Staff Institute 2026

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Staff Institute 2026

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Staff Institute is a reimagined AGRiP conference for pooling professionals across all roles. It combines elements of our former Staff Forum and CEO and Senior Staff Institute into one event where attendees build practical skills, share real-world solutions and address today’s challenges.

Registration is now open for pools. QEI Patron primary contacts will receive registration instructions via email in early July.

 

Register for one of two learning options. You will stay with your selected option for the entire conference. 

The Residency Experience is for pool executives and senior staff. Over 2.5 days, learn how to apply a reductive mindset to real operational issues and build habits that protect your team’s time, energy and capacity. AGRiP Resident Juliet Funt facilitates the program. Space is limited, and senior staff should confirm their pool executive supports their attendance.

 

Open Sessions provide a more traditional conference experience for pooling professionals with interactive learning, exposure to emerging issues and opportunities to exchange ideas with peers. Attendees move between concurrent sessions and roundtable discussions that cover a range of pooling topics, selecting those most relevant to their goals and interests.

 

Registration closes on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Contact us with questions.

 

What You’ll Gain

  • Practical skills, ideas and strategies you can apply right away
  • Insight into how other pools are addressing current challenges
  • A better understanding of emerging issues and evolving member needs
  • Meaningful connections from across the pooling community
  • As part of the Residency Experience, you can also expect:
    • Dedicated time to reduce lower-value work, work through delayed or difficult decisions, and create habits that support greater clarity and focus
    • Facilitated discussion with fellow pool leaders facing similar operational and leadership demands
    • New approaches for reducing unnecessary work and improving team effectiveness
    • Direct, pool-specific guidance, advice and input from AGRiP Resident Juliet Funt

Choose Your Learning Option

Residency Experience

Pool executives and senior staff will have dedicated time to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on priorities, alignment, and how their organization works and moves forward.

Facilitated by AGRiP Resident Juliet Funt, this 2.5-day small-group program helps leaders reduce busy work, create more time and capacity for strategic priorities, and focus intentionally on work that has the greatest impact on members. This program starts at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4.

→ Register for the Residency Experience

Open Sessions

Pooling professionals across all roles will participate in concurrent sessions and roundtable discussions about emerging issues, operational priorities and evolving member needs.

Attendees will explore current trends and challenges, exchange ideas with peers and gain fresh perspectives. We recommend attendees have at least three years of industry experience or have completed our Pooling Basics curriculum.

→ Register for Open Sessions

Note: This conference is not intended for pool governing body members. 

Schedule Overview

The Residency Experience starts Sunday, Oct. 4, at 12 p.m. CT. Attendees should make arrangements to be on-site and ready to begin by then. You will remain in the Residency Experience for the entire conference and will not be able to attend content in Open Sessions.

Open Sessions start Monday morning, Oct. 5. Planned sessions cover a range of topics such as:

  • Redesigning your pool’s website to create a better member experience
  • How to provide claims data to help pool members better manage risk  
  • Rethinking women's health in the workplace
  • Recruiting and retaining the next generation of pooling professionals
  • How to prepare your pool for AI-related workforce changes
  • Writing AI coverage for your members
  • Effective interim financial reporting
  • How to prepare for emerging risks with strategic foresight
  • Ethical decision-making in any (and every) circumstance
  • Why systems thinking is critical in your pool role
  • And many more

People from AGRiP member pools participating in Open Sessions can also participate in $ource Game, an interactive pool simulation that runs in short increments throughout the conference. Preregistration is required, but there's no additional fee to participate.

  • Working in teams, make operational and financial decisions for a fictitious pool.
  • Explore how your choices influence performance, strategy and long-term stability.
  • Get real-time feedback and performance measures to understand how your decisions influence pool outcomes.
  • Better understand pool operations and the impact of business decisions.
  • Meet and connect with peers in a fun learning exercise. 

Sunday, Oct. 4

  • Residency Experience starts at 12 p.m. (lunch provided)
  • $ource Game kickoff from 3–3:45 p.m.
  • AGRiP Orientation from 4–4:45 p.m.
  • Welcome reception inspired by Prince from 5–7 p.m. at Orchestra Hall

Monday, Oct. 5

  • Keynote for all attendees with AGRiP Resident Juliet Funt at 9 a.m.
  • Residency Experience and Open Sessions start at 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 6

  • Residency Experience and Open Sessions start at 9 a.m.
  • Closing night event at Target Field from 5–8:30 p.m.

Registration and Pricing

Early registration pricing ends on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Registration closes at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 11. 

Please review our conference policies for full details.

Registration Fees

Members

  • Open Sessions: $995 through Aug. 25 ($1,095 beginning Aug. 26)
  • Residency Experience: $1,295 through Aug. 25 ($1,395 beginning Aug. 26)
  • Closing night event at Target Field for members and their guests: $125

Non-Members

  • Open Sessions: $1,525 through Aug. 25 ($1,625 beginning Aug. 26)
  • Residency Experience: $1,725 through Aug. 25 ($1,825 beginning Aug. 26)
  • Closing night event at Target Field for non-members and their guests: $160

AGRiP offers conferences as a member service, not a revenue strategy. Our registration fees reflect true costs of producing the event. QEI Patrons provide substantial financial support to offset registration fees.

Guest Registration

  • Welcome reception: $150
  • Guest meal package (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches): $285
  • Closing night event at Target Field: $125 for guests of members, $160 for guests of non-members

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

Optional Programs  

Optional programs offer additional opportunities to connect with peers and enhance your Staff Institute experience.

Preregistration is required for optional programs.

  • $ource Game (5 short time blocks starting Sunday, Oct. 4, 3–3:45 p.m. and concluding Tuesday, Oct. 6, 12:45 p.m.) — Test your pool decision-making skills in an interactive simulation where you’ll make real-time operational decisions across underwriting, finance, marketing and more while connecting with peers and gaining high-level insight into pool operations. Available to Open Sessions member pool attendees only.
  • AGRiP Orientation (Sunday, October 4, 3–4 p.m.) — Join us Sunday afternoon for a brief orientation to AGRiP’s scope, services and environment. You’ll also hear tips to engage effectively at the conference. Available to Open Sessions attendees only.
  • Closing Night Event at Target Field (Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5–8 p.m.) — Spend the evening at the home of the Twins with a private event for attendees. Enjoy a buffet dinner, take an exclusive ballpark tour and capture a few photo ops along the way. Connect and unwind while experiencing one of Minneapolis’ most iconic sporting venues. No baseball game is scheduled as part of this event. All attendees and their guests are welcome.

Cancellations 

Cancellations received on or before Monday, Sept. 14 are 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, Sept. 14 or for no-shows.

If you cancel your conference registration, please also cancel your hotel reservation. This can be done by contacting the hotel directly or using the link provided in the reservation confirmation email.

Hotel Information

Do not make your hotel reservation until you register for Staff Institute. Attendees will receive an email with hotel details and booking instructions after completing registration.

AGRiP has secured a block of sleeping rooms in the conference hotel. Room rates start at $249 per night, plus tax and fees. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the block closes on Sept. 11, 2026, or until all rooms in the block are sold out.

Contact us with questions about lodging.

FAQs

Attendees

Who should attend Staff Institute?
Staff Institute is for pooling professionals across all roles. We recommend attendees have at least three years of pooling industry experience and/or have completed our Pooling Basics curriculum.

The Residency Experience is limited to pool executives and senior staff. Senior staff interested in attending should confirm their pool executive supports their participation.

Can pool governing body members attend Staff Institute?
Staff Institute content is designed for operational roles. It is not intended for pool governing body members.

Can QEI Patrons attend the Residency Experience?
No. The Residency Experience is for pool executives and senior staff. QEI Patrons are invited to participate in Open Sessions and optional conference events.

 

Learning Options

What are Open Sessions?
Open Sessions are similar to our traditional Staff Forum and include concurrent sessions and roundtable discussions focused on emerging issues, operational priorities and evolving member needs. The format emphasizes peer exchange and practical application of pool-specific information.

Who are Open Sessions best suited for?
Open Sessions are for pooling professionals in all roles. We recommend attendees have at least three years of industry experience and/or completion of our Pooling Basics curriculum.

What is the Residency Experience?
Similar to our traditional CEO and Senior Staff Institute, the Residency Experience is a 2.5-day immersive program for pool executives and senior staff. Facilitated by AGRiP Resident Juliet Funt, participants apply a reductive mindset to real operational issues and build habits that protect their team’s time, energy and capacity.

Can I change my learning option after registering?
You will need to cancel your registration and re-register, based on availability before the registration period closes on Sept. 11. Please note that the Residency Experience is limited to pool executives and senior staff.

Can I switch between Open Sessions and the Residency Experience during the conference?
No. Open Sessions and the Residency Experience are separate, full-conference learning options. You’ll participate in your selected option the entire conference.

When does the Residency Experience begin?
The Residency Experience begins at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4. Lunch will be provided. Participants should plan to arrive in Minneapolis no later than 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday.

Can non-members attend the Residency Experience?
Yes. If you’re an executive or senior staff of a pool that is not an AGRiP member, contact us directly to register.

I’m a QEI Patron. Can I register for the Residency Experience?
No. The Residency Experience is for pool executives and senior staff only. QEI Patrons can participate in Open Sessions and optional programs such as AGRiP Orientation and $ource Game.

If I’m a pool executive or senior staff, is it okay to register for Open Sessions? 
Yes. Choose the learning option best suited for your needs.

The Residency Experience looks like great learning opportunity, but I’m not the executive at my pool. Can I still attend?
The Residency Experience is intended for people in key roles of influence within their pool. Every pool structure and staffing is a bit different, so talk with your pool executive about whether it's appropriate for you to attend.

Is space limited for the Residency Experience?
Yes. Participation is limited to 130 attendees.
 

Hotel and Travel Plans

When should I arrive?
Residency Experience participants should arrive on-site and be ready to begin at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4. Open Sessions attendees should also plan to arrive on Sunday, Oct. 4, to take part in AGRiP Orientation (4–4:45 p.m.) and the welcome reception (5–7 p.m.). All attendees should plan to stay through the closing event on Tuesday evening (5–8:30 p.m.).

Where should I stay?
AGRiP has secured a room block at the conference hotel. You’ll receive booking details via email after you register.

Do I need to register for the conference before booking a hotel room?
Yes. You must register for the conference before booking within the AGRiP room block.
 

Value and Networking

What will I gain from attending Staff Institute?
You'll gain practical ideas you can apply in your role, a fresh perspective on the issues shaping pools today and insight into how peers are responding to similar challenges.

Will there be opportunities to connect with attendees registered for the other learning option?
Yes. The conference includes many opportunities to connect during meals, breaks and optional programs, including our Prince-inspired welcome reception and closing night event at Target Field. There are also a few common sessions in the two learning pathways.

 

Optional Programs

What will I learn in AGRiP Orientation?
You’ll get an overview of AGRiP’s programs, services and structure, plus tips for navigating Staff Institute and connecting with peers throughout the conference.

Can I attend AGRiP Orientation if I registered for the Residency Experience?
No. Orientation is only available to Open Sessions participants.

What is $ource Game?
$ource Game is an optional, hands-on pool simulation available to pool members participating in Open Sessions. Attendees work in teams to make operational and financial decisions in a simulated pool environment while applying concepts related to pool management and operations. Learn more.

When does $ource Game take place?
$ource Game begins Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. with an introduction seminar. The game continues with short working sessions scheduled on Monday and Tuesday to review results and make team decisions. You’ll still be able to participate in all conference sessions. View the schedule.

Can I participate in $ource Game if I attend the Residency Experience?
No. $ource Game is only available to Open Sessions participants.

Do I need a minimum number of years of pooling experience to participate in $ource Game?
No. Participants with a range of pooling backgrounds and experience levels can participate.

Is there an additional cost to participate in $ource Game?
No. $ource Game is included with Open Sessions registration, but preregistration is required, and participation is limited.

When and where is the welcome reception?
Our welcome reception is Sunday, Oct. 4 from 5–7 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis.

Why is the welcome reception inspired by Prince?
Prince remains one of Minneapolis’ most iconic cultural figures. As we gather in his hometown, our welcome reception will celebrate the Purple One’s lasting influence on the city’s music, identity and creative spirit.

Is a Twins game included with the closing night event on Tuesday, Oct. 6?
No. The event does not include a baseball game. Attendees will enjoy a private evening at Target Field featuring a buffet dinner, exclusive ballpark tour and time to connect with peers.

Can I bring a guest to the closing night event?
Yes. Attendees are welcome to bring a guest to the closing night event at Target Field. Preregistration is required for all attendees and guests. See Registration and Pricing for details.

Should I plan to stay Tuesday night?
Yes. We encourage attendees to stay through the closing night event at Target Field and depart Wednesday morning when possible.

 

QEI Patrons

Can QEI Patrons attend Staff Institute?
Yes. QEI Patrons are invited to attend Open Sessions and optional conference events. We don’t have exhibit halls because we want you fully engaged with pools in learning and sharing.

Can QEI Patrons participate in the Residency Experience?
No. The Residency Experience is limited to pool executives and senior staff.

Can QEI Patrons participate in $ource Game?
No. $ource Game is for member pools only.

 

Explore More

Past Conference Presentations

Registration Policies