Gage Link – 2026 Annual Conference Student Scholar Reflection

When I found out I had been selected as a 2026 PRIMA Student Scholar, I felt incredibly honored and grateful. As a recent graduate of Austin Peay State University, I knew attending the PRIMA Annual Conference would be an incredible opportunity to learn from professionals across the country. What I did not realize was how many friendships, memories, and life experiences would come from one week in Fort Lauderdale.

I arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon, excited about what lay ahead. Before the conference even really got underway, I could already tell the Student Scholar Program was something special. Melissa Steger, Mark “RxProfessor” Pew, and Ann Marie Sharpe immediately made us feel welcome. Throughout the week, they were much more than mentors. They introduced us to professionals, encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones, answered countless questions, and genuinely invested in each of us. Their willingness to pour into the next generation of professionals made what could have been an overwhelming first PRIMA conference feel welcoming from the very beginning.

That evening, I attended the President’s Reception and Welcome Reception. Walking into the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel and seeing professionals from across the country gathered in one place immediately set the tone for the week. From the very beginning, it was clear this conference was about much more than attending educational sessions. It was about building relationships, learning from one another, and investing in the future of the profession.

One of the greatest parts of the conference was getting to know the other Student Scholars. Although we all came from different schools and different parts of the country, we connected almost immediately. I spent most of the week with Charles McLaughlin from Las Vegas, Darian Baker from Southern University and A&M College, and Mason Dingee from Michigan. Looking back, that is probably what made the conference so special. Four students from completely different backgrounds found common ground through a shared interest in public risk management. We attended sessions together, explored Fort Lauderdale together, and spent countless hours talking about our universities, our careers, our goals, and where life would take us. It amazes me how quickly strangers became genuine friends, and I look forward to staying connected with them over the years, celebrating one another’s successes, and seeing many of the goals we talked about at PRIMA become reality.

Another part of the conference that meant a great deal to me was seeing familiar faces from Montgomery County Government. During my senior year at Austin Peay, I had the privilege of working in Human Resources for Montgomery County Government, so it was especially meaningful to see Jennifer Hood officially become PRIMA President. It was also great catching up with Colleen Gildee, Captain Mark Wojnarek, Ginger Edlin Parker, and several other Montgomery County department directors. Seeing people I had the opportunity to work alongside representing Montgomery County on the national stage made me incredibly proud. It reminded me how fortunate I have been to learn from outstanding leaders early in my career.

Throughout the week, I attended educational sessions covering leadership, artificial intelligence, communication, workers’ compensation, and professional development. One session that especially stood out was Building Your Professional Community with Melissa Steger, Mark Pew, and Bob Wilson. Their message centered around something that became the theme of my week. Careers are built through relationships. Technical knowledge is important, but genuine relationships, continuous learning, and investing in others are what create lasting success.

Another session that left an impression on me was The Blueprint for Catastrophic Workers’ Compensation Claims presented by Jeff Rush. Listening to real-world examples reinforced the importance of preparation, communication, and strong leadership when responding to difficult situations. Kelly Swanson’s keynote on The Power of Story also resonated with me. She reminded us that people may not remember every presentation or statistic, but they will remember the stories we tell and the way we make them feel. That message has stayed with me ever since.

Networking was easily my favorite part of the conference. Since I had already graduated and recently begun my career as an Account Manager with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, I attended the conference with a slightly different perspective than many of the other students. I found myself connecting many of the conference topics to both my previous experience in local government and my new role in business. Whether discussing communication, organizational culture, leadership, or relationship building, I realized those principles apply no matter what career path you choose.

Outside of the educational sessions, PRIMA created experiences that I will never forget. I attended every networking event available to Student Scholars, including the Gallagher Student Scholar Dinner, sponsor receptions, the Business Exchange, the Signature Social Event, and the rooftop cocktail reception at Pier Sixty Six overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach. Growing up in rural Tennessee, standing high above the Atlantic Ocean while talking with professionals from across the country was something I had never experienced before. It was one of those moments where I looked around and realized how thankful I was to have been given this opportunity.

The Gallagher Student Scholar Dinner was one of the nicest dinners I have ever attended, and I am incredibly grateful for Gallagher’s generosity and investment in students. It was another opportunity to build relationships with professionals who genuinely cared about encouraging young people entering the profession.

The Signature Social Event at the MAD Arts Museum was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Walking through an interactive technology and digital art museum while networking with professionals from across the country, listening to a live DJ, and enjoying incredible food made for an unforgettable evening. One funny memory from that night was accidentally taking an Uber to the wrong museum before realizing our mistake and having to order another ride to the correct location. It gave us a good laugh and became one of those stories we’ll always remember.

Some of my favorite memories came during the little moments between conference events. I had never seen dozens of large iguanas casually walking around a hotel pool before, and I learned they are actually an invasive species in Florida. I walked out onto Fort Lauderdale Beach and was surprised to find a basketball court built right on the sand, something I had never seen before. We also stopped at Jackson’s Ice Cream in Dania Beach, another fun experience during the trip.

One unexpected benefit of the conference was receiving a professional headshot. I have already updated my LinkedIn profile, Facebook profile, and resume with it, and I know it will continue to benefit me long after the conference ends. It was another example of PRIMA’s investment in helping students prepare for their professional careers.

As I flew home to Tennessee, I found myself reflecting on everything the week had given me. I came to Fort Lauderdale expecting to attend a conference. Instead, I left with mentors who genuinely invested in me, friendships across the country, unforgettable experiences, and a renewed excitement for my career. There were several moments throughout the week when I paused and thought about how grateful I was. As a kid from Dover, Tennessee, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to experience something like this. It was a reminder of how faithful God has been in opening doors and placing incredible opportunities and people in my life.

As I continue my career with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, I know many of the lessons I learned at PRIMA will stay with me. Building relationships, communicating well, remaining curious, and never stopping learning are qualities that apply far beyond public risk management. They are qualities that make better professionals and better people.

I want to sincerely thank PRIMA, the Student Scholar Program, our mentors Melissa Steger, Mark Pew, and Ann Marie Sharpe, our sponsors, and every professional who took time to encourage and invest in students throughout the week. Thank you for believing in the next generation and for creating an experience that truly exceeded every expectation. Looking back, PRIMA gave me so much more than a conference. It gave me lifelong memories, meaningful friendships, mentors I can continue learning from, and an experience I will always be grateful for.