Agenda
Join Medicare Marketing Leaders to Navigate Change, Strengthen Alignment, and Drive Growth
Wednesday - February 25, 2026
11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration Opens
12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Women’s Leadership Lunch N Learn: Panel - Thriving During Times of Change
In a market that never stops shifting, true leadership is defined by how we show up in uncertain times. This conversation explores how women in Medicare Advantage marketing and sales lead with steadiness, adaptability, and heart when the ground is moving beneath them. Leave with strategies for staying grounded, confident, and forward-focused no matter what changes come next.
- 12:00PM – 12:30PM Lunch and Networking
- 12:30PM – 1:15PM Panel Discussion
- 1:15PM – 1:30PM Q&A and Wrap Up
Moderator, Speaker
Peggy Sullivan
Productivity Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Creator of the Busy Busting Framework
Speaker
Martina Lee Strickland
Head of Marketing, PR and Brand at Clever Care Health Plan
Speaker
Gliknis Ortiz
VP, Medicare Sales at Essence Healthcare
Speaker
Cristi Vredenburg
VP of Enrollment, Product, & Marketing at ATRIO Health Plans
1:30 PM
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Workshop A: Communicating With Impact: A Practical Workshop for People Managers
Limited to 20 attendees - register today!
Managers are judged not just by their decisions, but by how they communicate them. This interactive workshop helps people leaders speak with clarity, confidence, and credibility—whether they’re addressing their teams or presenting to senior leadership. Participants will learn how to cut through over-explaining, deliver messages with authority without losing approachability, and handle questions and pressure with composure. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks they can immediately apply in meetings, presentations, and executive updates.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Communicate decisions and updates with clarity and confidence—without over-explaining
- Deliver difficult messages to teams while maintaining trust and approachability
- Structure concise, compelling updates for senior leaders that focus on insight, not data dumps
- Respond to questions, challenges, and pushback calmly and credibly
- Adapt tone, detail, and messaging based on audience and context
Speaker
Naimah Ward
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Workshop B: The DSNP Growth Playbook – Where Mission Meets Market
The Dual Eligible (DSNP) and special populations market remains one of the most promising yet most complex growth opportunities in Medicare Advantage. As plans face tighter margins, heightened competition, and shifting regulations, success depends on reaching and retaining members with unique needs and barriers to engagement. For sales and marketing teams, this means rethinking traditional acquisition models, deepening community partnerships, and crafting authentic, compliant messaging that resonates.
Designed for on the ground sales and marketing professionals, this workshop focuses on unlocking growth among dual-eligibles, LIS-eligible members, and those with chronic conditions and turning mission-driven strategies into measurable results.
1:30 – 2:15PM
Part I: Sales Deep Dive — Winning in the DSNP and Special Populations Market
- Get a better understanding of the market opportunity and growth dynamics across DSNP, LIS, and chronic condition segments
- Get field-tested, high-impact approaches to reach, engage, and enroll Duals, LIS, and chronic condition members
- Discuss navigating state-level nuances and local competition
2:15PM – 3:00PM
Part II: Marketing That Resonates — Connecting Authentically with Special Populations
- How to design and deploy marketing strategies that drive awareness, trust, and enrollment — while remaining compliant and culturally relevant
- Develop audience segmentation strategies tailored to special populations
- Choose channel mixes that effectively reach Duals and LIS members.
3:20PM – 4:05PM
Part III Strategy in Action — Aligning Sales & Marketing for Growth
- Integrate marketing touchpoints with the sales and onboarding process for sustained engagement
- Get tips on breaking down silos between sales and marketing to drive coordinated activation and measurable results
- Evaluate DSNP and LIS strategies using data-driven performance metrics
4:05PM – 4:30PM
Part IV: Q&A and Group Discussion on Implementation
Speaker
Melissa Bazzo
Director, Medicare at Peak Health
Speaker
Ron Sotak
Director, Internal Sales at CareSource
4:30 PM
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Opening Networking Reception: Back to the ‘80s Bash
Sponsored by:
Break out the sequins, leg warmers, and neon colors – it’s time to rewind the clock and kick off the conference in true ’80s Vegas style, courtesy of Freshpaint! Enjoy themed bites, cocktails, and great company as you mix and mingle with fellow attendees for an unforgettable throwback night. Retro attire encouraged: think big hair, bold colors, and plenty of sparkle. After all, what happens in the ’80s… stays in the ’80s.
Thursday - February 26, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Information Desk Opens
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Welcome Remarks
9:10 AM
9:10 AM – 10:00 AM
Regulatory Update: Rules, Risks and Readiness for 2026 and Beyond
In a year defined by new CMS marketing rules, evolving broker oversight, and heightened scrutiny around member communications, compliance is no longer just a box to check — it’s a brand imperative. This session breaks down what’s new, what’s next, and what it means for your day-to-day work in sales, marketing, and member engagement.
Speaker
Neil Patil
Senior Fellow and the Policy Director, Medicare Policy Initiative at Georgetown's Center on Health Insurance Reform (CHIR)
10:00 AM
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
The Longevity Revolution: Rethinking Aging, Health, and Growth in Medicare Advantage
In this bold keynote, geroscientist Dr. S. Jay Olshansky challenges a central assumption of modern medicine: that longer life automatically means better health. He explores how today’s care model has unintentionally expanded frailty, disability, and dementia—and how the emerging science of geroscience could slow biological aging while fundamentally reshaping the Medicare Advantage population.
As longevity increases, today’s “young-old” consumers are redefining health, independence, and value—forcing Medicare marketers and sales leaders to rethink how they engage, build trust, and position their plans. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of aging as a modifiable risk factor, why longevity gains will not be equitably distributed, and how demographic shifts create both risk and opportunity for growth.
Attendees will:
- Understand the mindset and motivations of today’s longevity-driven Medicare consumer
- Align sales and engagement strategies with evolving definitions of health, independence, and value
- Position your organization and messaging for success as lifespan continues to outpace healthspan
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Speaker
S. Jay Olshansky, Ph.D.
Emeritus professor of Public Health at University of Illinois at Chicago
10:50 AM
10:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Beyond the Survey: Real Stories from Real Members
Join RISE for a candid sit down with members themselves, with insights into what drives satisfaction, what creates frustration and what truly builds trust and loyalty with their MA plans.
- Get a deeper understanding of what members prioritize when selecting and staying with a plan
- Spark ideas for improving touchpoints across the member journey, from enrollment to renewal
- Walk away with actionable ways to turn authentic member feedback into more human-centered marketing and service strategies
Moderator
Roderick Kersch
Vice President Health Plan Sales at WEX Benefits
Speaker
Karen Edwards
Patient Advocate
Speaker
Connie Montgomery
Patient Advocate
Speaker
Doris Maldonado Méndez
Patient Advocate
12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Extended Networking Lunch & Roundtable Discussions
1:30 PM
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Track A
Session Presented by Freshpaint
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Session Presented by RRD
1:30 PM
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Track C
Rebuilding Agent Loyalty as Distribution Evolves: What Really Matters When Commission Is Not Enough
- Reassess the role of agents within a modern Medicare Advantage distribution mix by understanding where they continue to deliver the highest-quality, most reliable growth compared to emerging digital and DTC channels
- Identify the non-commission drivers of agent loyalty using insights from agent research and real-world plan experiences
- Apply a practical agent support framework to modernize engagement models, balance cost pressures, and strengthen long-term agent trust and performance within a broader distribution strategy
Speaker
Pritpal Virdee
Executive Advisor at ZS Associates
2:15 PM
2:15 PM – 2:20 PM
5-minute transition
2:20 PM
2:20 PM – 2:35 PM
Track A
Tools and Technology Spotlight
Speaker
Chris Shiffert
Chief Growth Officer at BroadPath, a Sagility Company
2:20 PM – 2:35 PM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Tools and Technology Spotlight
Speaker
Scott Hopkins
Chief Growth Officer at Anderson
2:35 PM
2:35 PM – 2:40 PM
5-minute transition
2:40 PM
2:40 PM – 3:25 PM
Track A
Designing Portals Around How Agents Really Work
As Medicare sales and marketing teams work to drive growth, agent experience directly impacts enrollment speed, accuracy, and conversion. Fragmented systems create friction that affects compliance and the member experience. This case study shows how an agent-first enrollment approach improves sales effectiveness and enables scalable growth.
- Identify common friction points in Medicare agent enrollment workflows
- Explore how unified systems reduce errors, rework, and administrative burden
- Apply human-centered design principles to improve agent adoption and outcomes
Speaker
Ryan Bradley
Director of Software Development at Cummings Creative Group (CCG)
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Speaker
Jason Tolbert
Director of Medicare Sales and Operations at Viva Health
2:40 PM – 3:25 PM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Session Presented by Wex Benefits
Speaker
Roderick Kersch
Vice President Health Plan Sales at WEX Benefits
3:25 PM
3:25 PM – 3:50 PM
Break
3:50 PM
3:50 PM – 4:35 PM
Track A
Panel - Leading Through Change: Building a Resilient, High-Performance Medicare Sales Team
- Navigate organizational and market shifts with strategies that keep sales teams focused during periods of volatility
- Strengthen trust and alignment by communicating evolving goals, metrics, and compliance expectations clearly and consistently
- Rebuild motivation and accountability across underperforming or disengaged teams through data-driven performance management
- Foster long-term resilience by developing adaptable team structures, consistent coaching, and transparent performance standards
Moderator
Todd Rau
Former Director, Sales and Product at IU Health Plans
Speaker
Francisco Milena Valle
Director MarketPoint Gulf South at Humana
Speaker
Jotham Cortez
Sales Director at Devoted
Speaker
Melissa Bazzo
Director, Medicare at Peak Health
3:50 PM – 4:35 PM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
From SEO to AEO: Winning Visibility in an AI-Driven Medicare Shopping Journey
- Understand how AI engines already describe your MA plan and what signals (CMS data, reviews, news, your own content) influence whether your plan shows up accurately when beneficiaries ask questions like “What’s the best plan for my needs?”
- Learn how to structure content for AI discoverability using clear benefit explanations, condition-specific pages, FAQs, and trust-building signals that generative AI tools rely on when forming a single “best answer.”
- Identify and fix AI-generated inaccuracies with a step-by-step approach to auditing your digital footprint, correcting outdated descriptions, and ensuring compliance-friendly accuracy across AI platforms
- Future-proof your marketing, sales, and broker strategy by preparing your organization for a search world where AI, not Google, guides plan choice, influencing enrollment conversations, reputation, and member expectations
Speaker
Craig Blake
Agency Growth at Amsive Health
Speaker
Bambi Frazier
Senior Product Lead at Amsive
4:35 PM
4:35 PM – 4:40 PM
5-minute transition to Networking Reception
4:40 PM
4:40 PM – 6:00 PM
Networking Cocktail Reception
Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.
Friday - February 27, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 1:10 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Information Desk Opens
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Welcome Remarks
9:10 AM
9:10 AM – 9:55 AM
BUILT TO WIN: Mentally Fit, Powerfully Resilient, Competitively Strong
Let’s face it—burnout is the new pandemic.
One in four employees are struggling with mental strength. The pace of change is relentless. Disruption is the norm. And all these challenges are squeezing your margins and driving down results.
Resilience is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s your competitive advantage.
This high-energy, research-backed keynote delivers real-world strategies to build mental fitness, boost resilience, and fuel performance. It’s designed for leaders who want to do more than just cope—they want to win.
In this powerhouse program you will learn exactly how to become the kind of leader and team that rises in chaos, adapts under pressure, and turns stress into strength.
This isn’t just inspiration. It’s transformation—with ROI.
Whether you’re leading a team, driving sales, or managing frontline operations, this keynote will give you the tools to shift mindsets, energize performance, and future-proof your organization.
Key takeaways:
· Uncover the Real Cost of Mental Weakness: Learn what’s really draining productivity—and how to turn it around fast
· Lead with Strength, Empathy, and ROI: Discover the leadership traits that drive resilience, retention, and results
· Train for Mental Toughness: Walk away with a framework to build mental fitness into your team’s DNA
· Boost Performance Through Connection: Create a culture where people feel seen, supported, and motivated to deliver
· Outperform in Uncertainty: Build teams that thrive in volatility—and keep your organization moving forward
Speaker
Meridith Elliott Powell
Business Growth Expert
9:55 AM
9:55 AM – 10:40 AM
Leadership Panel: Navigating Headwinds — Learnings from AEP & the Road Ahead
- Break down how 2025’s AEP results reflected real-world headwinds, from shrinking margins and benefit cuts to tougher competition and compliance constraints, and the implications for sales & marketing professionals for the road ahead
- Explore practical takeaways to strengthen sales performance, member engagement, and broker relationships heading into 2026
- Discuss what’s actually working in today’s tougher Medicare Advantage landscape with focus on how frontline sales, marketing, and broker teams can adjust their outreach, messaging, and retention strategies in response to these pressures
Moderator
Peggy Sullivan
Productivity Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Creator of the Busy Busting Framework
Speaker
Andrew Napierala
Vice President, Medicare & Individual Market Sales at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Speaker
Gregorio Vasquez
Sr. Director of Medicare Markets at MVP Healthcare
Speaker
Michael Spartano
Vice President of Sales at Martin's Point Health Care
Speaker
Nishant Shukla
Chief Marketing Officer at SCAN Health Plan
10:40 AM
10:40 AM – 11:05 AM
Networking Break
11:05 AM
11:05 AM – 11:50 AM
Track A
Zero Errata, Less Chaos: A Case Study on Streamlining AEP Materials for CMS Compliance
Break down how ATRIO identified root-cause bottlenecks and redesigned its end-to-end AEP materials process to create more time for QA, improve accuracy, and eliminate errata
Explore how leadership buy-in and thoughtful vendor selection enabled lasting change, including how ATRIO evaluated solutions, aligned stakeholders and secured executive support to automated workflows
· Learn how ATRIO operationalized a new system to drive efficiency and consistency across teams, accelerate document review and approvals, and deliver English, Spanish, and 508-compliant materials weeks ahead of deadlines
Speaker
Cristi Vredenburg
VP of Enrollment, Product, & Marketing at ATRIO Health Plans
11:05 AM – 11:50 AM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Panel: Redefining Broker Success in Medicare Advantage
- Gain insight into how leading plans are redesigning broker incentive structures to balance growth, quality, and compliance
- Learn how to strengthen broker loyalty through new engagement models, training, and technology enablement
- Discover real-world approaches for aligning broker activity with plan-level retention and member experience goals
- Identify practical ways to future-proof broker partnerships amid evolving CMS regulations and competitive pressures
Moderator
Andrew Napierala
Vice President, Medicare & Individual Market Sales at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Speaker
Christopher Javor
National Director of Retail Sales at The AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies
Speaker
Todd Rau
Former Director, Sales and Product at IU Health Plans
11:50 AM
11:50 AM – 11:55 AM
5-minute transition
11:55 AM
11:55 AM – 12:10 PM
Track A
Tools and Technology Spotlight
11:55 AM – 12:10 PM
Track B
Tools and Technology Spotlight
12:10 PM
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM
Networking Lunch
1:10 PM
1:10 PM – 1:55 PM
Track A
Selling to Win: Aligning Sales and Product Strategy for Market Success
- Learn to pinpoint the features, benefits, and differentiators that resonate most in the market, and translate those insights into persuasive messaging that positions your offering for success
- Understand how to engage internal teams in meaningful discussions about product design, highlight opportunities to strengthen your offering, and ensure your sales perspective informs future enhancements
- Gain practical tactics for pivoting your approach when the product isn’t the primary differentiator, including emphasizing service, support, or other value-added elements that create a winning proposition for members and brokers
- Discover how to turn technical product knowledge into compelling narratives that drive engagement, trust, and conversion, ensuring your team can confidently communicate value in competitive markets
Speaker
Christopher Javor
National Director of Retail Sales at The AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies
Speaker
Kaleb Holt
Director of Medicare Products at Select Health
1:10 PM – 1:55 PM
Track B
Track Chair
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Case Study: Building a Compliant, Scalable AI Engine for MA Growth
- Explore a real-world example of how L.A. Care Health Plan is actively implementing AI-enabled tools, with insights into current operations, governance considerations, and decision-making approaches
- Understand how the organization continues to evaluate AI vendors, working to separate hype from reality, under a developed governance framework designed to validate performance and manage risk
- Identify practical opportunities to apply AI-driven efficiencies across the Medicare Advantage sales lifecycle, informed by emerging lessons and early measurable outcomes
Speaker
Tiffany Burris-Kobashigawa, MBA
Director, Sales Strategy and Services at L.A. Care Health Plan
Speaker
Melanie Fontes Rainer
Chief Transformation Officer at L.A. Care Health Plan
1:55 PM
1:55 PM – 2:00 PM
Closing Remarks by Track Chairs
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