MetroRAP
Be the MVP in the Age of AI
Thursday, Jan. 29 | Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Step up your game at MetroRAP 2026—where insurance professionals come to lead, learn, and level up. From cutting-edge sessions on AI and automation to practical insights on E&O risk reduction, you’ll gain the tools to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Don't miss out on this incredible day of networking and collaboration. With a range of networking opportunities, a buzzing trade show, exceptional education, and even a welcome reception with NY-YIP, MetroRAP 2026 has something for everyone in the insurance industry.
Reasons to attend:
Be your agency’s MVP
Master AI-driven strategies and E&O risk prevention to stay ahead and lead your agency to success.
Networking Advantage
Connect face-to-face with industry experts, agents, and vendors.
Energized Trade Show
Connect with vendors offering tools to elevate your business and maximize impact.
Schedule
Wednesday, Jan. 28
6–9 p.m.
MetroRAP Welcome Reception
Hosted by NY-YIP
Connolly’s Times Square
Get tickets here!
Separate registration required.
Thursday, Jan. 29
7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Registration desk open
8:30-10 a.m.
Panel Discussion–Part I
Game Changer: Using AI to Become an Insurance MVP
10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Continental breakfast
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Trade show
—Cash door prize drawings
—Exhibitor and major door prize drawings
—Best overall booth experience winner
1-2:30 p.m.
Keynote/Awards Lunch
Featuring … Tiki Barber, NY Giants former Running Back
Steve Diamond, posthumously, Distinguished Insurance Service award
Meryl Golden, Kingstone Insurance Co., Executive of the Year award
2:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion–Part II
Beyond the Firewall: Emerging Exposures in Cyber & AI
Keynote /Awards Lunch
1-2:30 p.m.
Keynote speaker sponsored by: CNA
Lunch sponsored by: Distinguished
Keynote Speaker
Get ready for an unforgettable Keynote/Awards Lunch
We’re excited to feature this year’s keynote speaker, Tiki Barber.
- Record-breaking 10-year career with the New York Giants
- Former NBC broadcaster and current co-host of ‘Evan & Tiki’ on WFAN
- Successful entrepreneur: co-founder of Julius Inc. and Thuizo
Barber will share with the audience strategies on maintaining motivation and becoming an MVP for your agency. You don’t want to miss it!
Award Winners
Steve Diamond, posthumously, Distinguished Insurance Service award
Steven L. Diamond was the president of the Simon Agency NY Inc. His experience in the insurance industry spanned nearly 50 years, and he had been with the Simon Agency since 2001. He was president of the Professional Wholesalers Insurance Association from 2021-23. During his tenure as PIWA president he was committed to growing the relationships between wholesalers and the companies and retail brokers with which they do business. Throughout his expansive career, he earned numerous accolades for his excellence from various organizations including: Marquis Who’s Who, the Long Island Beach Chamber of Commerce and the United Jewish Appeal.
Meryl Golden, Kingstone Insurance Co., Executive of the Year award
Meryl Golden joined Kingstone Cos., in September of 2019 as the company’s chief operating officer, and she was named president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1, 2023. She is a director on the Kingstone Companies board and a member of the Executive Committee of Kingstone Insurance Co., since September 2019, as well as its president since October 2021. Golden led Kingstone’s modernization and turnaround efforts, which resulted in market-leading growth and profitability. She has more than 25 years of insurance experience in various roles. Previously, she served as the general manager for the Northeast region at both Liberty Mutual and Progressive, managing product, pricing, distribution, customer service and claims. Golden also was the general manager at Earnix—a technology and analytics company. Golden received her MBA from University of Chicago and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Wharton School–University of Pennsylvania.
Panel Discussions
Brad Lachut, Esq.
With more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Lachut is responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for PIA Northeast. Lachut has been involved with the regulatory framework of cybersecurity protection since the inception of New York’s cybersecurity regulation in 2015. Since that time, he has authored numerous articles and developed several educational courses designed to assist insurance producers with navigating the regulatory framework that has been developed around cybersecurity protections. As a big sci-fi fan, Lachut has been preparing for the artificial intelligence apocalypse for many years and he is uniquely positioned to discuss the opportunities and challenges that AI presents to the insurance industry.
8:30–10 a.m.
Game Changer: Using AI to Become an Insurance MVP
Submitted for NY & NJ CE credits.
Sponsored by: IBANY
During this session, panelists will share how they leverage artificial intelligence to better serve clients and strengthen their agencies. Attendees will learn practical AI applications for risk prevention and gain insights from multiple perspectives—agency, wholesaler, and carrier—so they can put AI to work for their business.
Moderator:
Brad Lachut, Esq., PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs
Panelists:
- Scott Chirls, chief information officer, SterlingRisk
- Matthew Hart, founder & CEO, Soter Analytics
- Shiraz Saeed, senior vice president–product leader cyber & technology risk, ARC Excess & Surplus
- Andrew Shockey, vice president–risk management services, Philadelphia Insurance Cos.
2:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Beyond the Firewall: Emerging Exposures in Cyber & AI
Submitted for NY & NJ CE credits.
Sponsored by: Excess Line Association of NY
In this panel, coverage experts will focus on cyberliability and professional liability to explain how insurance carriers are adapting policy wording to address the increased use of AI. They will highlight the wording to be aware of, and the advice that insurance professionals can give to their clients about these increasing exposures.
Moderator:
Brad Lachut, Esq., PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs
Panelists:
- Michael Cavallaro, CEO, ARC Excess & Surplus
- Daniel Toutoungi, cyber specialist, Corvus by Travelers
- Jason Curreri, General Council and product & language expert
Trade Show
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Meet vendors and discover markets that will help your business.
Our trade-show floor is brimming with opportunities waiting to be seized. Browse for the newest innovations, and products for your business. With a diverse range of exhibitors representing the best of the industry, it's a dynamic marketplace of ideas, products, and services.
Back this year "Best in (Trade) Show" contest—a chance for you to be the judge and crown the most outstanding booth on the floor. Attendees will vote for their favorite booth based on overall experience, creativity, and innovation.
