Staying Sharp: Why the AIA Conference Is a Must-Attend for Insurance Pros

Every year, the Aviation Insurance Association (AIA) hosts a four-day annual convention. It’s a great meeting point for everything aviation insurance, bringing together brokers, underwriters, reinsurers, attorneys and training providers in one spot. 

Together, we network, receive continuing education and discuss industry trends shaping the future of aviation insurance. 

The AIA convention is also a terrific platform for new insurers to formally launch, and for legacy insurers to announce expanded capabilities and product offerings. 

News from AIA2025

This year’s show, which wrapped in late April, saw some major news and announcements from Class A, a new insurer in the owner-flown turbine space. 

Two major product line announcements were unveiled by Beacon and IAT, who both confirmed expanded product line offerings and capacity increases in hull and liability limits. This news is expected to further soften the aviation insurance market while expanding legacy insurers’ offerings to compete in the space. 

As a result, liability limits for owner-flown risks are becoming more attainable and cost-effective, depending on the underlying pilot qualifications. Increased competition in the space continues to breed softer market conditions.

The AIA Conference: A Must-Attend Event

In the evolving landscape, the AIA conference plays a critical role for aviation insurance brokers. It provides a rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with underwriters and discuss everything from agency portfolios, service and technology topics to lessons learned from the past year’s business with each carrier. 

The four days at AIA are full of meetings, continuing education classes/sessions and social/networking events. It’s invaluable for insurance brokers to attend each year to keep in touch with product offerings, but more importantly, keep relationships moving forward with underwriting carriers in the space. 

Early in my career, I’d often skip the AIA conference, unaware of its value. As my career has matured, I’ve realized how important this annual event is to remain at the top of my craft in the brokerage space.

As the industry moves forward, the market leaders in the underwriting and broker space are rising to the top. They’re the ones who remain on the cutting edge of technology and product information, both on the underwriting side and brokerage side. 

Relationships typically trump everything, and those are built, cultivated and maintained at AIA. So, it behooves us as insurance underwriters and service providers to take in this incredible resource annually to keep our tools sharp.