There’s no better way to start a day than with coffee, colleagues and the buzz of anticipation in Las Vegas on the first full day of Applied Net 2025. The event’s agenda promised a blend of inspiration, innovation and a few surprises. At 7 a.m., I met up with my team and headed to the Dolby Live Theatre at Park MGM, where breakfast was served and the energy was already high.
Morning Education and Networking
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. — Keynotes: Welcome to the Intelligent Insurance Era
The morning’s educational offerings kicked off with keynote presentations that set the tone for the week. Taylor Rhodes, CEO of Applied Systems, welcomed us to the “Intelligent Insurance Era,” highlighting how AI is transforming our industry — not to replace us, but to empower us to focus on what he called “hero work.”
We got a sneak peek at several exciting developments, including:
- Applied Book Builder: A new tool built into Epic that simplifies prospecting and renewals by automating data collection and risk profiling.
- Applied Recon: A game-changer for commission reconciliation — just drag and drop your statements into Epic and let AI do the rest.
- Epic Max: A multiyear initiative that promises a “Google-like” search across Epic, making it easier than ever to find what you need.
Other announcements included enhancements to the Connection Suite, Epic Bridge (a seamless link between Outlook and Epic), and a new partnership with Cytora, aimed at digitizing commercial insurance workflows.
While the keynote was packed with information, the overarching message was clear: Applied is investing heavily in tools that make our work smarter, faster, and more connected.
10:00 a.m. -10:45 a.m. — Session Break: Time to Strategize
During the midmorning break, my colleagues and I grabbed a coffee and huddled up to compare notes and finalize our plan of attack. With over 250 sessions to choose from, it’s impossible to attend them all, so we decided to split up to cover more ground. As an implementation specialist, I’m especially interested in sessions that will help me support my team through our upcoming transition to Applied Epic Browser, so I headed to “Applied Epic New Features and Future Roadmap,” while a teammate joined an expert panel, “Strategies for Maintaining and Managing Data Quality”.
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. — Session 1: Applied Epic New Features and Future Roadmap
This session was a must-attend for me. It provided a deeper look into the future of Epic, including:
- Epic Bridge and Connection Suite Auto Update, which will significantly reduce administrative overhead.
- Completion of code modernization for Epic Browser will pave the way for faster development and easier integration with third-party tools.
- Plans to embed EZLynx Rating into Epic, with a pilot launching early next year.
- The upcoming Epic Max Search, which will allow users to search across activities, attachments and more — perfect for streamlining workflows.
As someone helping guide our organization through system changes, understanding these updates firsthand was invaluable.
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. — Lunch and Las Vegas Sunshine
After a morning of learning, it was time to recharge. Lunch was delicious and very well organized, with plenty of options and time to relax! I took a few minutes to enjoy the Las Vegas sunshine before heading back inside for the afternoon sessions.
Afternoon Learning: Browser and Beyond
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. — Session 2: Strategizing for a Successful Move to Applied Epic Browser
This session was tailor-made for my role. It covered browser-exclusive solutions like embedded dashboards, personal lines renewal insights and Epic Quotes for commercial lines. I feverishly took notes, as these features will be key as my team prepares to transition to the browser version of Epic, and it was helpful to hear strategies for a smooth rollout!
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. — Session 3: Canadian Marketplace Update
As a proud Canadian, I couldn’t miss this one! Steve Whitelaw, VP and GM of Applied Systems Canada, shared how the new features announced will be adapted for the Canadian market. He also touched on broader industry trends, including the impact of auto reform. It was great to hear how these changes will affect our local landscape and connect with other Canadian brokers.
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. — Canadian Reception
While one of my colleagues attended the Networking Roundtables to connect with peers on industry-specific challenges and solutions, another colleague and I made our way to the Canadian Reception. It was a great opportunity to mingle with brokers from across Canada, enjoy some snacks and refreshments, and hear more about how the latest Applied innovations are being tailored for the Canadian market.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. — Welcome Reception at the Applied Net Exchange
Once we regrouped, we headed into the Welcome Reception at the Applied Net Exchange, where over 100 industry-leading brands showcased their latest innovations. I may also have enjoyed some more snacks!
From carriers like Chubb and Travelers to tech partners like Quandri and Patra, the Exchange was a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration. The swag was top-tier — flashing green hats and plush dog slippers were the clear crowd favorites!
Of course, I made a stop at the ACN Booth, where this year’s Treasure Map Challenge added a fun twist. I spun the wheel to win a prize (the funky socks were my favourite!) and collected my annual member pin. Attendees who got all three stamps on their treasure map were entered into the draw for the grand prize: a Gen 4 Oura Ring with a one-year subscription.
7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. — Showtime: Michael Jackson ONE
After a full day of learning and networking, it was time to unwind. The evening event featured Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil at Mandalay Bay. With our conference badges and tickets in hand, my group opted to walk to the venue and enjoy the beautiful night. I won’t spoil the show, but let’s just say the music was iconic and the visuals were stunning — a perfect end to a memorable day!
Final Thoughts
Applied Net isn’t just a conference — it’s a full-on immersion into the future of insurance. From inspiring keynotes to hands-on sessions and lively networking events, today was packed with insights and energy. And the best part? We’re only halfway through!
With another day and a half still to go, there was plenty more to learn, explore and experience. The following day’s keynote promised to be a highlight, featuring none other than Martha Stewart!
But at the end of the first day, it was time to recharge and get ready to do it all again the next. This unforgettable first day set the tone for a fantastic week!
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