2026 Governance Conference

Governance Conference 2026

 

Governance Conference brings together pool governing body members and the staff who support them to learn, problem-solve and connect in a collaborative environment.

Registration is open now for pools. The primary contacts of our QEI Patrons will receive an email in early January with registration instructions.

Registration closes on Friday, Feb. 6.

Please contact us with any questions.

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Attendees will:

  • Build a network of trusted peers who understand the responsibilities of governing and supporting a pool
  • Bring forward questions unique to their pool and gain practical guidance
  • Hear real examples of how other pools tackle comparable challenges and identify ideas worth adapting for their pool
  • Explore concepts that shape their role within their pool and local public entity
  • Connect with service providers who support governance, operations and member service across the pooling community

Governance Conference features sessions spotlighting core governance concepts and the newest issues affecting pools. More information about the schedule will be available soon.

Who Should Attend

Governance Conference is appropriate for pool governing body members of any experience level and pool staff who support governance decisions through their functional work. Anyone involved in guiding pool decisions or supporting board work will benefit.

Governance Conference offers meaningful learning for those newer to pooling as well as experienced professionals addressing current and emerging issues.

Many pools use Governance Conference to schedule an informal dinner with people from other, similar pools. This is a great way to compare notes and build relationships. If you’d like help identifying another pool for this sort of gathering, let us know.

Schedule At-a-Glance

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

  • Managing multi-year strategic priorities
  • Solving legacy challenges with data integration and insight
  • Cost trends shaping employee benefit programs in 2026
  • Using AI to strengthen cybersecurity risk management
  • Measuring member satisfaction and engagement  
  • 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 

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

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

Wednesday, March 4

  • Presentation about top trends and influences impacting public entity risk pools today (9 a.m.)
  • Acknowledgement of pools achieving AGRiP Recognition (10 a.m.)
  • AGRiP's annual membership meeting and services update (10:30 a.m.)

Registration and Pricing

Early registration pricing ends on Wednesday, Jan 28. Registration closes on Friday, Feb. 6.

On-site registration options are limited. 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  

Pre-registration 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.
  • 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.

Cancellations 

Cancellations received on or before Monday, Feb. 9 will be subject to a $100 administrative fee. Because AGRiP pays venue and related event expenses based upon projected attendance, refunds will not be given for cancellations received after Monday, Feb. 9 or for no-shows. If you cancel a conference registration, please also cancel the hotel reservation. This can be done by contacting the hotel directly or using the link provided in the reservation confirmation email.

Hotel Information

Please do not make your hotel reservation until you register for Governance Conference. Attendees will receive an email with hotel details and booking instructions after completing registration. 

AGRiP has secured a block of sleeping rooms at Grand Hyatt Nashville. Room rates start at $349 per night, plus tax and fees. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the block closes on Feb. 6, 2026, or until all rooms in the block are sold out. 

Please contact us with questions about lodging. 

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