IAIABC 112th Convention
The Davenport Grand
333 West Spokane Falls BoulevardSpokane, WA 99201-0211
United States
About the IAIABC 112th Convention
The IAIABC Convention addresses the current policy, regulatory, and administrative challenges and opportunities affecting workers' compensation systems around the world through a combination of presentations, discussion forums, and roundtables.
The IAIABC Convention brings together more workers' compensation jurisdictional agency leaders than any other conference in North America.
Who Participates?
In 2025, over 260 people attended the IAIABC 111th Convention, including representatives from 41 jurisdictions. Attendees of the IAIABC Convention traditionally include:
- Jurisdictional regulators and administrators
- Government/regulatory affairs personnel
- Medical directors
- Insurers
- Claims administrators
- Attorneys
- Service providers
- Medical providers
- Administrative law judges
- ... and many more!
Thank You 2026 Sponsors
Agenda
- All times in Pacific Daylight Time.
- Times and meetings subject to change.
- All sessions are open to any Convention attendee unless otherwise indicated.
- All meetings will be available in-person only.
Sunday, September 27, 2026
The Board of Directors meet to discuss IAIABC strategy and governance.
Lunch Menu:
Soup: Tomato Bisque
Salads: Caprese, Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Basil, Balsamic (GF) and Spring Greens, Romaine, Chickpeas, Shaved Peppers, Lemon, Grated Parmesan
Dressings: Buttermilk Ranch, Apple Cider Vinaigrette (GF, V), Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF)
Sandwiches:
Assorted Turkey, Roast Beef, Ham, Vegetarian Mini Sandwiches, & Wraps
Herbed Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Dill Pickles
Bags of Local Chips
Desserts: Berry Cheesecake Tarts and Chocolate Panna Cotta Verrine (GF)
Monday, September 28, 2026
Menu:
Chilled Fruit Juices
House Made All Butter Croissants, Assorted Muffins, Danishes
Huckleberry Coffee Cake
Fresh Fruit, Seasonal Berries (GF, V)
Scrambled Eggs with Shredded Cheese (GF)
Smoked Bacon
Pork Sausage Links
Seasoned Hashbrowns
Menu:
Cougar Gold Cheese Tart
Tuna Crisp, Mango Salsa
Chimichurri Chicken Skewer
Charcuterie and Artisinal Cheese Display
Chef’s Selection of cured and dried meats and Artisanal American-Made Cheeses
Served with Assorted Crackers, Crispy Lavash Flat Bread, baguette, mustards, Assorted Fruit Chutneys, Assorted Nuts, Dried Fruit and Whole Grape
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Chilled Fruit Juices
House Made All Butter Croissants, Assorted Muffins**, Danishes
Sliced Breakfast Breads**
Fresh Fruit, Seasonal Berries (GF, V)
Huckleberry Coffee Cake**
Hard Boiled Eggs (GF)
Overnight Oats, Almond Butter**, Strawberry, Banana
Chilled Fruit Juices
House Made All Butter Croissants, Assorted Muffins, Danishes
Huckleberry Coffee Cake
Fresh Fruit, Seasonal Berries (GF, V)
Scrambled with Organic Spinach, Boursin Cheese (GF)
Smoked Bacon
Honey Cured Ham
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes, Herbs, Red Onions
Chilled Fruit Juices
House Made All Butter Croissants, Assorted Muffins, Danishes
Huckleberry Coffee Cake
Fresh Fruit, Seasonal Berries (GF, V)
Scrambled with Organic Spinach, Boursin Cheese (GF)
Smoked Bacon
Honey Cured Ham
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes, Herbs, Red Onions
Speaker: Heather Abbott, Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor & AmputeeJoin us for an unforgettable keynote with Heather Abbott, Boston Marathon bombing survivor, amputee advocate, and founder of the Heather Abbott Foundation. Heather will share her remarkable journey of trauma, resilience, and reinvention. Heather's story offers a powerful look at the profound, often unseen ways health care professionals shape the lives of trauma patients, as well as how her experience transformed her own leadership and approach to supporting employees with disabilities.
Menu:
Salad: Farm Green Salad Spinach, Arugula, Kale (GF, V) with Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF, V)
Entree: Pacific Chinook King Salmon, Couscous, Lemon Beurre Blanc
Dietary Restriction Meal: Quinoa, Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Tomatoes, Red Pepper Purée (GF, V)
Desserts: Lemon Meringue Tart, Chocolate Salted Caramel Cup (GF)
Paul LaClair, Principal Cybersecurity Consultant, Linea Solutions
Janet Cobb, SVP Medical Operations, Concentra
Huckleberry Lemonade
Pepsi Product Sodas
This session explores how the demographic characteristics of injured workers, the medical conditions that develop after an injury, and the treatments they receive all shape the duration of temporary disability and the time it takes to reach medical stability. These factors. and the resulting claim timelines. vary widely across jurisdictions. The session will evaluate the key relationships and time frames that drive claim resolution, highlighting how differences in medical utilization, co-morbidities, and aging‑related conditions influence outcomes. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of why some claims move quickly while others stall, and how emerging medical trends are reshaping recovery patterns.
Salmon Cake
Tomato Basil Mozzarella Skewer
Risotto Fritter
07:00 PM - 10:30 PM Social Event
First two drinks on the IAIABC, followed by a cash bar.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Menu:
Chilled Fruit Juices
House Made All Butter Croissants, Assorted Muffins, Danishes
Huckleberry Coffee Cake
Fresh Fruit, Seasonal Berries (GF, V)
Scrambled Eggs with Shredded Cheese (GF)
Smoked Bacon
Pork Sausage Links
Seasoned Hashbrowns
Members are invited to hear updates on the finances, membership, projects, and programs of the IAIABC. The 2026-2027 Board of Directors election will take place, and new leadership will be sworn in.
Workers’ compensation sits at the intersection of law, healthcare, insurance, and regulation, making it a difficult system to navigate, especially for injured workers. Regulators often serve as the bridge between parties, and clear, accessible communication is essential to ensuring workers understand the laws, processes, and resources intended to support them. This session will offer practical strategies for helping regulators communicate more effectively with injured workers, including making technical information understandable, creating content that serves diverse audiences, and improving the usability of agency websites. Drawing on the Colorado Education & Outreach team’s real‑world experience, the session highlights communication as a regulatory tool that can strengthen trust and build bridges across the system.
Solaiman Doza, Health Scientist, NIOSH
Steve Wurzelbacher, Manager for the Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies, NIOSH
Datasets do not exist in a vacuum, but rather always in context to other data sources. The session aims to inspire discussion on the role of data visualization in workers’ compensation, and how it can transform understanding and decision-making. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies (CWCS) focuses on expanding the use of state-level workers' compensation claims data for research and prevention and encouraging collaborations between the public health and WC communities. Attendees will see examples of CWCS’s interactive visualization projects, learn how partnerships enhance the context and value of workers' compensation data, and discover resources to support their own visualization needs.
Alan Rook, Senior Clinical Account Executive, MyMatrixx by Evernorth
Lisa Anne Hurt-Forsythe, Vice President of Government Affairs, AAPAN
Topical medications are often perceived as low risk, routine therapies, but in workers’ compensation, they’ve become a growing source of cost volatility and regulatory scrutiny. This panel will highlight where topical spending is most volatile, review recent legislative and regulatory actions, and outline practical strategies for managing utilization without compromising care. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of why topical costs spike and what best practices can help keep programs sustainable.
Soup: Clam Chowder
Salads: Caesar Salad, Romaine, Olive Oil Croutons, Shredded Parmesan, Caesar Dressing or Caprese Salad, Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Basil, Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF)
Entrées: Flat Iron steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Port Wine Demi (GF) or Pacific King Salmon, Sunrise Potato Medley, Garlic Cream Sauce (GF)
Side: Seasonal Vegetables (GF, V)
Desserts: Chocolate Salted Caramel Cup (GF) or Berry Cheesecake Tarts
For more than 20 years, the Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries has partnered with healthcare organizations to improve outcomes for injured workers through practical, evidence‑informed best‑practice programs. In this session, you’ll hear directly from a panel of participating healthcare partners about how these programs have evolved since the early 2000s and how they continue to build bridges between providers, employers, and the workers’ compensation system. Panelists will share lessons learned and explore what sustained partnership looks like in practice.
Hear from regulatory EDI leaders on changes and challenges in data reporting. The updates shared provide essential information for reporters to plan and prepare for future jurisdictional requirements. A giveaway sponsored by Verisk will take place during this session.
Guest Passes
Do you have a spouse, friend, or other family member that would like to attend social events at the IAIABC 112th Convention?
Purchase a guest pass for $100 that will allow your guest to join you at the Happy Hour, President's Reception, and Wednesday's Social Event during the Convention. Only guests with paid tickets and badges will be allowed access to social events.
Registered attendees do not need to purchase.
Purchase a Guest Pass
Location
The IAIABC 112th Convention will take place in-person only in Spokane, Washington.
Conference Hotel
The Davenport Grand
333 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: +1 (509) 458-3330
The IAIABC has secured a discounted rate of $219 per night plus taxes and fees at the conference hotel the Davenport Grand. This rate is available until September 4 or when sold out.
On the webpage, to view rooms with a checkout of October 1 or later select "Check Availability," then you'll see "October" as an option once viewing room options.
Book Your Room
Southwest Airline Discount
Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer the IAIABC 112th Convention attendees discounted fares. To utilize the discount, book via SWABIZ® using the link below. Discount valid for travel 9/23/2026 to 10/4/2026.
Book Through Southwest
Parking
Current parking rates are $28 per night for self-parking located on the corner of Washington and Riverside Avenue. Valet parking is available for $35 per night located off Spokane Falls Blvd at the main entrance. Rates are subject to change.
Airport
The closest airport to the hotel is the Spokane International Airport (GEG), approximately 12 minutes (about 7.7 miles) from the hotel.
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Speaker Discounted Rate
Registration Ends 9/30/26 at 1:00 AM PDT
|
$575.00 |
For More Information:
Future IAIABC Convention Dates and Locations
IAIABC 113th Convention
September 20-22, 2027
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
IAIABC 114th Convention
September 26-27, 2028
St. Louis, Missouri
Hyatt Regency St. Louis Arch