, our VIPs, to connect and celebrate in style

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Stay tuned for more information on the Kids’ Chance of Florida Golf Tournament and other exciting events – details will be coming soon in our future WCI Spotlights.

Mark your calendar and get ready to join us this August for a chart-topping experience. The comp stars are ready to shine, and we want YOU there to celebrate with us!

We can’t wait to see you at WCI Palooza!

We are excited to announce that Julie Sabolic has joined the Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) as our new Director of Sponsor and Exhibitor Relations. Julie brings a wealth of experience in event management and community relations, and we are thrilled to have her on board to help strengthen our partnerships and support our mission.

Julie shares, “I am thrilled to join the team at the Workers’ Compensation Institute. I look forward to fostering meaningful relationships and collaborating with our valued partners to create innovative and impactful opportunities that will drive success for everyone involved. I am excited to contribute to the continued growth of this exceptional organization and support our shared mission of advancing workers’ compensation.”

Julie’s background in event management and community engagement perfectly aligns with her new role. She most recently served as Member Relations Manager for the Tampa Downtown Partnership, where she played a key role in building strong community ties and fostering collaborations. Prior to that, Julie spent eight years in higher education and non-profits, where she led strategy, communications, and logistics for large-scale events, philanthropies, and fundraisers.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Event Management with a specialty in Leadership Studies from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Education with a concentration in Counselor Education and Student Affairs from Clemson University.

We are confident that Julie’s expertise and passion will be instrumental in creating valuable opportunities for our exhibitors, sponsors, and the broader workers’ compensation community. Please join us in welcoming Julie to the WCI team!

Please feel free to reach out to Julie at [email protected] with any sponsorship or exhibit hall questions.

Recently, WCI donated $10,000 to the Red Cross to assist those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. WCI’s Board of Advisors stated “With many of our attendees coming from around the nation, especially from Florida and the southeastern states, this donation reflects WCI’s spirit of giving back to those who are in need.” Sharon Carraway, Executive Director, North Florida Region, accepted the donation on behalf of the American Red Cross.