01/01/2026
Happy New Year from BWI!
We’re kicking off 2026 with two major leadership promotions and the biggest national event schedule in our company’s 49-year history.
Last year, our team crossed 10,000 customers, strengthened our systems, expanded our team, and laid the foundation for the future of aviation insurance.
This year, we’re taking an even bigger step forward.
Today, we are proud to announce:
Kristen Suarez: Promoted to Chief Operating Officer
Kristen steps into the COO role after nine years of outstanding service and leadership at BWI.
From operations to training to process development, Kristen has touched nearly every part of our organization, and improved each one.
She also serves on the Aviation Insurance Association Education Committee and was elected Director of the Agent/Broker Division (2024), reflecting her impact across the industry.
We are incredibly proud to welcome Kristen into this new chapter of leadership.
Ryan Ammerman: Promoted to Sales Manager
Ryan brings deep aviation insurance expertise and a proven track record of helping aircraft owners, operators, flight schools, and commercial aviation businesses secure the right coverage.
His commitment to clarity, responsiveness, and long-term client relationships makes him the perfect leader for our national sales team in 2026 and beyond.
BWI Returns to the Aviation Community in 2026: 12 Major Events Nationwide
In 2025, BWI intentionally stepped back from tradeshows to focus on internal improvements.
In 2026, we’re excited to get back to the aviation community!
We’re hitting the road, and the runway, to meet our customers, underwriters, drone professionals, and aviation partners in person.
Here’s where you’ll see us this year:
1. Alaska Air Carriers Convention — Anchorage, AK — Feb 4–6
2. AOPA Fly-In — Buckeye, AZ — Feb 13–15
3. HAI Heli-Expo / Verticon — Atlanta, GA — Mar 9–12
4. Women in Aviation — Dallas, TX — Mar 19–21
5. Sun ’n Fun — Lakeland, FL — Apr 14–19
6. Great Alaska Aviation Gathering — Palmer, AK — May 2–4
7. Aviation Insurance Association Conference — Dallas, TX — May 4–7
8. AUVSI XPONENTIAL (Drone Expo) — Denver, CO — May 11–14
9. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — Oshkosh, WI — Jul 20–26
10. Commercial UAV Expo — Las Vegas, NV — Sept 1–3
11. Cirrus Migration — San Antonio, TX — Sept 17–19
12. NBAA — Las Vegas, NV — Oct 20–22
If you’re attending any of these events, come meet the BWI team.
We cannot wait to connect with the aviation community face-to-face again.
2026: The Most Exciting Year in BWI History
This year will include:
• Launching our new Commercial Aviation Insurance Division
• Major service and renewal system upgrades
• Breakthrough AI-powered tools inside iFlyQuote
• New automation across BWI’s internal platforms
• Expanded educational content & customer resources
• The largest marketing & community presence we’ve ever built
BWI enters 2026 with momentum, clarity, and a mission:
to build the best aviation insurance agency on planet Earth.
THANK YOU to our customers, underwriters, partners, and the aviation community for supporting BWI’s growth and evolution.
Here’s to an incredible year ahead.
We’ll see you in the skies, and at events across the country.
The BWI Aviation Insurance Team