More than 11,000 industry professionals from 70+ countries came together to collaborate and connect at the 2025 RISKWORLD® conference this year in Chicago, the hometown of Gallagher. The Risk Management Society (RIMS)-led annual event is the premier global stage for risk professionals, offering unparalleled opportunities to connect with thought leaders and the international risk management community.
Onsite, Gallagher took part in seven thought leadership panels, hosted hundreds in its hospitality suite and cheered on its 20 golfers who raised $110K+ in the annual Spencer-Gallagher Golf Tournament to support education of tomorrow's risk management and insurance leaders.
Gallagher also held a premier event at the Art Institute of Chicago, showcasing one of the city's most iconic landmarks and welcoming 1,300 attendees to experience a taste of Chicago with food from Chicago's Pilsen, Chinatown and Greektown neighborhoods.
Here are our key takeaways from the biggest industry event of the year.
1. Keep a pulse on positive property market buzz
Market discussions buzzed about the positive trends emerging in the Property space. Despite these encouraging signs, concern about market volatility persists. Discussions cautioned against complacency in the market and encouraged exploring more options and pursuing innovative solutions.
A key focus was on opportunities to enhance how the industry acts on data and analytics to improve Property risk profiles. The overarching message is clear: We must remain vigilant and proactive, extending our efforts beyond traditional risk transfer and improvement strategies.
2. Plan renewal readiness conversations for Casualty early
Talk about Casualty largely centered on early preparation for potential increases ahead of renewals, exploring options for organizations to take on more risk and the emergence of new market entrants and capacity. Social inflation, litigation funding and challenges in the commercial auto line were key agenda items. Interest in the Excess and Surplus (E&S) market is expanding, with indications of ongoing premium growth and submission activity in this sector.
3. In-person collaboration reigns supreme
While video calls and remote meetings are still a critical and primary way to conduct business, face-to-face meetings ruled as the biggest benefit. Conversations expanded beyond core groups as they tapped into various technology and experts who came together in one place and time to discuss nearly every risk, everywhere around the world. The energy of real-life interactions among the Gallagher global team, clients, carriers and partners saw an increase in the speed of advancement of global solutions, deeper engagement and freely exchanged ideas.
4. Seek out discourse on AI potential and risk
Nearly every conversation touched on artificial intelligence (AI) in some way, with the consensus that there's immense potential with unrealized risk. Business leaders talked about their enthusiasm and readiness to invest. Brokers shared how AI can boost efficiency, automate complex operations and enhance predictive data analysis.
Bottom line: While some are eager for immediate impact, others are cautiously ensuring AI technology strengthens the broker-client-carrier relationship without causing disruption. Keep the line of communication on this topic open.
5. Navigate change through risk profile improvement
The undercurrent of conversation in the halls and walls was the impact of macroeconomic shifts on business operations and insurance programs. Prioritizing risk management to help improve your risk profile and obtain favorable insurance terms was a major point of discussion. Gallagher experts shared how supplying thorough information about your business operations, risk management practices and loss history is key for underwriters to accurately assess your risk.
Effective renewal practices involve starting early, exploring various options, providing detailed data and safety initiatives, and effectively communicating your story.