Innovative Captive Strategies

Our Employee Benefits team recently welcomed more than 20 top-performing agency partners, including members of C2 Solutions, to Des Moines for two Broker Forum sessions. Built around real challenges and practical strategy, the forums brought sales and service teams together for a closer look at how the ICS model works day to day.

These conversations help strengthen understanding, sharpen strategy, and create better outcomes for everyone involved. Because at ICS, our broker partnerships go deeper than placement. They are built on collaboration, transparency, and shared success.

Another Do Birdies Boldly Golf Outing is officially in the books!

The day was filled with plenty of laughs, great team bonding, incredible shots and a few that are probably better left unmentioned.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the course and helped make the day such a fun one. We are already looking forward to teeing it up again next year!

Until then, keep swinging boldly!

A lot of work goes into creating a great meeting experience, and our Event Management team has been busy making it happen.

Through the first half of 2026, the team has operated 47 meetings, welcomed more than 3,845 attendees, traveled across familiar and brand-new destinations, and continued improving the behind-the-scenes processes that keep events running smoothly.

From board meetings and Risk Control Workshops to member meetings and broker events, we’re grateful for the team members and partners who help make every event possible.

Here’s a look behind the meetings!

Safety culture is only as strong as the communication behind it. For Cedar Valley Steel, that meant addressing one of the most critical gaps in workplace safety: getting employees to speak up and leaders to truly listen.

Through their Speak Up, Listen Up program, Cedar Valley Steel Inc. created a cultural shift that has strengthened trust, increased hazard reporting, and contributed to a roughly 25% reduction in safety incidents across their organization.

This is innovation that goes beyond equipment and processes, reaching the people at the heart of the work. Congratulations to Cedar Valley Steel on winning Four Corners Construction Group, Ltd.'s 2026 Innovator Award!

Congratulations to RDJE, Inc., Fusion Group, Ltd.’s 2026 Innovator Award winner!

RDJE was recognized for PROJECT SafeDig, an initiative designed to strengthen trench safety, emergency preparedness, and operator training through hands-on learning and technology-enabled development.

By partnering with the local fire department for live trench rescue exercises and introducing heavy equipment simulator training, RDJE is helping employees build real-world awareness, confidence, and safer jobsite habits before high-risk situations happen in the field.

This is a great example of innovation in action: investing in people, improving preparedness, and reinforcing a safety-first culture.

Innovation does not always mean creating something new from scratch. Sometimes, it means recognizing where a safer solution already exists, and taking action to put it in place.

For Humphrey Company, Ltd., that meant addressing bandsaw safety by revising company standards and investing in updated technology designed to help reduce unsafe practices. The new bandsaw features dual-trigger safety controls, requiring both hands to operate the tool and helping keep employees’ hands away from the blade while it is engaged.

This initiative is a strong example of practical safety innovation: identifying risk, improving the process, and giving employees better tools to do their work safely.

Congratulations Humphrey Company, Ltd. on winning Elevation Group, Ltd.'s 2026 Innovator Award!

Design Mechanical Inc was recognized for its employee engagement and retention initiative focused on strengthening the field employee experience during The Heartland Group's 2026 Innovator Awards.

By listening directly to new hires and field employees, their team identified opportunities to improve onboarding, technology training, communication, and access to resources. From there, they redesigned their onboarding process, created a comprehensive New Hire Field Book, and launched engagement and safety surveys to ensure employees have a voice beyond their first day on the job.

The result is a stronger support system that helps employees feel prepared, connected, and valued from the start.

Congratulations to Design Mechanical, Inc. on this well-deserved recognition and for leading with a people-first approach to innovation.

In honor of National Safety Month, we’re proud to highlight TW Frierson Contractor, Inc., the recipient of Generations Group Innovator Award.

Their submission showcased a thoughtful and intentional approach to safety, one that empowers employees, strengthens communication, supports mental health and well-being, and uses technology to help identify risks before they become incidents.

With “Safety on Purpose” at the center of their efforts, T.W. Frierson is proving that safety is more than a requirement. It is a culture, a commitment and a foundation for people to thrive.