198 financial and insurance conference planners and more than 500 hospitality partners met at Washington Hilton for FICP Annual Conference 2025. This year’s theme was Capitalize, highlighting the event’s next-level networking opportunities.
At FICP Annual Conference at Washington Hilton this week 198 financial and insurance conference planners heard fresh ideas for delivering over-the-top conferences from the likes of “Unreasonable Hospitality” author Will Guidara, The People’s Portfolio founder Platon, and entrepreneur-philanthropist Magie Cook.
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This year’s theme, Capitalize, highlighted the next-level networking events that had the more than 500 hospitality partners in attendance talking. The reason for attending for many, however, was the chance to talk to peers about everything from safety and security to leadership and practical uses of AI. Smart Meetings was in attendance and came away with ideas worth trying.
Embrace the Theme
Each reception took its influence from its respective location and ran with it to the delight of attendees; they got into the action with help from Pinterest boards sent in advance with attire suggestions.
For the welcome event, Hello! Destination Management teamed up with Destination DC for an evening of intrigue at the International Spy Museum. Intelligence officers shared firsthand stories and even the food felt like an act of discovery.
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On night two, event planning and creative agency Cohera produced a Symphony Soiree at National Cathedral that put the focus on the grand setting with colored lights, candles, concert music and a choir. The “symphony of sounds and flavors” featured elevated cuisine, such as short ribs with corn souffles and branded espresso martinis. Attendees dressed for the occasion and fun facts about the historic building added to the sense of awe.
For the closing reception, Destination DC was back with Washington Hilton to stage a supper club that made everyone feel part of the in-crowd with sophisticated ‘60s attire in the International Ballroom, a space that has welcomed presidents and dignitaries from around the world. A speakeasy in the uber-secure space designed to protect commanders-in-chief added an intimate touch.
Demonstrate Unreasonable Gratitude
After Guidara outlined the philosophy he developed at Eleven Madison Park for creating wow moments by encouraging his team to be present with their guests, FICP put on a master class in the approach by thanking event co-chair and Lincoln Financial Vice President of Sponsorship, Events and Hospitality Meg D’Angelo in her love language with a video of her children telling her how much they admire her. No dry eyes were left.
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Turn Adversity into a Building Block
Meeting professionals faced with executing at the highest levels in the midst of uncertainty and a literal government shutdown, were encouraged by energetic entrepreneur, author and philanthropist Magie Cook.
Despite being born in an orphanage in Mexico and finding herself homeless after graduating from University of Charleston on a basketball scholarship, she ended up starting and selling a successful salsa company to Campbell for $231 million. That is when she went back to her small hometown to rescue children from sex trafficking and poverty and to talking to audiences of thousands about how to use adversity to unlock future identities.
