Samantha Staromana – 2026 Annual Conference Student Scholar Reflection

Before going to PRIMA 2026, I had already been fortunate enough to have attended several insurance conferences throughout my college career. Each one has helped me grow professionally in different ways, but there was something about PRIMA that made it stand out. From the moment I arrived, I genuinely felt welcomed. Everyone, from the mentors and conference organizers to the sponsors and attendees, went out of their way to make sure the student scholars felt included. There was a warmth that I can only describe as southern hospitality. It didn't feel like we were just students attending a conference. It felt like people were truly invested in helping us learn, connect, and succeed.

One of my favorite parts of the conference was spending time in the Business Exchange. I could have walked around for hours talking to people, and honestly, I almost did. Every booth had someone excited to share what they do and explain how they contribute to public risk management. I never felt like I was interrupting anyone or asking too many questions. Instead, every conversation turned into an opportunity to learn. Whether we were discussing claims, risk financing, technology, or career advice, I walked away from each conversation with a better understanding of the industry and a new connection.

Going into the conference, most of my experience had been in the private insurance sector through internships and coursework. I wasn't very familiar with public risk management, but PRIMA completely changed that. Listening to professionals discuss the unique risks faced by municipalities, school districts, and public organizations opened my eyes to another side of the industry that I hadn't explored before. I left the conference with a genuine interest in learning more about the public sector and how risk professionals make such a meaningful impact on their communities.

I also found myself attending a lot of sessions focused on claims, which wasn't surprising considering my background. Having previously interned in claims, I enjoyed hearing how claims management works in the public sector and how organizations approach investigations, liability, and risk prevention. It was interesting to compare those experiences with what I had already learned and see both the similarities and the unique challenges that public entities face. Those sessions reinforced how important claims professionals are in helping organizations recover while also preventing future losses.

Of course, one of the best parts of PRIMA was the people. The other student scholars quickly became friends, and I loved getting to know students from different universities who all shared an interest in risk management. The mentors were incredibly generous with their time and advice, and the sponsors made a genuine effort to get to know us. Throughout the conference, I never felt like just another attendee. I felt taken care of, encouraged, and supported.

Looking back, PRIMA 2026 wasn't just another conference for me. It reminded me why I chose this industry in the first place. The educational sessions were valuable, but it was the people and conversations that made the biggest impact. I left with new knowledge, meaningful friendships, and a growing interest in public risk management that I didn't have before. I'm incredibly grateful to PRIMA for investing in students like me, and I hope to stay involved with this amazing community for years to come.