Every summer, the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) hosts one of the most influential events in the captive industry. This year’s 40th Anniversary Conference in Burlington brought together a record number of captive professionals, regulators, and service providers to reflect on the industry’s evolution — and chart a course for its future. Here are some popular topics discussed this year.

1) Risk Dynamics & Strategic Innovation

Captives must increasingly address risks like social inflation, cyber threats, and volatile economic trends. VCIA delivered cutting-edge insights through sessions that equip professionals to adapt and thrive in uncertain environments.

– Climate Transition, Increasing Volatility, and the Role of Captives – Explored how captives are responding to shifting climate-related exposures and market turbulence.

– Unpacking the Impact of Covid, Inflation, and Social Trends – Examined how macroeconomic and societal shifts are influencing captive performance.

– PFAS: Everyone Has Exposure — Understanding the Complexities – Delved into evolving environmental liabilities and how captives are navigating emerging pollutant risks.

2) Regulation, Taxation & Captive Structure

Keeping abreast of regulatory requirements, tax strategies, and structural changes is foundational for captive resilience. This year’s VCIA sessions offered clarity, tools, and frameworks for crafting compliant and robust captive programs.

– Captive Tax 101 – Introduced key income tax considerations for captives, from capitalization requirements to parental guarantee.

– Surviving a High‑Risk Verdict Venue – the Toolbox You and Your RRG Need (A Case Study) – Offered a real-world look at tactics for managing venue risk and structuring risk retention groups effectively.

– Captive Examination Deep Dive – Presented a detailed, case-based walkthrough of Vermont’s captive examination process, led by DFR leadership.

3) Leadership, Culture & Captive Ecosystem

With 40 years under its belt, VCIA continues to invest in the next generation of industry stewards and deepen community ties—emphasizing inclusion, mentorship, and collaboration as they build toward the future.

– Captive Immersion – A foundational, full-day workshop led by Vermont DFR, designed to onboard newcomers with a comprehensive look at formation, regulation, and operations.

– Risk Manager Round-Robin: Captive Evolution – Offered interactive discussions on how captive programs are evolving in response to changing organizational needs.

– Transforming Your Captive – Mergers, Re‑Domestications and Conversions – Highlighted strategic options for managing captive growth and lifecycle through structural transformation.

VCIA 2025 delivered a meaningful blend of education, strategy, and community. As the largest captive domicile in the world, Vermont continues to set the standard for innovation and oversight, and having a strong platform like the VCIA Conference to showcase that leadership is essential. Whether you’re launching your first captive or optimizing a mature program, VCIA remains one of the most valuable gatherings to learn, connect, and help shape the future of the industry. We’re already looking forward to VCIA 2026!