Consultative Selling • Selling Self-Funding • Selling Executives in the C-Suite • Healthcare Supply Chain
Your journey starts at the ASCEND Conference. Connect with hundreds of like-minded peers, all committed to one goal: mastering the Toolset, Skillset, and Mindset essential to growing your business and dominating your market.
Why Attend ASCEND?
REASON #1
It’s your opportunity to benefit from our:
of leading the disruptive self-funded movement
of training the best and most recognized and successful brokers
anniversary special price to attend ASCEND
REASON #2
Be part of our community…
Connect with top experts and like-minded professionals.
Gain exclusive insights into the fast-growing self-funded movement.
Learn actionable strategies to build a stable, profitable business.
Another Reason to Attend ASCEND:
REASON #3
The Industry is Changing… Stay Ahead at ASCEND
Insurance carriers are under more scrutiny than ever. Rising out of control costs in fully insured plans and spotty quality from the major carriers have fueled the shift toward self-funding. Recent Headlines:
Are you taking advantage of this headlines to differentiate yourself?
At ASCEND, learn to take current events and build credibility with business owners and executives to powerfully differentiate yourself from your commoditized competitors.
Another Reason to Attend ASCEND:
REASON #4
The broker role is changing. Top brokers are becoming consultative. Are you prepared?
Brokers focus only on the health plan.
Health Focus
Consultants focus on the health plan's impact on the company's business objectives.
Brokers build transactional relationships by selling a commodity to HR.
Relationship Building
Consultants build long-term business relationships with owners and executives.
Brokers are at the mercy of carrier renewal decisions.
Renewal Strategy
Consultants manage the healthcare supply chain to control and lower costs.
Why put the time and energy to become consultative?
Differentiate yourself from transactional competitors
Engage and close C-Suite executives
Become the trusted adviser
Who are you? Who would you rather be?
Is this the impact you’re looking for?
Ashley Hughes
Swift Kennedy and Associates
Chris Wolpert
GBS Consulting
Dan LaBroad
Ovation Life & Health
Another Reason to Attend ASCEND:
REASON #5
Roaring 2020’s Cocktail Reception & Gala Dinner
Step back in time to the glamorous 1920s at our Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner on July 9th!
Join us for an evening filled with jazz, elegance, and classic cocktails. Feel free to embrace the Roaring Twenties by dressing in your finest flapper dresses, tuxedos, and sharp suits. Ladies, think sequins, pearls, and feathered headbands, while gents can sport tailored suits, bow ties, and fedoras. It’s the perfect opportunity to channel the glitz and glamour of this iconic era—let's make it a night to remember!
(If you arrive in at least business casual attire, we’ll be glad to have you!)
The ASCEND Advantage can be yours
What You Get at ASCEND...
The Toolkit for Success
NextGen Benefits Field Manual
One of the most important references you will ever need curated by Nelson Griswold founder of NextGen Benefits
Only ASCEND Equips You With...
Consultative Selling
Selling Self-Funding
Selling Executives in the C-Suite
Healthcare Supply Chain
Toolset
The NextGen TOOLSET includes:
- Self-funding strategies and techniques.
- Cost containment tools to manage the healthcare supply change.
- NextGen solution providers who do the work of cost containment.
- NextGen plan docs and consulting agreements.
Skillset
The NextGen SKILLSET includes:
- How to implement a self-funded plan and manage the supply chain.
- Consultative selling skills. The ability to get into the C-Suite.
- Being able to speak the language of the C-Suite.
- Most important, the skills needed to have an effective financial & strategic conversation with the CEO and/or CFO.
Mindset
The NextGen MINDSET requires moving from...
- Thinking you're in insurance...
to understanding you're in healthcare - A transactional broker mindset... to a consultative adviser mindset.
- Thinking your place is in HR... to knowing you belong in the C-Suite.
- Knowing you can't help your client... to knowing you can improve the quality of healthcare while lowering costs.
NextGen Advisers put employers’ healthcare overspend back on their balance sheet with NextGen health plan strategies.
Imagine delivering refund checks like these to your employer clients.
Look Who Develop or Sharpened their Skillset at ASCEND
We celebrate the outstanding achievements of our members who have made a significant impact in the self-funding industry.
Join our community and be part of the next generation of industry leaders.
Speakers
Industry pioneers and experts will take the stage to share their insights. Stay tuned for our full lineup of speakers! Click on each name to view their bio and session details.
Nelson Griswold
Founder & President, NextGen Benefits
Nelson Griswold
Founder & President, NextGen Benefits
Nelson Griswold
Founder & President, NextGen Benefits
Nelson Griswold
Founder & President, NextGen Benefits
About Your Host
Nelson Griswold
Co-Founder & Chairman of ASCEND
A controversial and disruptive healthcare visionary, Nelson Griswold has an impressive track record of educating benefits advisers on the cutting-edge trends, techniques, and tools that grow their business by helping their clients provide higher-quality healthcare that’s affordable and sustainable.
As the prime architect of the NextGen Benefits model that is disrupting employer-sponsored healthcare in the U.S., Nelson was invited to participate in a high-level meeting of disruptive entrepreneurs from around the globe hosted by the legendary Sir Richard Branson on his private island in the British Virgin Islands.
He is founder and director of the renowned NextGen Benefits Mastermind Partnership, a nationwide alliance of leaders of top independent healthcare advisory and consulting firms with a 10-year history of collaboration and innovation.
Nelson dancing the “Flamingo” with Sir Richard Branson in Pink Flamingo costumes while visiting his private island in the British Virgin Islands for an invitation-only gathering of disruptive entrepreneurs.
Hotel Information
As ASCEND 2025 will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, you are welcome to stay at any hotel you choose. We will not have a host hotel this year. You can find a list of hotels in the area by clicking here. The three closest hotels to the convention center are the Marriott City Creek, Hyatt Regency and Radisson.
Frequently Asked Questions
A premier event for mastering self-funding strategies and building a successful benefits consulting practice.
Brokers, consultants, and business owners looking to optimize employee benefits.
Click here to secure your spot!
Don’t Miss Out on the Future of Employee Benefits
Register now and take control of your benefits consulting career.
©2025, NextGen
Company
Legal
Contact
Location: 101 Creekside Crossing, Ste. 1700 Brentwood, TN, 37027
Phone: 615.369.0618
Email: Info@NextGenBenefits.com
Website Design by YourFunnelSuite