Oklahoma Insurance Sector Gathers for Annual Industry Conference

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has reported a strong turnout and positive reception for its third annual Oklahoma Insurance Day, a conference aimed at addressing emerging trends and regulatory challenges across the state’s insurance landscape. Held on 19 November at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, the event drew more than 200 registrants, including industry executives, regulators and business leaders from across Oklahoma.

The conference has quickly become a flagship date in the state’s insurance calendar, providing a platform for dialogue at a time when insurers and policymakers face increasing pressures linked to severe weather, affordability concerns and shifting consumer expectations. This year’s programme sought to confront these issues directly through a combination of expert-led sessions, policy briefings and collaborative discussion.

Commissioner Highlights Innovation in the Sector

Announcing the success of the event, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said the strong attendance reflected the industry’s continued appetite for innovation and reform. “This year’s Insurance Day was an incredible success,” he said. “I’m proud of how this event continues to highlight Oklahoma’s leadership in building a strong, innovative, and consumer-focused insurance marketplace.”

Expert Speakers Address Market Challenges

Across the day, participants heard from 16 speakers with backgrounds in research, policy development and commercial insurance operations. Among the key contributors was Jeff Czajkowski, a PhD researcher and Director for the Center for Insurance Policy and Research. He delivered a detailed presentation exploring the state of affordability and accessibility within the Oklahoma insurance market, a topic that has increasingly come under scrutiny amid rising premiums and intensifying climate-driven risks.

Czajkowski’s analysis of severe weather trends and their impact on homeowners’ insurance formed a central pillar of the programme, resonating strongly with attendees from both the regulatory and private-sector communities. His data-driven approach sought to illuminate the growing pressures on insurers operating in regions vulnerable to hailstorms, tornadoes and other extreme weather events — a challenge that has become a defining issue for the sector in the American Midwest.

Regulators from Other States Share Insight

Adding a broader inter-state perspective, Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance Director Angie Nelson and New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt shared their own assessments of national market trends. Their contributions focused on innovation within the regulatory landscape, cross-border challenges, and the importance of agile policy frameworks capable of supporting both consumer protection and economic competitiveness.

Keynote Address Highlights Leadership and Strategy

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Jessica Rimmer, CEO of Solomon Strategic Advisors and author of The Purpose Formula. Her presentation provided an overarching perspective on organisational purpose, leadership and the evolving role of strategic planning within the insurance industry. Rimmer’s inclusion underscored the conference’s intention to broaden discussion beyond regulatory matters, highlighting the link between leadership culture and long-term market resilience.

OID Provides Departmental Updates

As the event drew to a close, OID provided a comprehensive update on several of its internal divisions, including Financial Regulation, Producer Licensing, the Medicare Assistance Program and the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes initiative. These updates served to brief attendees on recent regulatory developments, programme performance and departmental priorities heading into the coming year.

The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes initiative, in particular, has gained increased attention due to its role in promoting storm-resistant construction standards — a topic closely aligned with the earlier discussions on severe weather-related risks. By offering insight into the scheme’s operations, OID aimed to highlight ongoing efforts to mitigate risk at the community level and reduce long-term insurance pressures.

Industry Collaboration Remains Central Theme

Throughout the day, the emphasis was on fostering collaboration between regulators and industry, ensuring that data-driven insights translate into meaningful policy development and market solutions. For many attendees, the conference provided not only a forum for learning but an opportunity to network and exchange ideas with counterparts across the region.

Acknowledgement of Sponsors and Participants

In a closing acknowledgement, OID expressed appreciation for the individuals and organisations that contributed to the conference’s success. The department highlighted the role of speakers, participants and its event sponsor, the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (Big I Oklahoma), in supporting the annual gathering. “OID is grateful to the participants, speakers, and sponsor, the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (Big I Oklahoma), who contributed to the success of Oklahoma Insurance Day,” the agency noted.

With strong attendance and a programme shaped around the sector’s most pressing challenges, this year’s Insurance Day reinforces Oklahoma’s position as a proactive player in navigating the evolving insurance landscape. The continued growth of the event suggests that it will remain an influential forum for the state’s insurance community in the years ahead.