IIASD Women’s Conference
May 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Cherapa Place | Sioux Falls, SD
Join us for a day of connection, inspiration, and professional growth at the IIASD Women’s Conference. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this event is designed to empower women in insurance!
Your Emcee: Meg McKeen, CIC
For most of us, Meg needs no introduction! If you haven’t met her yet, here’s some info:
Meg McKeen is the founder of Adjunct Advisors LLC and host of Bound & Determined℠, a podcast for and by women in insurance. With 25 years of experience working inside carriers, independent agencies, and as a consultant, Meg is a Certified Insurance Counselor, licensed independent agent, and recognized industry leader — named one of Insurance Business America’s Elite Women (2021) and Hot 100 (2021). She launched Adjunct Advisors with a simple belief: we can do more to support individuals who have chosen a career in insurance. Through coaching, speaking, and workshops, Meg replaces fear and confusion with confidence.
Keynote Speaker: Liz Fiedler Mergen
Liz Fiedler Mergen is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and storyteller. After being unexpectedly widowed at 31 — and discovering she was pregnant the day after the funeral — Liz faced a defining choice: stay stuck or start rebuilding. She chose to rise. She walked away from her career as a nurse practitioner, built multiple six-figure businesses, and now speaks to leaders and changemakers across the country. Liz blends authentic storytelling, humor, and real-world strategies to challenge audiences to stop waiting and start creating their own success. Her memoir, Flowers Bloom Anyway: Grief, Grace, and Growth, releases March 3, 2026.
Aree Bly
Aree Bly is a speaker, author, coach, and former healthcare actuary with experience in both corporate and consulting environments. She now helps professionals create more sustainability in their careers and lives by addressing the underlying causes of burnout, overload, and feeling stuck. Whether through her TEDx talk, her book The Sustainable Brain, or her work with corporate and association audiences, Aree brings a grounded presence and practical perspectives that resonate with high-achieving professionals seeking more sustainable success. She lives in Colorado with her husband, daughters, dog, and a few thousand bees.
tentative agenda
Day 1 — Wednesday, May 6
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | Opening Reception Happy Hour |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner Pre-conference dinner at Crave |
Day 2 — Thursday, May 7
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast + Registration Continental style |
| 9:30 – 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks Mike & Meg McKeen — Welcome, intention setting, grounding exercise |
| 9:40 – 10:15 AM | Grounding Session Franklen Phares |
| 10:15 – 11:15 AM | Flowers Bloom Anyway Keynote — Liz Fiedler Mergen |
| 11:15 – 11:30 AM | Your Future Self Letter-writing activity — Meg McKeen |
| 11:30 – 12:15 PM | Networking Lunch Catered by Chef Dom’s |
| 12:15 – 12:30 PM | Breathwork Franklen Phares |
| 12:30 – 1:45 PM | Escaping the To-Do Mentality Workshop — Aree Bly |
| 1:45 – 2:00 PM | Break |
| 2:00 – 2:45 PM | Roundtable Discussions Facilitated small-group conversations |
| 2:45 – 3:00 PM | Roundtable Takeaways + Closing Meg McKeen |
| 3:00 PM | Depart |
* Agenda is subject to change. Times are approximate.
Early Bird Perk
The first 75 registrants will receive a signed copy of Liz’s book, Flowers Bloom Anyway — don’t wait to secure your spot!
Catering
Coffea will have baristas on-site to make your favorite coffee drinks from 8am – 10am.
Lunch provided by Chef Dom’s. If you have any food allergies, please contact Sarah.
Hotel Accommodations
Attending from out of town? Two convenient hotels are located just steps from the venue:
- Hilton Garden Inn Downtown — 201 E 8th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57103. $198/night. Group code: 505
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson — 200 E 8th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Pre-Conference Dinner
Arriving the night before? Join fellow attendees for dinner at Crave on the evening of May 6. Space is limited — RSVP when you register.