2026 Governance Conference

View the schedule.

Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Managing multi-year strategic priorities
• Navigating conflict styles in team and board meetings
• Solving legacy challenges with data integration and insight
• Trends shaping health care costs in 2026
• How AI-powered cybersecurity benefits public entities
• The impact of obesity and GLP-1 drugs on claims and costs
• How public entities and pools can access opioid settlement money for risk management
• Communicating difficult rate increases and coverage changes to members
• Understanding the impact of rate or pricing decisions over time
• Using scenarios and stochastic models to ensure funding adequacy
• Auditing prescription drug costs and preventing pricing fraud
• How pools make a difference when public employees are severely injured at work
• How to reduce day-to-day busyness, protect focus and improve outcomes
• How to use AI to solve knowledge and retention challenges

All times are CT (Nashville, TN) and subject to change.

Sunday, March 1

• Conference registration desk opens (8 a.m.)
• Pooling Basics — Optional training, open to all AGRiP members. See details in Registration and Pricing. (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Nashville Legends Spotlight Tour at Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry — Optional activity, open to members and their guests. See details in Registration and Pricing. (12:15–5 p.m.)
• Welcome reception (5:30–7 p.m.)

Monday, March 2

• AGRiP Orientation — Optional breakfast session, open to all attendees. People newer to pooling or AGRiP are encouraged to attend. (7:30 a.m.)
• Keynote presentation from AGRiP’s 2026 Resident, Juliet Funt, with strategies to boost operational efficiency while keeping a member service mindset (9 a.m.)
• Presentation of our 2026 Awards for Excellence (10 a.m.)
• Concurrent sessions (until 4 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 3

• Keynote presentation from Danny Stoian, a longtime American diplomat, with practical advice for managing different conflict styles in meetings and on work teams (9 a.m.)
• Concurrent sessions (until 3:15 p.m.)
• Keynote presentation from Ann Gergen, AGRiP's executive director, about top trends and influences impacting public entity risk pools today (until 4:15 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 4

• Keynote presentation from Steve Trautman, talent expert and past AGRiP Resident, about how to embed AI into your pool's succession planning process (9 a.m.)
• Annual membership meeting and acknowledgement of pools achieving AGRiP Recognition (10 a.m.)
• Keynote presentation from Shawn Ellis, author and speaker, to close the conference with clear ways to turn ideas and inspiration into action (11 a.m.–12 p.m.)

Registration is now closed. Please contact Stacey for assistance.

On-site registration is not available.

Please review our conference policies for full details.

Registration Fees

• Members: $1,040 through Wednesday, Jan. 28 ($1,140 beginning Thursday, Jan. 29)
• Non-members: $1,525 through Wednesday, Jan. 28 ($1,625 beginning Thursday, Jan. 29)
• Pooling Basics: $325 (open to members only)
• Nashville Legends Spotlight Tour at Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry: $115 (open to members and their guests)

AGRiP offers conferences as a member service, not a revenue strategy. Our registration fees do not generate “profit” for the association and are reflective of the true event production costs. QEI Patrons provide substantial financial support to offset registration fees that would otherwise be required.

Guest Registration

• Welcome Reception: $155
• Guest Meal Package (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches): $465
• Nashville Legends Spotlight Tour at Ryman Auditorium and Opry House: $115

Guest registration is not allowed for business colleagues who are otherwise eligible to attend the conference. Guests are partners or traveling companions of registered attendees. Guests may not attend educational sessions.

Optional Programs  

Preregistration is required for optional programs. The only optional program open to guest attendees is the tour.

• Pooling Basics (Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) — This highly regarded training offers the strongest possible introduction and education for anyone newer to pooling. The conversation moves quickly to keep you engaged, with experienced faculty covering core pool operations like claims, underwriting, risk management, member services and finance. You’ll also learn how a governing body contributes to key activities and decisions, with time set aside to explore differences among pools. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer understanding and practical perspective that will support you in your role. Preregistration is required. Open to AGRiP members only.
• [SOLD OUT] Nashville Legends Spotlight Tour at Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry (Sunday, March 1, 12:15–5 p.m.) — Discover Music City with an afternoon highlighting the venues that shaped Nashville’s sound. Experience a group presentation and time to explore exhibits at the Ryman Auditorium, then continue to the iconic Grand Ole Opry for a behind-the-scenes tour of its celebrated stage. Connect with fellow attendees and enjoy the city’s hallmark Southern hospitality as you kick off your conference experience. Limited to 100 attendees.
  • Boarding the bus requires walking up five steps. Wheelchairs and folding scooters may be brought onboard.
  • Both the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry offer fully accessible tours.
  • Both venues conduct security screening upon entry, and all bags will be checked. There are no size restrictions for bags.