Excited to announce the launch of the Global Insurance Symposium’s annual Student Case Study Competition! This is a fantastic event and opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills while building their networks and resumes. 

Competition Details:

• Global Insurance Symposium information: The Global Insurance Symposium offers an educational and networking opportunity for over 500 insurance and financial services company executives, national and international regulators, state and federal government representatives, entrepreneurs, and startup tech firms. Held in one of the leading global insurance hubs, Des Moines, Iowa, the Global Insurance Symposium is an opportunity for regulators, insurance professionals, and startups to discuss great content delivered by powerhouse speakers.
• Competition information: The Student Case Study Competition is an opportunity for forward-thinking students to pitch ideas and talents to top industry executives. Students will also be invited to attend exclusive networking events where they have access to top industry leaders. Students will compete in teams to create a case study that provides an answer to a hot topic in the insurance industry. A panel of judges will select three finalists who will compete on the Global Insurance Symposium stage. Symposium attendees will vote for a first, second, and third-place winner, and all three teams receive cash prizes. 
• Deadline to enter the competition: Feb. 24, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
• Team size: Two to four students.
• Eligibility: Must be in college, interested in the insurance industry, and looking for exclusive networking opportunities. The competition is open to all majors. Students from multiple schools can work together on the same team. Students must create a team name unrelated to their school to keep their school affiliation anonymous and promote unbiased judging.   
• Case study topic: Based on the following data, students will create a case study to answer the question below. 

The insurance industry faces two national challenges:

Over the next 15 years, 50% of the current insurance workforce will retire. This leaves more than 400,000 open positions unfilled, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Between 2007 and 2009 (economic downturn), fertility rates fell more rapidly than any other two-year period in the country’s recent history. The national birth rate fell by almost 23% between 2007 and 2022, dropping from 14.3 births per 1,000 people to 11.1, according to data from the CDC.

In an era of increasing retirement and decreasing births, the insurance industry faces a systemic workforce risk. How can insurers showcase the value of the industry, manage human capital risk, and attract the next generation of talent, allowing the industry to thrive into the future?

• Example case studies
  • University of Iowa, 2025
  • Drake University, 2025
  • Saint Joseph’s University, 2025

How to participate:

1. Students will form a team of two to four like-minded students and create a unique team name that does not reveal their school affiliation. 
2. Students will deliver a recorded presentation using a provided PowerPoint slide deck (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD), addressing the question: “How can insurers showcase the value of the industry, manage human capital risk, and attract the next generation of talent, allowing the industry to thrive into the future?” based on the provided data. 
3. Students will submit their final case study video HERE by Feb. 24, 2026, for judging. To ensure unbiased judging, students should not reveal the name of their college or university in any part of their submission. Instead, students should create a team name that holds no affiliation to their college/university.  
4. A Global Insurance Symposium representative will be in touch with the judging results on March 6, 2026.
   1. The top three teams chosen by judges will present their case studies on the Global Insurance Symposium stage in Des Moines, Iowa. Travel to Des Moines and accommodations are provided. 
   2. Symposium attendees will vote for the best case presented, choosing a first, second, and third-place winner. 

Incentives:

• Prize money
  • $1,500 will be awarded to the team with the most votes, $1,000 will be awarded to the first runner-up, and $750 will be awarded to the second runner-up.
• Networking opportunities
  • The Global Insurance Symposium hosts over 500 insurance and financial service company executives, national and international regulators, state and federal government representatives, entrepreneurs, and tech startup firms, offering a unique opportunity for your students to meet professionals and make connections that can help propel their future careers.
• Resume builder
  • The Student Case Study Competition provides a unique opportunity for your students to solve a real-world problem facing the insurance industry, strengthening their critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills. By participating, students will gain valuable insights into the industry, a project to showcase to potential employers, and skills essential for their future careers. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills, build your resumes, and grow your professional networks. 

Additional information can be found on the Global Insurance Symposium website, or by contacting msmith@ls2group.com.