TAMPA, FL — August 19, 2026 — The Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) will bring benefits professionals, brokers, consultants, healthcare innovators and industry leaders together at the 2026 HVBA Innovation Summit – Tampa on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Hotel Alba Tampa.

Designed to be more than a traditional industry conference, the HVBA Innovation Summit combines timely education with intentional networking opportunities created to help attendees discover new solutions, develop meaningful partnerships and leave with opportunities to grow their businesses.

The Innovation Summit will take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET and will be moderated by Mike Hirshberg, Division Sales Manager, MassMutual.

“This event is about bringing the right people into the room and creating conversations that can lead to real business,” said Robert Shestack, Chairman & CEO of HVBA. “Our Innovation Summits give brokers and industry professionals an opportunity to hear what is changing in healthcare and benefits while connecting directly with organizations developing solutions to some of employers’ biggest challenges.”

Timely Sessions Addressing Today’s Benefits Challenges

The Tampa program will feature a series of concise, thought-provoking sessions focused on issues impacting employers, employees, brokers and benefit advisors.

Topics include:

Transforming GLP-1 Coverage Through a Sustainable Carve-Out Model: A MedWatch Employee Population Case Study
Presented by Chris McLellan, PMP, Vice President, Operations, MedWatch, the session will explore an alternative approach to managing the growing financial impact of GLP-1 medications.

The Retirement-Medicare Crossroads: Helping Employers and Employees Navigate What Comes Next
Cambria Smith, CEO of Aevitas, and Rick Solofsky, President and Published Author, Solofsky Financial Group, LLC, will discuss the increasingly important intersection between retirement planning, Medicare and employer benefits.

How PTO Exchange Turns Unused Time into Financial Flexibility
David Sherman, Director of Channel and Partnerships, PTO Exchange, will examine how unused paid time off can be transformed into meaningful financial benefits for employees.

The Use of AI During the Enrollment Process for a Multi-Generational Workforce
Lee Stokes, CEO, Fidelity Enrollment Services, will discuss how artificial intelligence is changing benefits enrollment and helping employers communicate with an increasingly diverse, multi-generational workforce.

VCRx Update
Robert Shestack, Chairman & CEO, HVBA, will provide an industry update on VCRx.

Recuro Health Built Intentionally to Serve – A Success Story
Jon O’Toole, Chief Revenue Officer, Recuro Health, will share insights into Recuro Health’s growth, strategy and approach to serving clients in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

The educational program culminates with the provocative fireside discussion:

“What the Health?? Rx Costs Shouldn’t Be Hell”

The conversation will feature Jake Velie, Vice Chair & President, HVBA and Chairman & CEO, National Integrative Health; Rachel Strauss, Founder & CEO, Rachel Strauss PBM Princess; and Chris McLellan, PMP, Vice President, Operations, MedWatch.

The panel will examine the rising cost and complexity of prescription drugs, PBM strategy, high-cost pharmacy and other areas where brokers and employers can challenge traditional approaches and identify new opportunities for savings.

From Education to an Upscale Casino Night Experience

Immediately following the Innovation Summit, attendees will transition into an upscale Casino-Themed Networking Reception from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET in the Westshore Ballroom.

The reception will feature a premium open bar, heavy butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, casino gaming, networking and premium giveaways, creating a lively environment designed specifically to encourage attendees to move around the room, meet new people and develop meaningful business relationships.

Casino games begin at 4:00 PM, followed by heavy passed hors d’oeuvres beginning at 4:30 PM. Attendees will have opportunities throughout the evening to earn entries for premium giveaways, with winning tickets pulled between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Attendees must be present to win.

Rather than relying on traditional exhibit booths, HVBA events are designed around interaction and relationship-building — giving solution providers, brokers and industry leaders more opportunities to have substantive conversations.

More Than Business Cards

The philosophy behind HVBA’s Innovation Summits is simple: attendees should leave with more than a stack of business cards.

Through focused education, curated introductions and experiential networking, HVBA creates an environment where brokers can discover solutions to help retain and gain clients, while healthcare and benefits companies can develop partnerships with professionals actively looking for innovation.

The Tampa event also includes the HVBA Board Meeting on Thursday morning, open to board members and invited guests, as well as a private, invitation-only dinner on Wednesday, August 19, sponsored by Juice Financial.

The private dinner will bring invited guests together for an intimate evening of introductions, conversation and relationship-building before the Summit officially begins.

The 2026 HVBA Innovation Summit – Tampa will be held Thursday, August 20, at Hotel Alba Tampa.

Attendance is limited, and qualified brokers may attend the Innovation Summit at no cost.

For registration information and additional details, visit the Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® website.

About the Health & Voluntary Benefits Association®

The Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) brings together brokers, consultants, employers, carriers, solution providers and benefits innovators to advance meaningful conversations and partnerships throughout the healthcare and employee benefits ecosystem. Through Innovation Summits, industry education, research, media and curated networking opportunities, HVBA works to connect professionals with the ideas, technologies and relationships that can help improve benefits strategies and business outcomes.

Media Contact:
Health & Voluntary Benefits Association®
Jenny Jenkins
jjenkins@vbassociation.com