50 Years & Beyond: Highlights from the 2nd Annual Larson Insurance Summit

Celebrating 50 Years and Looking Ahead: Highlights from the 2nd Annual Larson Insurance Summit

November 24, 2025

On November 13^th, Larson hosted its 2nd Annual Insurance Summit—a half-day event dedicated to training, collaboration, and insight for Utah’s insurance professionals. This year’s summit was especially meaningful as Larson celebrates 50 years of service to the insurance market, a milestone proudly noted by Allison Johnson, audit partner and leader of our insurance practice, during her warm welcome to attendees.

The day began with an energetic session on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Key Changes,” presented by Jason Parker and Craig Swindlehurst, two of Larson’s tax experts. They set the tone with an interactive survey that revealed some unexpected hobbies among participants—surfing, embroidery, and even studying native flowers. Their presentation tackled 17 critical topics under OBBBA, guided by audience input on what mattered most. The top picks were “New Guidance for Income Tax Footnote Disclosure” and “Impact of Government Shutdown on the IRS.” For those eager to dive deeper, check out our detailed blog post on OBBBA & IRS Tax Changes:  What Insurance Companies Need to Know. Jason and Craig kept things lively with humor about employer meal deductions and fielded audience questions that sparked spirited accounting discussions.

Next came a thought-provoking panel led by James Davis, audit professional at Larson, featuring Byron Allen of American Savings Life, Daren Hackett of Bear River Mutual Insurance Company, and Brian Smith of WCF Insurance. These industry leaders explored staffing challenges, technology shifts, and broader market trends. Remote work and specialized hiring were top of mind, along with the difficulty of finding STAT accounting and IT talent. Companies are responding with mentoring programs, internships, and even “Bus Books”—succession plans designed to keep operations running smoothly in any scenario. Technology dominated the conversation as panelists shared experiences with legacy system migrations and the growing influence of AI. Brian Smith summed it up perfectly: “AI is not going to take your job, but someone who knows AI will take your job.” The discussion also touched on consumer behavior, rising claim severity, and evolving sales strategies as younger generations prefer digital interactions over phone calls.

The summit concluded with Ryan Brown, Regional VP and Senior Wealth Advisor at Mariner, who delivered an insightful session titled “Market Outlook and Navigating the Current Environment.” Ryan described the past year as “clear air turbulence”. A reminder that while the outlook is positive, hidden pockets of risk remain. His advice emphasized proactive financial planning and retirement strategies, offering practical guidance that resonated with attendees.

The summit wrapped up with lunch and networking, leaving participants energized and informed. As Larson marks its 50th anniversary, we remain dedicated to supporting our clients and partners through expertise, innovation, and collaboration.

For additional guidance, we are happy to share with you the slides from the training.  You can find the slide presentations below using the following links:

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Other Tax Updates

Market Outlook for Year End 2025/2026 & Navigating the Current Environment

Ready to learn more or need guidance on insurance audits and tax strategies? Contact Larson today to see how our team can help you navigate the complexities of the insurance industry.