The Americas Forum brings together insurance leaders across the region to share knowledge, discuss emerging risks, and explore market trends. Our Americas steering team is attending from the USA, Canada, Bolivia, and Brazil, and we asked them two key questions:
1 - Why is it important to attend the Americas Forum, and what are you looking forward to?
USA – Thai A. Hong
“Meeting partners in person is critical to building and affirming professional relationships. It enables a deeper understanding of the individual as well as the overall insurance and business environment in the Americas.”
Canada – Gagandeep Sekhon
“Attending the Forum is important because it brings together leaders from across the region to share insights on emerging risks, innovation, and shifting market dynamics. I’m looking forward to conversations that spark new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and help us stay ahead of evolving trends.”
Bolivia – Leo Fleig
“For me, the most important part is building better relationships with all participants. It allows us to understand market trends, explore new products in the international market, share success stories, and gain access to capacities from reinsurance providers.”
Brazil – Ariel Couto
“Attending Americas Forum 2026 is crucial to building an even stronger Brokerslink! It's the perfect moment to learn more about Brokerslink and the network, make new connections, and reinforce the existing ones.”
2 - What challenges and opportunities is the insurance market facing right now?
USA – Thai A. Hong
“The US insurance market continues to face ongoing challenges, including high claims costs driven by inflation and climate-related catastrophes, pressure on underwriting margins, legacy technology modernization, cyber risk mitigation, and complex state-level regulations.
Another challenge is attracting new talent, as many insurers and brokers do not sufficiently train new workers.
However, opportunities are abundant. Innovative startups are leveraging AI and online platforms to underwrite and manage risks efficiently. Consolidation in the brokerage space is creating larger, more specialized, and efficient operators, driving new growth and competitive advantage.”
Canada – Gagandeep Sekhon
“The Canadian market has moved out of a hard market environment, with more stability, capacity, and competition. Challenges remain, including climate-driven CAT losses, evolving regulations, and the need for data-driven underwriting.
At the same time, there are exciting opportunities: clients want more strategic guidance, specialty lines are growing, and digital transformation is reshaping how solutions are delivered. Brokers combining insight, agility, and strong carrier relationships can create meaningful value.”
Bolivia – Leo Fleig
“With the new government, Bolivia is seeking foreign investment, creating opportunities in new legislation for electricity, oil, and gas markets. There’s also a growing demand for reinsurance solutions for state power and oil & gas companies.”
Brazil – Ariel Couto
“As is the case in the rest of the world, the Brazilian insurance market has been experiencing the effects of a very soft market. While on one hand we see rate and premium reductions, on the other, we have been able to advise our clients to take advantage of this moment by broadening their coverage or extending their policies.”
