I'm fortunate that my job allows me to attend various benefits conferences and health care conventions where I hear from leading experts, meet the many great people who make up our industry and yes, visit some wonderful locations. But it's always nice when an opportunity pops up in my own backyard.

This month, I'm writing my column from the Colorado Business Group on Health's 11th Annual Colorado Culture of Health and Wellbeing, a “premier conference designed for employers, wellness managers and other health professionals who work to improve all facets of employee health.”

Like many of you, I spend a significant portion of my time studying and reading about the industry via news reports, white papers, analyses and industry publications. But nothing matches a live event when it comes to putting your finger on the pulse of what's happening in our industry.

As I wrote last month, it's been impossible to ignore the excitement and optimism at the broker/consultant events I've attended recently. In the weeks since the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, my inbox and social media feeds have been flooded with kudos about the show along with questions and suggestions for next year. It's gratifying to be involved in an industry that's so fired up and tuned in.

And as I walk around this CBGH event in Denver, I'm seeing something that should make every benefits consultant excited: room after room full of employers who are searching for answers. Topics include some of the usual suspects, like wellness and health literacy, but guess what else is on the agenda? Data innovation, health care concierge services, and reference-based pricing. Sessions where benefits consultants, HR professionals and members of the C-Suite are sharing case studies and openly discussing the successes and challenges they've faced while instituting solutions such as direct primary care and specialty drug plans utilizing data analytics and continuous-improvement care models. And believe me, the audience is paying attention and taking pages of notes.

Change is hard—especially at the scale and speed that your clients are facing. But they want your help. As Nolan Waterfall says in this month's Face of Change column, “There's a lot of fear around alternatives. A lot of employers we talk to say, 'No, let's just renew.' They just want to get on with their business.” But when it comes to adoption of these innovations, “it's absolutely the future; it's only a matter of time,” he says.

As we're witnessing each day, every question, thoughtful answer, spirited debate and collaborative discussion is bringing that future a little closer.

Instant Insights /

A sight to see: employers are searching for answers

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