Register for Evolve 2026

Empyrean at 20: The Next Era of Benefits Experience

As we celebrate 20 years of Empyrean, EVOLVE26 invites you to look ahead to the next era of the benefits experience – one shaped by evolving employee expectations and the growing impact of technology on how people connect with and use their benefits. Together, we’ll explore actionable strategies on how health and wellness programs are delivered and experienced by your people.

EVOLVE26 will focus on what’s next: navigating a changing benefits landscape, enhancing employee engagement, and driving meaningful results from your programs. Through dynamic sessions and expert-led conversations, we’ll examine how technology, data, and a people-focused approach can come together to deliver stronger outcomes.

Join us at Empyrean’s milestone event to explore the future of benefits. Gain insights into emerging trends, connect with peers in similar industries, and uncover strategies to build lasting value, loyalty, and resilience across your workforce.

April 21st, 2026

9:00am-4:00pm: Registration

1:00pm-4:00pm: Welcome Activities

Taste Little Havana Food Tour
Relax at poolside cabana
Superblue Miami immersive Art Exhibit
Small Group Cooking Class - Blade

5:30pm-9:00pm: Welcome Reception & Dinner (Fontainebleau – Tropez Lawn)
An outdoor welcome reception featuring live music and a vibrant Miami-inspired celebration with cocktails and dinner

April 22nd, 2026

A full conference day filled with engaging sessions, an inspiring keynote, interactive breakouts, and valuable networking opportunities.

6:30am-7:00am: Beach Walk
A lively morning beach walk to kick off the Evolve conference with fresh ocean air, sunrise views and great energy to start the day.

7:30am-8:30am: Breakfast and Networking

8:30am-9:45am: Opening Keynote: Connected Leadership for the Next Era of Benefits (Collette Carlson, Fontainebleau – Fontaine)
As Empyrean celebrates 20 years of innovation, we look ahead to the evolving future of benefits in a world shaped by advancing technology and rising employee expectations. In her keynote, Connected Leadership for the Next Era of Benefits, Colette will share why the future isn’t just digital—it’s deeply human.

In an era defined by rapid change, hybrid work, and generational diversity, Colette will reveal how today’s most impactful leaders succeed by blending digital transformation with genuine human connection. Rooted in neuroscience and real-world strategies, her Human Edge™ of Leadership framework equips leaders with the essential skills to foster trust, belonging, and performance in today’s complex workplace.

Through her signature humor, storytelling, and research-backed insights, Colette will share actionable tools to:
🧠 Build emotional agility to navigate change and create resilient team cultures
💬 Lead conversations that inspire trust, accountability, and engagement
🛡️ Establish psychological safety as a foundation for innovation
🎯 Recognize and amplify strengths through authentic storytelling
🌱 Cultivate a culture of growth where people thrive—not just perform

Attendees will leave energized with practical strategies to strengthen trust, foster authentic communication, and future-proof their teams in the changing benefits landscape.

9:45am-10:30am: Session 1- Empyrean at 20: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond (Colleen Waymel, Keith Wilson, Jim Priebe, Kelly Clark, Angel Seufert (moderator), Fontainebleau – Fontaine)
As Empyrean celebrates two decades of growth, innovation, and partnership, this session features the company’s executive leadership team—Chief Operating Officer Colleen Waymel, Chief Client Officer Keith Wilson, Chief Information and Technology Officer Kelly Clark, and Chief Strategy Officer Jim Priebe. Together, they will reflect on Empyrean’s 20-year journey and discuss how our continued commitment to client success and the employee experience has positioned us for the next era of transformation.

The conversation will explore Empyrean’s strategic vision and the key priorities shaping our business in the years ahead. Attendees will gain insight into the evolving benefits landscape and how Empyrean is adapting to meet client and participant needs through smarter technology, deeper data integration, and a more personalized benefits experience.

This forward-looking session will also provide an exclusive first look at Empyrean’s upcoming product roadmap, including new innovations designed to enhance platform capabilities, improve efficiency, and drive measurable outcomes for clients. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of where Empyrean is headed—how we’re investing in technology, people, and partnerships—to deliver value today, anticipate tomorrow’s challenges, and shape the future of benefits administration beyond our 20th year.

10:30am-11:00am: Morning Break

11:00am-12:00pm: Session 2- From Reactive to Proactive: Futureproofing Your Benefits Strategy (Fontainebleau – Fontaine)
In today’s fast-evolving benefits landscape, staying ahead requires more than quick reactions—it demands proactive strategy and vision. This engaging panel brings together two leading consultants, two Empyrean clients, and a skilled moderator for a candid conversation about what it takes to build resilient, future-ready benefits programs.

Panelists will share real-world experiences and explore how forward-thinking organizations are anticipating change, leveraging data and technology, and aligning benefits with broader business goals. The discussion will uncover practical ways to move beyond short-term problem-solving toward a more strategic, predictive approach that drives long-term value for both employers and employees.

Attendees will leave with actionable insights, innovative ideas, and proven strategies to help futureproof their benefits strategy and deliver meaningful outcomes in an ever-changing environment.

12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch and Networking

1:15pm-4:15pm: Afternoon Breakout Sessions

1:15pm-2:05pm: BREAKOUT SESSION 1

Reimagining the Benefits Journey: Where Human Connection Meets Intelligent Automation This session will highlight how Empyrean is redefining the participant and client experience by blending empathy with automation. We’ll showcase where AI is already embedded in our operations and benefits platform, preview what’s on the 2026 roadmap, and open discussion with clients on how they see AI driving value in their organizations.	Location: Anchor 1
Empowering Employee Experience: ROI That Matters This session explores how organizations can transform their benefits programs into measurable business value. We’ll share information, strategies, and real-world success stories that demonstrate how decision support, personalized engagement, and streamlined administration deliver tangible ROI. Attendees will learn practical methods for quantifying impact—such as participation lift, cost savings, and efficiency gains—and discover actionable insights to optimize benefits investments for both financial performance and employee experience.	Location: Anchor 2
Meeting Rising Expectations: The Next Era of Global Benefits Design Employee expectations for benefits have risen across flexibility, relevance, and experience, yet many organizations struggle to translate increased investment into perceived value. Drawing on Benifex’s global research, this session explores how the role of benefits is evolving and why design, delivery, and technology now matter as much as what is offered, examining the growing value void, the rise of allowances as a scalable path to personalization, and the importance of discoverability in building employee confidence, engagement, and clarity without adding complexity	Location: Anchor 3

2:05pm-2:25pm: Short Break

2:25pm-3:15pm: BREAKOUT SESSION 2

Personalization Without Friction: Designing Benefits Journeys That Fit Every Employee As workforces diversify and benefit expectations shift, employers are looking for ways to offer meaningful personalization without adding complexity or cost. This session features two employers who have reimagined their benefits strategy — one through a defined contribution model using flex credits, and another by implementing targeted point solutions that meet employees at different life stages. Join us to discover how personalization at scale can improve equity, increase engagement, and support predictable spending while delivering benefits journeys that fit every employee.	Location: Anchor 1
Beyond Enrollment: Unlocking Personalized Moments with an Optimized Benefits Ecosystem Employees expect benefits experiences that are connected, personalized, and easy to act on, and this interactive session explores how Empyrean and its partners can meet those expectations by using data such as medical claims, demographics, and life events to deliver timely, relevant guidance across multiple channels. Together, we’ll examine how a stronger partner ecosystem can drive richer engagement, support better decision-making throughout the year, and identify the partnership models and personalization opportunities that will shape Empyrean’s future roadmap and deliver measurable outcomes.	Location: Anchor 2
The Innovation Exchange: What Employers are Doing Differently for 2027 & Beyond Step into a high-energy, collaborative session where leading employers come together to swap real-world strategies, quick wins, and lessons learned. In this dynamic roundtable format, you’ll join peers in small-group discussions led by Empyrean facilitators to uncover what’s actually working to balance cost, personalization, and employee experience. Expect lively conversation, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas you can take back to your own organization. Whether you’re refining your 2027 benefits strategy or exploring what’s next, this is your chance to connect, compare, and leave inspired with proven approaches that drive measurable impact	Location: Anchor 3

3:15pm-3:35pm: Short Break

3:35pm-4:25pm: BREAKOUT SESSION 3

The Power of Proactive Partnership: Driving Measurable Success Together 
Join us for an energizing, interactive workshop designed to activate how HR and Benefit leaders partner with Empyrean. In this breakout, you’ll explore real client success stories, collaborate in hands-on exercises, and learn practical frameworks for shifting from reactive service interactions to proactive, strategic partnership. You’ll walk away with actionable models for structured governance, forward-looking planning, and deeper alignment that drives measurable business impact. Expect lively conversation, peer insights, and a fresh perspective on how Empyrean can become not just a vendor—but a true growth engine for your organization.

Location: Anchor 1

From Spending to Saving: Turning HSAs Into Financial Wellness Engines
Learn how messaging, timing, and plan design can shift employee perceptions of HSAs from short-term spending accounts to long-term financial wellness tools. This session highlights behavioral prompts, default strategies that drive contribution growth, and real-world examples of organizations successfully integrating HSA education across multiple benefits touchpoints.

Location: Anchor 2

5:30pm-6:00pm: Transition Cocktails

6:00pm – 10:00pm – Evening Event (Fontainebleau – Fontaine)