71st Annual Employee Benefits Conference

Two-day program
Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 8:00a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC53 

Securing a healthy and successful retirement requires a holistic approach that goes beyond just having enough money. This workshop will explore tools and resources to design the “life” side of your next chapter and to boost and protect your retirement income. Attendees of all ages are encouraged to attend.

$1,080 through September 13, 2026 and $1,300 after September 13, 2026 for members.

One day workshop

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, October 25, 2026 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. 
Registration code: PC01
Registration code: PC02

By fostering a culture of mental wellbeing and compassion, MHFA at Work Certification makes your organization a healthier place to work. You will come away with a better understanding of how to care for your wellbeing at work as well as a MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to apply to noncrisis and crisis scenarios. During this 4-hour Instructor-led course, you will practice the skills needed to recognize and respond to a coworker who may be experiencing a noncrisis or crisis mental health or substance use challenge—and connect them with the appropriate resources in accordance with company policies. Attendees will receive a certification in MHFA at Work after you complete the instructor-led portion of the training, post-work and post-evaluation.

Learning objective include:

1. Describe the purpose of Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
2. Explain the five steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE).
3. Determine the actions that a Mental Health First Aider should take for noncrisis situations in the workplace.
4. Discover the actions that a Mental Health First Aider should take for potential crisis and immediate crisis situations in the workplace.
5. Practice the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in noncrisis and crisis scenarios in which a coworker is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

Register early—Seating is limited to 30 attendees per day.

Saturday, October 24, 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC03

Fraud can happen at any time, in any place. You are responsible for having the tools necessary to prevent cyberattacks, data breaches and claims fraud. Join this one-day preconference to learn how to spot social engineering fraud, learn about tools and tests to be implemented to avoid fraud, review and implement the right insurance coverage, and more!

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. 
Registration code: PC04

In recent years, the notion of Taft-Hartley plan mergers has gained momentum. Plan trustees, advisors and professionals are weighing the pros and cons of plan mergers to determine the best path forward. This interactive, four-hour session will include scenario planning exercises, and will answer key questions, including:

• What are some of the most commonly faced issues in administrative, implementation and compliance practices? What other pitfalls should be avoided?
• What governance practices must be established before exploration?
• What are the best practices in implementation? 

One-day program
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC05

Through this workshop, you'll be introduced to the Wellness Alliance’s 7 Benchmarks, a foundation for building and sustaining a results-oriented workplace wellness strategy. By using this information in your organization, you can provide a credible framework that can be tailored toward organization-specific values, mission, vision and goals for wellness. Organizations that are dedicated to the health of their workers are given a structure to help their organizations through the Well Workplace process.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC06

Something has changed out there! You feel it wherever you go. Every business is short-staffed. People are less patient. Having a mediocre customer services experience is the best you can hope for. Is it really true that nobody wants to work or go into the office? We are clearly dealing with a different world as it relates to work—our own work and the work of others who we rely on. This workshop will examine the changing workforce and help you understand how to evaluate and implement positive change in your own work environment. Topics include:

• Demographics of today’s workforce
• Changing norms, expectations and desires
• Creating positive culture in the office and on the job site
• Building a strategy for change.

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC07

Plan trustees, professionals, administrators and staff are often involved in plan litigation with little to no experience in these legal settings. This can stem from a variety of issues from collections, contract issues, plan design disputes, and so on. Join this workshop to better understand how to prevent litigation when you can and prepare for it when it happens.

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Registration code: PC09

Building and maintaining a positive board culture takes intention and effort. This process can be more challenging when faced with board turnover, especially if it is unexpected.  In this workshop, you will learn a step-by-step approach to succession planning, including how to find new trustees and plan for administrator changes. You will learn:

• How to amend trust agreements and/or collective agreements to support succession planning for trustees and administrators
• How to address bias and culture on existing boards
• How to onboard new trustees and administrators.

Sunday, October 25, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Join us for four hours of continuing legal education credits in Ethics of Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias training for benefit attorneys. This critical education will cover representation matters, contracts and relationships, disclosures and DEI litigation. Be sure to include your CLE request on the registration form with your state and BAR license number.