NetVU Accelerate 2026: Industry Innovation, Smart AI, and One Very Good Boy

The WebCE team headed to Las Vegas for NetVU Accelerate by Vertafore 2026, and the conversations, connections, and insights did not disappoint. Attending on behalf of WebCE, we were proud to spotlight EXCEED video learning, our modern training solution designed specifically for insurance professionals.

Where EXCEED Video Learning Fits

One of the most meaningful takeaways from this year’s conference was just how relevant video-based insurance education has become for today’s workforce—especially for virtual assistant (VA) teams. We had valuable conversations with VA-focused exhibitors and firms supporting near‑shore and off‑shore teams.

EXCEED’s concept‑based video learning spans commercial, personal lines, employee benefits, adjuster topics, and more, helping learners build knowledge and confidence in insurance terminology, coverage, and concepts. 

NetVU Accelerate was ripe with virtual assistant exhibitors. Providing VAs with insurance education doesn’t just improve efficiency, it also positions VA firms as knowledgeable partners in the lines of business that matter most to their prospective clients. Video-based learning brings clarity, repetition, and real‑world verbal context that text alone often can’t deliver. 

But let’s not forget the technology exhibitors. While technology professionals are geniuses in their space, they also need to know a little insurance terminology and how to use it to be effective in their delivery. There’s nothing worse than when great technology is presented by someone who misses the mark.

A Standout Session: Human-First Service with AI

A highlight session, Human‑First Service with AI, featured Ashley Kelley (Vertafore), Donya Dennard (Brown & Brown), Crystal Darling (ReSource Pro), and Jamie Peers (Entrinsik). The message was clear: AI should support—not replace—the human experience. While AI can reduce repetitive tasks and ensure communications don’t fall through the cracks, it can’t replicate the personal connection insurance clients deserve.

Oh, and we shouldn’t fail to mention this year’s keynote speaker, Daymond John. While John seems to be making the rounds at insurance conferences, his inspiring messages always hit just where they need to for each attendee. One of this most resonant: failures don't define you, being trustworthy does.

Best of Show

So much happened at the show, so here's a rundown of the conference highlights.

Show Stopping Booth

Applied Underwriters stole attention with their towering St. Bernard and the mystery swag boxes everyone was buzzing about pre‑show. After only fifteen minutes of the first exhibitor show, there was no shortage of St. Bernard footwear, headwear, golf gear, and more running wild about the conference floor. The St. Bernard was chosen for its characteristics of strength, dependability, intelligence, and diligence.

Best Conversation

With nothing to sell and everything to observe, Chris Cook from Rough Notes offered a refreshing perspective at NetVU. We agreed that the industry must move past flashy AI buzzwords and focus instead on a clear, honest definition of AI and where it is used within workflows.

Booth after booth, session after session highlighted “AI” but, he asked the crowd, what exactly do YOU mean? How exactly do YOU use AI? What EXACTLY is the difference between you and your competition?

His takeaway? You won’t have to work so hard to sell a product when the product can clearly speak for itself.

Best Swag EVER

Eventual sponsored the puppy cuddle station, which featured the Vegas Roots Rescue, wins all awards for best conference swag. Four puppies took the show by storm, but one—Steve—changed everything.

But, Dustyne, how are puppies swag? 

Within minutes of meeting “Steve,” I was signing adoption papers, ordering supplies, updating airline plans, and planning our journey home from Las Vegas to Arkansas. Formerly Steve, puppy boy is now Archibald Bleau.

Some swag just sticks with you, and, apparently, not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Room for Improvement

AI was everywhere, often offering very similar solutions. Many attendees shared hesitation around adoption risk, ramp‑up time, and the challenge of evaluating and testing look‑alike solutions when their time is already in short supply.

I believe the conference could help attendees a little by grouping similar AI vendors into zones, potentially making on-the-spot tool comparisons easier and enabling them to leverage the knowledge within each zone.

EXCEED: Learn More

If there's one takeaway from NetVu Accelerate 2026, it's the importance of video-based insurance education. Access to knowledge not only improves efficiency, but positions you as a trusted source when and where it matters most.

Find out how EXCEED's video-based insurance education can support your team. EXCEED is ideal for 1–2 year professionals ramping up, non‑licensed agency staff, internship programs, virtual assistant teams, insurance technology start-ups, and more.