Welcome!

The CIS Annual Conference brings leaders from across Oregon to discover “best practices” related to employee benefits, risk management, pre-loss and more. As a public, not-for-profit trust, we know your work reducing risk can benefit your entity and the entire pool. All of CIS’ sessions are planned with this in mind. The CIS Conference also brings us together to network with innovators as well as those who can make sense of complex challenges. 

Our 24th Annual Conference will be a fully hybrid event, combining our live in-person event with a virtual online component. All of our sessions will be streamed live to our virtual audience. 

What to Expect

Join us for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration as CIS members and partners come together to share best practices, explore emerging risks, and strengthen our communities. Whether you're new to CIS or a seasoned participant, there’s something for everyone.

Wednesday: Public Safety & Small Members Tracks
Wednesday kicks off with two specialized in-person tracks:

• Public Safety Track: Designed for law enforcement, fire, corrections, and emergency response leaders. Sessions will explore critical incident response, defensive tactics, fitness for duty exams, leadership alignment strategies, and more.
• Small Members Track: Tailored for Oregon’s smaller municipalities. We'll cover CIS essentials, foundational risk management, employment risk services, navigating claims, cybersecurity basics, and benefits administration — all designed to help you get the most from your CIS membership.

Thursday & Friday: Breakout Sessions for All Tracks
Thursday and Friday will feature a full slate of breakout sessions on HR and pre-loss, benefits, risk management, and legal topics. 

Here are some additional sessions we have planned and check out the full agenda here. 

• Life of a Claim: From Tort Notice to Jury Verdict
• Cybersecurity: Current Threat Assessment, Hot Issues, and Where to Invest Resources
• 2026 Case Law/Legal Updates
• Recruitment 101: Let Us Start at the Beginning!
• Potholes and Pitfalls: Navigating Liability in Public Works

• Leave & Accommodations 101: What Every Employer Should Know
• Canopy Coverage for Life Changes, Challenges, and Chapters
• Volunteer Program Boot Camp
• Documentation 101: Writing Workshop for Workplace Leaders

• Lessons Learned from Recent Disaster Events by Oregon's County Emergency Managers
• Safety Committee Makeover: Smart Tools, Fun-Fueled, Real Impact
• Progressive Discipline 101: Up to and Including Termination

2026 Keynote Speakers

Three days. Three keynote speakers. Unlimited inspiration.

 Each morning, start your day with powerful insights from nationally recognized thought leaders who will challenge, energize, and inspire you to lead and live with purpose.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25

Joelle Moray

Beyond Burnout: Why We Struggle to Slow Down and How Recovery Fuels Focus, Energy, and Safety

High-performing professionals don’t burn out because they care too little—they burn out because they recover too little. With humor, science, and practical tools, Joelle Moray unpacks why slowing down feels so hard and why many of us feel guilty when we do. You’ll learn how to shift the nervous system patterns that drive constant urgency to create calmer, safer, and more effective workplaces.

THURSDAY, FEB. 26

Laura Putnam

Together We Thrive: How to Create a Culture of Wellbeing for Everyone, by Everyone

We’ve been told it’s up to us—but if our environment is unhealthy, we will be too. Laura Putnam exposes the systemic barriers to wellbeing and reveals how teams and organizations can reclaim it together. She’ll show why wellness programs often fail, how culture quietly shapes behavior, and what it takes to build workplaces where people don’t just survive, but thrive.

FRIDAY, FEB. 27

Hoan Do

The Art of Connecting

Effective leaders and teams forge meaningful connections that drive trust, motivation, and high performance. In this engaging and interactive session, Hoan Do shares strategies to:

• Strengthen communication and collaboration
• Cultivate trust and psychological safety
• Engage teams for sustained success

Conference Countdown