NAW Risk Managers Forum 2026
Powered by Gallagher
Date: October 13-14, 2026
Location: Gallagher Way Offices at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Where Distribution Risk Leaders Get Ahead
The business of distribution is evolving, and so are the risks. Rising litigation and product liability exposure, cyber threats, extreme weather events, workforce challenges, supply chain volatility, and the growing complexity of protecting enterprise value are reshaping how distributors operate. Todayโs risk environment demands sharper foresight and stronger strategies.
The NAW Risk Managers Forum Powered by Gallagher brings together seniorโlevel distribution executives for a highly focused, executiveโlevel experience built specifically for leaders responsible for enterprise risk, insurance, P&C strategy, safety, compliance, legal exposure, and overall business resilience.
This forum is shaped by two organizations deeply committed to the wholesale distribution industry:
- NAW, the voice of wholesale distribution and a convener of senior leaders across the channel
- Gallagher, NAWโs exclusive insurance partner, bringing innovative property & casualty solutions, benefits expertise, and industryโspecific insight to distributors navigating a fastโchanging risk landscape
Together, NAW and Gallagher deliver a forum designed to move beyond theory and into practical, peerโtested strategies for protecting the business.
Why 
Matters
Gallagherโs involvement makes this experience uniquely relevant for distribution leaders. Gallagher understands the realities of wholesale distributionโtight margins, operational complexity, and the risks created by rapid technological change. Their expertise spans property and casualty insurance, alternative risk financing, and comprehensive risk management programs tailored to commercial and industrial organizations. Attendees can expect:
- A current view of the risk and insurance market
- Insight into emerging threats facing large distributors
- Expertise in P&C strategy, risk financing, and enterprise protection
- Practical guidance for reducing total cost of risk and strengthening resilience
Event Cost
There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required.
Why Attend?
Peer-level networking
Connect with fellow senior executives from leading distribution companies managing risk across complex, multi-site, multi-state operations.
Distribution-specific conversations
This is not a generic insurance event. It is a focused forum for wholesale distribution leaders navigating fleet exposure, facility risk, cyber threats, legal pressure, insurance costs, workforce safety, and operational disruption.
Powered by a trusted NAW partner
Because the event is powered by Gallagher, discussions are grounded in real market intelligence and informed by one of NAWโs most established strategic business solution relationships.
Actionable takeaways
Walk away with practical ideas, market perspective, and peer insight you can apply immediatelyโwhether refining insurance strategy, managing claims trends, strengthening internal controls, or preparing for the next major risk challenge.
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for seniorโlevel distribution executives:
Who are responsible for:
- Treasury, Compliance, and Safety Leaders
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Property & Casualty Insurance
- Safety and Loss Prevention
- Legal and Compliance
- Treasury and Finance
- Corporate Governance and Business Resilience
Ideal attendees include:
- Chief Financial Officers
- Chief Legal Officers / General Counsel
- Chief Risk Officers
- Vice Presidents of Risk Management
- Directors of Risk and Insurance
A Forum Built for the Right Room
The NAW Risk Managers Forum brings together leaders who share similar responsibilities, pressures, and questions:
- What risks are accelerating fastest?
- Where is the insurance market moving?
- How are peers thinking about cyber, liability, workforce, and operational exposure?
- What strategies are actually working inside large distribution enterprises?
This is a room built for honest conversation, practical learning, and highโvalue connect
What to Expect
- A fun, energetic, businessโfocused environment at Gallagher Way in Chicago
- Highโlevel peerโtoโpeer networking
- Distributorโfocused roundtable discussions
- General sessions on targeted risk and insurance topics
- Thoughtful dialogue with fellow executives and subjectโmatter experts
Bring Your Network
This event becomes even more valuable when you bring your peers. Invite fellow executives who lead risk, insurance, legal, finance, compliance, or safety within distribution companies. A stronger room elevates the conversation for everyone.
Previous Attendees Include:
Networking opportunities are a critical element to attending events. Here’s a brief list of past attending companies to get you excited about the connections to be made.
ABC Supply Company
ADI Global Distribution
AmeriGas
Belknap White
Benco Dental Co.
Ben E Keith Co
Border States
Breakthru Beverage Group
Central National Gottesman Inc
City Electric Supply
Composites One LLC
Consolidated Electrical Distributors Inc
Core & Main
Crescent Electric Supply Co.
Do it Best Corp.
Dot Foods, Inc.
Envoy Solutions
Ellsworth Corporation
Ferguson Enterprises, LLC
Global Industrial, Inc.
Grainger
Graybar Electric
Hajoca Corp
Ingram Content Group
IEWC
Johnstone Supply
Lansing Building Products
MRC Global
Neuco Inc
OmniCable
Orgill
PACE Supply Corp.
Patterson Companies
Reyes Holdings LLC
Richards building Supply Co
S.P. Richards
Shorr Packaging Corp
Specialty Building Products
SRS Distribution
The Kendall Group
TopBuild Corporation
TTI
Uline
Vallen North America
Valley Coorperative Association
WESCO
Winsupply Inc
Wilbur Ellis
This Event Powered by:
Cancellation Policy
Any cancelation received 120 days prior to the start date of this event will be refunded 100%. Cancellations received between 120 and 30 days before the start date of this event will be held as a credit that your organization can apply to any event registration fee for employees of the same company for 18 months from the cancelation date. Any cancellations closer to an event than 30 days will not be eligible to receive a credit. All cancellations must be sent to [email protected] for processing. Any credits unused after 18 months from the cancelation date will be written off.
