Marcia Merando, LLIF, FLMI, LUTCF, director of marketing at Frankenmuth Insurance and the 2018 chair of the FICP Board of Directors, welcomed attendees to the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes for the FICP Annual Conference.

Damien Horne, a member of the trio The Farm, performed memorable renditions of the U.S. and Canadian national anthems at the FICP Annual Conference kickoff.

Professional speaker Mel Robbins shared her simple but intriguing strategy for getting and staying motivated on the opening day, and her 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown technique bubbled up in conversations throughout the conference.

Pillar wraps carried the FICP’s theming and energy through the conference space.

FICP scheduled some of its educational sessions in its Experience Zone, where the nontraditional set up was laid back and interactive, including this presentation by wellness expert Neen James. Other parts of the Experience Zone included everything from a tech bar, to drone flying, to an FICP volunteer recruitment desk.

The animated and inspiring Derreck Kayongo spoke to FICP about his journey from being a Ugandan refugee to becoming CEO of the Global Soap Project.

Well over 700 people participated in the game-show style CSR event that included red-wagon building and decorating, trivia contents, and this balloon game, among the team activities.

To celebrate the announcement that FICP’s Annual Conference will convene at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in 2021, attendees got a taste of the Arizona culture. Before that, however, FICP’s premier event will be held November 10–13, 2019, at the Fairmont Austin Hotel, Austin, Texas, and November 15–18, 2020, at the Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.

The passionate and funny Kevin Brown was a hit in the FICP Speaker Showcase.

Kim Lear, founder and content director, Inlay Insights, discussed her research into generational behaviors that affect how organizations engage employees and consumers, during the FICP Speaker Showcase.

FICP took over a section of Universal Orlando that included Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Passing Zone’s heart-stopping and hilarious juggling act recruited Dave Muir, director, distribution event services at Sun Life Financial, to help out.

Also joining in The Passing Zone’s antics, Mike Lifson, CMP, CMM, senior meeting planner, Liberty Mutual, gets ready to take one for the team.

Wayne Robinson, CMP, CMM, assistant vice president, FM Global, is the incoming chair of the FICP Board of Directors.