Go Big 2026 Delivered… And Then Some
By Nicholas Johnson | Director of Technology | Big I New York
I’ll be honest. Heading into my first Go Big event, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard the buzz, seen the energy people brought back from previous years, and knew the reputation. But actually being there at Turning Stone Resort Casino on May 4 and 5? You can’t really prepare for it.
Go Big 2026 didn’t just meet the hype. It surpassed it.
Day One: Setting the Tone
Things kicked off with intention from the very first session. The NextGen Statewide Meetup opened the event, and right away you could feel the energy in the room. This was not a group sitting back and listening. People were engaging, connecting, and leaning into the conversation from the start. It set the tone for what the next two days would become.
Agency Compensation 360 with Lisa Lounsbury was packed with practical insight. As President and CEO of Big I New York and co-founder of Catalyit, Lisa has a way of framing industry data so it actually feels useful at the agency level. It was not abstract or overly theoretical. It was real conversations, real numbers, and real strategies that people could take back and apply.
Running at the same time, Sue Keegan led the True Crime CE: Schoharie Limousine Accident session. If you are familiar with her True Crime CE series, you already know it stands out. She took a real, high-profile tragedy and broke down the coverage complexities, claims investigation, and risk management lessons behind it. It was gripping while still being genuinely educational, which is not an easy balance to strike.
One of the things that stood out to me about Go Big is how many different ways there are to learn and connect, and none of them feel forced. The Rapid Fire Tech Demo Lounge was a perfect example. Top exhibitors, voted in by attendees, were given a short window to show what their technology could actually do. No long pitches. No fluff. Just clear, fast demonstrations of tools that can make a real difference in how agencies operate.
As Director of Technology for Big I New York, I had a front-row seat to one of the sessions I was most excited about. I had the opportunity to host the AI Prompt Lab alongside Dale Steinke, Director with Agent for the Future Advisors at Liberty Mutual, and the room was packed.
What made Dale’s session stand out was how hands-on it was. This was not a passive discussion about AI. People had their devices out, working through real prompts, testing ideas, and building things they could actually use. Whether it was marketing, client communication, or internal workflows, attendees walked out with something tangible.
The momentum around AI in that room was undeniable. This is no longer a “maybe someday” conversation. Agencies are ready to move, and Go Big gave them a real place to start.
Ashley Engl of Walsh Insurance led Speed Mentoring, bringing together young agents, experienced professionals, carriers, and solution providers for a fast-paced exchange of ideas. It did not feel like traditional professional development, which is exactly why it worked. It was natural, engaging, and full of perspective you do not always get in structured sessions.
The Annual Business Meeting and Purple Duck Ceremony was a defining moment of the day. This is where the association comes together to conduct business, recognize leadership, and celebrate achievements. Seeing David Borg step in as the new Chair of the Board, recognizing award winners like Travis Wattie and Christine Neet, and honoring outgoing Chair Kelly Gonyo brought a strong sense of pride and purpose to the room, with just the right amount of fun mixed in.
Go Big After Hours at The Gig was something else entirely. A packed room, great energy, and a makeshift band that somehow turned into a full live music experience. A group of attendees and colleagues, including Big I NY’s own Travis Wattie, helped turn the reception into something memorable. It was the perfect way to close out day one and a reminder that this industry knows how to have a good time.
Day Two: Bagels, Booths, and Big Ideas
Eric M. Bailey opened day two with his keynote, The Cure for Stupidity: Seeing Customers and Coworkers in a Different Light. I saw Eric speak last year, and I would watch him again without hesitation. He has a rare ability to make you laugh while completely shifting how you think about communication. He broke down decades of brain science into simple, practical takeaways that help you handle difficult or frustrating interactions more effectively. Phenomenal.
Gen Z in the Workplace with Eric Kuhen, Vice President at MarshBerry, focused on a challenge every agency is facing. How do you connect across generations? How do you communicate better? How do you build teams that actually work well together? It sparked real reflection and likely continued conversations well beyond the session.
Networking in the Industry Marketplace was one of the most valuable parts of the event. It never felt transactional. It felt like genuine conversations between people trying to solve problems, share ideas, and find better ways to operate.
The luncheon program with new Chair David Borg gave everyone a chance to pause, reset, and focus on what lies ahead. It was a strong moment that tied together leadership, direction, and community.
Marques Ogden closed out the keynote programming with a powerful message. A former NFL player who rebuilt his life after significant personal and financial challenges, he shared his BISON Mindset. He talked about how bison face storms head-on instead of running from them, and used that idea to frame resilience and what he calls “failing forward.” It landed at exactly the right time and left people thinking.
The final awards and celebration brought everything to a close on a high note, recognizing individuals who are making a real impact across the industry.
What Stood Out Most
There was a lot to take in. Great sessions, strong speakers, and more conversations than I can count.
But what stood out most to me was the team behind it all.
These are people who are constantly moving, stepping in wherever they are needed, and making everything look seamless for hundreds of attendees across two full days. Sessions, networking blocks, the awards ceremony, the after party, the exhibitor hall. All of it ran smoothly because of a team that never stopped.
None of this would have been nearly as successful without the incredible planning and execution from Allison Just and Julie Furst. They set the tone, kept everything moving, and made sure every detail came together. Watching that unfold behind the scenes was honestly one of the highlights of the entire experience for me. I am proud to be a small part of this team.
I also left with a real appreciation for the people in this industry. The willingness to share ideas, have honest conversations, and help each other improve is something you do not see everywhere.
For me, this was more than just my first Go Big. It was a reminder of why events like this matter. If you were not there this year, put it on your calendar now. And if you were there, you already know exactly what I mean.
Already looking forward to next year.
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