March 3, 2025

By Lane Kimble

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A retired Navy admiral and Top Gun graduate, two legendary Packers Super Bowl champions, experts on AI, insurance, and even a self-described “economist with a sense of humor.”

Quite the impressive slate of General Session speakers this week at the 2025 WTBA Annual Convention in Hollywood, Florida.

“I joked that earlier in my career that maybe I networked more than I worked at some of these things, so I didn’t always attend the sessions, but these were great,” Past President Brian Endres said.  “I enjoyed it from the beginning until the end and I was in every single one.”

Click HERE for the 2025 Annual Convention photo gallery

Attendees seemed to feel the same way, packing the general session rooms each of the convention’s three days.

The week also included plenty of fun, from a rooftop welcome reception, to a jaw-dropping scholarship auction which raised $276,000, a sun soaked boat cruise and golf outing, and an elegant closing night.

Endres was sure to thank WTBA staff (especially the peerless Catherine DeMarco) for their efforts throughout the year and in helping prepare for his conference.  Executive Director Steve Baas highlighted much of that work in a video shared Wednesday morning with attendees.

It marked a bittersweet moment for Endres, the conclusion of his term as president.  But he proudly was able to reflect on an incredible week spent with hundreds of friends and colleagues.

“If you’re an introvert and you’re not sure how to be involved, just come to one of these things and just watch,” Endres said.  “Organically you’ll get drawn into a conversation that will make you feel welcome and more at home.”