WHY ATTEND

This Isn't Another Insurance Conference

No generic panels. No recycled content. This is advanced-level premium financing strategy from the team that closes the cases other firms can't figure out.

Real Case Studies, Real Numbers

Walk through 5+ actual premium financing case studies: estate tax planning, hybrid models, zero-net-cost structures, IRA repositioning, and Rothish retirement plans.

Direct Carrier & Lender Access

Breakout sessions led by National Life Group, LifeRoc, and additional carriers and lenders. Get answers from the people who approve your deals.

New Proposal Tech Platform

Be the first to train on Lionsmark's new proposal system: get a Rothish proposal and carrier illustration in under 2 minutes, not 2 days.

Mini Checkmate Sales Training

Learn the exact system Darren uses to attract (not chase) high-net-worth clients. Communication frameworks that speak to wealthy clients at their level.

Agent Panel: What Actually Works

Hear from advisors who have closed cases with Lionsmark. Best practices, client positioning, and how to build credibility with UHNW prospects.

Premium Networking Experience

Cocktail reception on the Sky Terrace, sponsor-led dine-arounds at top San Antonio restaurants, and two days of connecting with serious producers.

Your Host

Darren Sugiyama

Founder, Lionsmark Capital | 12x Published Author | Nationally Acclaimed Speaker

After starting his career as a counselor in a gang prevention program in Long Beach, California, Darren followed his entrepreneurial instincts into the insurance business. His first year, he earned $277. Seven years later, his firm Apex was producing over $37 million in annual sales, ranking #1 for HealthNet, Kaiser Permanente, and Colonial Life concurrently.

In 2016, Darren founded Lionsmark Capital, now one of the most dominant premium financing intermediary firms in the life insurance industry. Partnered with 19 different banks, Lionsmark develops proprietary 8-figure life insurance solutions for deca-millionaire and billionaire clients nationwide.

His published works are distributed across 15 countries. He has delivered over 300 keynote speeches, trained thousands of advisors, and continues to redefine how the industry thinks about premium financing.

FULL AGENDA

Two Days of Advanced Strategy

Designed to give you actionable knowledge you can use the moment you get back to your practice.

Event Agenda

8:00AM – 9:00AM	Registration Open Anacacho Foyer Please note: no breakfast served Check in with The Welcoming Committee Receive Your Program & Name Badge Find Your Seat Most Importantly, Fill Up Your Coffee Cup :)
9:00AM – 9:30AM	Opening Session – What's Wrong With Premium Financing? Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama How has Premium Financing Changed in the Last 6 Months vs. the Last 6 Years? The Evils of Free Life Insurance Pitfalls and Lawsuits to Avoid The "Kyle Busch Lawsuit" Against Pacific Life – What's True & What's Nonsense What Darren Learned As An Expert Witness In A Competitor's 7-Figure Premium Financing Lawsuit
9:30AM – 10:30AM	Case Studies Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama Case Study #1: Maximum Leverage For Estate Tax Planning (exiting loan ASAP) Case Study #2: Hybrid Model For Estate Tax Planning (reduces collateral) Case Study #3: Creating A Zero Net Cost For The Client (safely and responsibly) Case Study #4: Repositioning IRA Funds (in a more tax-efficient way) Case Study #5: Rothish Retirement Plan (a better solution than Kaizen)
10:30AM – 12:00PM	Sponsor Sessions Anacacho Ballroom 10:30AM – 11:25AM · National Life Group — Heather Johnson Target Premiums & Commissions High Early Cash Value Riders 11:25AM – 12:00PM · LifeRoc — Norman Giroux When Does It Make Sense For A Client To Sell Their Policy? What Makes Their Platform Unique?
12:00PM – 1:00PM	Lunch Anacacho Ballroom Balcony
1:00PM – 2:00PM	Lionsmark Capital's New Proposal Tech Platform & AI Platform Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama Get A Rothish Proposal & Carrier Illustration In Less Than 2 Minutes (not 2 days) Comparison Report: Rothish vs. The Market Training On How To Present The Proposal To A Client How Lionsmark Capital Uses AI
2:00PM – 2:20PM	Break 20-Minute Break and Transition to Sponsor Sessions
2:20PM – 3:30PM	Sponsor Sessions Anacacho Ballroom 2:20PM – 2:55PM · EverBank — Steven Gleicher (Lender) 2:55PM – 3:30PM · Pacific Life — Chad Manz (Carrier)
3:30PM – 4:00PM	Panel Discussion With Agents Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama Best Practices From Advisors Who Have Closed Cases With Lionsmark What Clients Really Want (versus what you think they want) How To Build More Credibility With Clients How To Position Darren & Lionsmark When Introducing Your Clients
4:00PM – 5:00PM	Grief Brain Anacacho Ballroom What Inspired Darren To Write This Book "GRIEF BRAIN" How To Deliver A Life Insurance Policy Death Benefit Check (and how to talk to the bereaved) Life After Loss Foundation – Helping Other Bereaved Parents How To Honor The Memory Of A Departed Loved One
5:00PM – 6:30PM	Cocktail Reception Anacacho Ballroom
7:00PM – 9:00PM	Dinner On Own / Sponsor Dine-Around Opportunities Sponsor Lead Dine-Arounds at Local Restaurants
8:00AM – 9:00AM	Breakfast Anacacho Ballroom Balcony
9:00AM – 9:30AM	Opening Session Day 2 – Recap & Insights Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama Recap / Insights Takeaways from Day 1
9:30AM – 10:30AM	Mini Checkmate Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama The Lionsmark Process: How We Work With Advisors & Clients Establishing Roles & Commission Splits Content To Send Clients Zoom Calls Custom Client Videos Underwriting: Carriers & Lenders Loan Renewal Process Our New Rothish.com Website Requesting A Formal Proposal Biggest Mistakes In Communicating With Wealthy Clients Chasing vs Attracting Convincing vs Clarifying Building Fake Rapport vs Talking To Their Soul
10:30AM – 12:00PM	Sponsor Sessions Anacacho Ballroom 10:30AM – 11:25AM · Nationwide — Justin Vanderheiden (Carrier) Target Premiums & Commissions High Early Cash Value Riders 11:25AM – 12:00PM · Synovus Bank — Jay McBrayer (Lender) When Does It Make Sense For A Client To Sell Their Policy? What Makes Synovus Bank's Platform Unique?
12:00PM – 12:20PM	Break 20-Minute Break and Transition
12:20PM – 1:30PM	Darren's Journey Anacacho Ballroom Darren Sugiyama Darren's Journey in the Life Insurance Business The Genesis of Lionsmark Capital Doing Business Using Samurai Warrior Principles The Takeo Effect: How to Overcome Adversity The Power of Gratitude How The Death Of Darren's 14-Year-Old Son Changed His Mission

The venue

The Saint Anthony

A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio, TX

Book Your Stay

300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205

A historic landmark hotel in the heart of downtown San Antonio, just steps from the River Walk

Sessions held in the Anacacho Ballroom, Draper Room, and Peraux Ballroom

Cocktail reception on the St. A Sky Terrace with panoramic city views

15 minutes from San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Trusted by Advisors Nationwide

"I've seen Darren with our RIAs, advisors, family offices on Zoom meetings and the way he communicates to them is like nothing I've ever seen before. Darren's backtesting software is the best we've seen in the industry in the last 20 years."

-Jeff Reid

LifeRisk Architects

★★★★★

FAQ

Common Questions

Who should attend the Symposium?

This event is designed for life insurance agents, financial advisors, wealth managers, and anyone involved in premium financing, whether you're experienced or just getting started. If you work with high-net-worth clients or want to, this is for you.

Do I need premium financing experience to attend?

No. While sessions are advanced, they are structured to be valuable for both newcomers and experienced producers. Darren walks through real case studies step by step, so you'll leave with practical knowledge regardless of your starting point.

What's the difference between early bird and standard pricing?

Early bird pricing is $349 per person. Standard pricing is $459. Both include full access to all sessions, breakout workshops, meals, the cocktail reception, and dine-around experiences. Register early to lock in the lower rate.

What is included in my registration?

Your registration covers all general sessions and breakout workshops across both days, lunch on Day 1, breakfast on Day 2, the cocktail reception on the Sky Terrace, sponsor-led dine-arounds, and access to the new proposal tech platform training.

Where should I stay?

The Symposium is held at The Saint Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in downtown San Antonio. We recommend booking a room at the hotel for convenience. Details on room blocks will be shared after registration.

What is the cancellation policy?

Please contact the Lionsmark Capital team directly for cancellation and refund inquiries. Seats are limited and transferable with advance notice.

How can my company become a resource partner?

We offer Resource Partnership packages for carriers, lenders, and complementary service providers. Visit the Resource Partnership page or contact us directly for sponsorship details and pricing.