Accelerate 2026 brought together a highly engaged community of insurance professionals to power what’s possible in the AI era, sparking conversations, forging high-impact connections and experiencing firsthand the innovations redefining what’s next for the industry. More than 2,000 attendees participated in the event by Vertafore, the leader in insurance technology, and the Network of Vertafore Users (NetVU).
Vertafore CEO Amy Zupon and Chief Product Officer James Thom took the stage to outline a bold vision for the future, centred on delivering Distribution Velocity across the
insurance value chain. They showed how agencies, MGAs and carriers can harness core digital technology, unmatched data and insurance-specific AI to reduce friction across workflows and achieve speed with intentional outcomes.
During the keynote, Vertafore introduced the Velocity AI Platform, brought ReferenceConnect AI to market to deliver trusted insights, launched six AI agents to reduce manual work and improve efficiency, and announced AgencyOne® Certificates to streamline certificate management and improve client service.
“This Accelerate was our most impactful event yet, and our customers brought incredible energy. They’re ready to put AI to work,” said Rick Warter, chief customer officer at Vertafore. “From the Velocity AI Platform to the momentum behind AgencyOne, everything we delivered this week focused on helping agencies, MGAs and carriers adapt faster and grow smarter.”
NetVU and Vertafore brought AI to life at Accelerate with hands-on learning designed to turn ideas into action. Attendees worked through real-world use cases and practical training to apply AI across submissions, quoting, servicing and client engagement, reducing manual work and unlocking faster insights.
Education tracks combined technical guidance from Vertafore product experts with real-world experience and tangible next steps from NetVU volunteer session leaders, empowering peer insurance professionals to move from concepts to real, everyday impact.
“You could feel the momentum around AI in every session and every conversation this week. At a time of rapid change, community plays a critical role in helping us collaborate on best practices, stay connected and put what we’ve learnt into action so we can continue to learn, grow and thrive together,” said Shyla Lankford, chair of the NetVU Board of Directors and principal at Symphony Risk Solutions.