New Zealand brokers will have another intensive two days of learning and networking next week as the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ) hosts its second successive annual “Propel” conference in Auckland.

CEO Gary Young says he’s hoping for a repeat of last year’s record turnout of some 800 professionals when this year’s event is held at the city’s SkyCity complex on July 13-15.

The conference is built around two days of workshops and seminars, with multiple streams of interactive sessions.

“Power sessions” will mark the beginning and end of each day’s conference events, with speakers “who are outstanding in their fields”. They include new Financial Markets Authority Chairman Sean Hughes, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Australian rugby writer and author Peter Fitzsimons.

Special sessions are also planned for “emerging professionals” and 26 topics will be covered over the two days.

Mr Young says flexible registration options are being offered again to attract the maximum possible number of delegates, and the exhibition area has been planned to accommodate the large number of exhibitors and visitors.

Evening entertainment will include an opening function on July 13, a function at Auckland’s Rugby World Cup centre, Eden Park the following evening and a final-night gala dinner themed around “a night at the circus”.