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Insurance Technology Leaders Unite Around Data, Truth, and Trust at ACORD Connect 2026

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More than half of attendees surveyed said “architecture and systems that allow for scalable, reliable, trustworthy data outcomes” are the most important key to improving data reliability

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ACORD, the standards-setting body for the insurance industry, brought together insurance technology leaders at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to discuss data, truth & trust in insurance. This marks the first time that ACORD Connect has been held in person since 2019.

In his opening remarks, John Kellington, President & CEO of ACORD, emphasized the necessity of collaboration in advancing digital data exchange: “As AI, automation, and digital ecosystems continue to evolve, the need for quality, consumable data becomes more important, and the trust in that data can only be built through collaboration, innovation, and standards.”

The two-day conference kicked off with a community session, where more than 300 insurance technology attendees — including representatives from property & casualty, life & annuity, and reinsurance carriers and brokers — had the opportunity to share their unique perspectives through discussion and a survey to help answer the conference’s central question: how can we trust insurance data? Survey results showed:

Only 7% of attendees said they were fully confident in the quality of data within their organization, while 42% said they were somewhat confident.65% said most of their data is AI-ready, but there are areas that need to be improved.More than half of respondents said complexity and variety of data is the greatest barrier to data trust in their organization today.When asked what would most effectively improve data reliability, 54% said “architecture and systems that allow for scalable, reliable, trustworthy data outcomes.” This was deemed more important than both “upskilling and training teams” and “data governance and compliance processes.”

Attendees had vibrant discussions at the community session and throughout the conference about how trust in data and AI is built, tested, and maintained. Top recurring themes from those conversations were:

Data exchange formats are not a “secret sauce.” Competitive advantage is not driven by data labeling conventions, but through expertise in underwriting and claims handling. Adoption of common data standards is a baseline enabler of excellence; proprietary standards are not a differentiator.Human oversight alone does not build trust in AI. Its value diminishes once the volume of AI-driven decisions outpaces what people can meaningfully review.Fragmented systems and differing definitions make trust harder to establish, meaning the same data can be entered and interpreted differently across each one.

ACORD Connect sessions focused on community, innovative data solutions, and the necessity of standards across the insurance ecosystem

ACORD and ACORD Solutions Group leaders, ACORD members, and industry experts met in various sessions during ACORD Connect to address the conference theme of “Data, Truth, Trust” within P&C, L&A, and reinsurance markets. Highlights included:

Keynote presentation from AI neuroscientist Sarah Baldeo on how insurance professionals can become more resilient, communicative, and collaborative in an AI-enabled industry.A live recording of “The Future of Insurance Podcast” hosted by Bryan Falchuk, where industry leaders Meredith Barnes-Cook (Datos Insights), Russell Sommers (Baker Tilly), and Spero Zacharias (Chubb) examined the current state of data, historical and emerging threats to data integrity, and industry imperatives for maintaining data, truth, and trust.The presentation of inaugural awards from the Women in Insurance Collective during the ACORD Awards ceremony.The welcoming of over 20 students from the University of Connecticut, Nichols College, and Connecticut College, who had the opportunity to learn about insurance technology and network with industry leaders.

In reflecting on the event, Kellington said, “There was an incredible spirit of industry collaboration at ACORD Connect. After hearing from our ACORD members, it is clear there is a shared urgency to improve data quality in insurance, and together we can provide the structure and alignment needed. With all of the great insights and conversations that came out of ACORD Connect, we’re already looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate with our members on initiatives that will address key challenges and make a positive impact on the industry.”

About ACORD

ACORD is the global standards-setting body for the insurance industry. ACORD facilitates fast, accurate data exchange and efficient workflows through the development of electronic standards, standardized forms, and tools to support their use. ACORD currently engages more than 36,000 participating organizations spanning over 100 countries, including insurance and reinsurance companies, agents and brokers, software providers, financial services organizations, and industry associations. ACORD maintains offices in New York and London. Learn more at www.acord.org.

Press Contact:
Beth Jarecki, Omnia Paratus
beth@omniaparatus.com

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SOURCE ACORD

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Clarkson University Earns Inaugural Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability

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POTSDAM, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Clarkson University has earned the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, becoming one of the first institutions nationwide to receive this new recognition for its longstanding commitment to integrating sustainability throughout the University.

Clarkson is one of just 14 institutions nationwide to earn the classification through its 2025 pilot. The recognition reflects the University’s broad commitment to sustainability across research, education, community engagement and campus operations, bringing together faculty, students and partners to address real-world challenges in the North Country and beyond.

Clarkson participated in the pilot program that helped shape the classification’s framework and review process. The classification recognizes institutions that demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to sustainability.

The Institute for a Sustainable Environment serves as an interdisciplinary hub connecting sustainability education, research and outreach across Clarkson. That work extends throughout the University’s research enterprise, including the Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions, Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science (CAARES), and Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP).

Clarkson researchers are tackling challenges involving clean water and energy, air quality, resilient energy systems, waste reduction and advanced materials. Research through the Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions has supported technologies to destroy PFAS and harmful algal blooms, while other Clarkson research has explored alternative solvents for semiconductor manufacturing.

Some of that research has moved from the laboratory into the marketplace. Clarkson-developed technologies have led to startup companies addressing environmental challenges, including PFAS treatment. Student-founded KLAW Industries developed a process that repurposes waste glass for use in concrete, reducing waste and the material’s carbon footprint.

Sustainability is also integrated into the Clarkson student experience. Courses including Climate Change for Engineers, Sustainable Infrastructure and Building, and Water Resources II examine issues ranging from climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure to flood control. Students also put those lessons into practice through research, capstone projects and community-based learning.

That combination of education and community engagement is particularly visible in the North Country. Clarkson faculty and students have supported the Potsdam Climate Smart Communities Task Force and worked with the Village of Potsdam on stormwater infrastructure and flooding risks. Student work has helped lay the groundwork for additional engineering projects and contributed to the village securing outside funding.

Clarkson also has a decades-long partnership with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Air Quality Program at Akwesasne. Through CAARES, faculty and students have supported indoor and outdoor air-quality monitoring and helped identify opportunities to improve indoor air quality.

Students have also contributed research and data to sustainability planning with the New York Olympic Region and worked with regional schools, municipalities, nonprofits and businesses on food waste, infrastructure, environmental education and community resilience.

Together, these efforts reflect Clarkson’s view of sustainability as more than environmental stewardship. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Clarkson’s approach also considers human well-being, economic opportunity and the strength of communities.

“The first group of inaugural institutions help bring this new classification to life,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “We’re proud to recognize their leadership and the many ways they are advancing sustainability across their campuses and communities.”

The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability is hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education.

The 14 pilot institutions will become part of the inaugural cohort of classified institutions, which will be announced in June 2027. Institutions receiving the classification retain it for six years, through 2033.

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SOURCE Clarkson University

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Bitwise Recognized Among Top Databricks Partners Globally for Delivery Experts

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Recognition underscores Bitwise’s investment in Databricks expertise, customer delivery success, and enterprise AI transformation capabilities

PUNE, India and CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bitwise, an AI-First engineering enterprise, today announced it has been recognized among the top Databricks partners for Databricks Delivery Experts, reflecting the company’s continued investment in Databricks talent, certifications, and delivery capabilities that help enterprises modernize data platforms, advance analytics initiatives, and accelerate AI adoption on the Databricks Data + AI Platform. The Delivery Expert program launched in May 2026 and recognizes partners investing in technical excellence and building deep migration and modernization expertise across the Databricks ecosystem.

Databricks Delivery Expert credentials recognize consulting partners that demonstrate advanced technical expertise and successful delivery across key Databricks solution areas. The recognition reinforces Bitwise’s ability to help organizations build modern data foundations, modernize legacy environments, and scale AI initiatives with confidence.

The achievement adds to Bitwise’s growing momentum within the Databricks ecosystem, including:

More than 330 Databricks certifications across its engineering organization

Recognition as a Databricks Genie GTM Partner for solutions that enable conversational, AI-powered access to enterprise data and business intelligence

Databricks Silver Partner status

FulkrumAI, Bitwise’s AI-powered modernization platform that helps accelerate Databricks migration, modernization initiatives, and reducing risk, effort, and time-to-value

Industry solutions leveraging Databricks technologies, including the Talent Intelligence Platform built on Databricks Lakebase 

Rahul Athalye, Vice President and Global Service Line Leader for Data & Analytics, Bitwise said, “This recognition reflects our continued investment in building deep Databricks expertise and delivering meaningful business outcomes for clients. As enterprises increase their focus on data modernization and AI transformation, the combination of strong technical capabilities, proven delivery expertise, and platform innovation becomes increasingly important. We are proud to be recognized among Databricks’ leading partners and remain committed to helping organizations unlock greater value from their data and AI investments.”

Bitwise supports customers across a broad range of Databricks-led initiatives, including data platform modernization, lakehouse implementations, analytics modernization, AI and machine learning solutions, and Databricks Genie-powered business intelligence solutions.

Building on its Databricks expertise, Bitwise has developed a portfolio of Genie-powered solutions focused on business outcomes, including Proactive Sales Pipeline Intelligence, Intelligent Customer 360, and Proactive Supply Chain Intelligence. These solutions enable business users to interact with enterprise data using natural language while maintaining governance, trust, and enterprise controls. The company also combines Databricks capabilities with proprietary accelerators such as FulkrumAI to help organizations accelerate modernization initiatives and reduce transformation risk. 

Bitwise is also expanding its innovation efforts around Databricks Lakebase, leveraging its capabilities to support next-generation data applications, including its Talent Intelligence Platform. By combining operational and analytical data with AI-driven insights, the platform helps organizations make more informed workforce and talent-related decisions.

Denilson Camilo, Senior Director, Partner Enablement, Databricks, said, “Partners play an essential role in helping organizations realize the full value of the Databricks Data + AI Platform. Bitwise’s achievement in earning 130+ Delivery Experts badges demonstrates a strong commitment to technical excellence and customer success. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as enterprises modernize their data foundations and expand their use of AI.”

About Bitwise

Bitwise is an AI-First engineering enterprise that helps organizations turn AI into a sustainable source of competitive advantage. Backed by 30 years of legacy in data modernization, precision engineering, and enterprise-scale delivery, Bitwise delivers a comprehensive set of AI-First capabilities, enabling organizations to move from AI experimentation to scalable, production-grade outcomes.

Headquartered in Chicago with global delivery centers in Pune, India, Bitwise pairs onshore client alignment with offshore delivery efficiency to serve as a strategic growth partner to leading global organizations.

To learn more, visit the Bitwise website and follow Bitwise on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Bitwise Inc

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CMIT Solutions Celebrates 30 Years and Honors Top Franchise Owners at Connect Live! 2026

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Annual managed IT services franchise convention in Indianapolis brought the CMIT community together for business education, peer collaboration, networking and an awards celebration at Union Station

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CMIT Solutions, a national provider of managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions to small and midsize businesses, celebrated 30 years in business at CMIT Connect Live! 2026. The annual convention brought franchise owners, technicians, service professionals, the corporate team, and technology partners together in Indianapolis for professional development, business collaboration, networking and recognition of outstanding performance across the CMIT Solutions franchise network.

The multi-day event reflected the relationships that support CMIT’s nationwide network. Programming included educational sessions, meetings of CMIT’s high-performing Mastermind Groups, informative breakout sessions, the Partners and Solutions Pavilion, networking events, a Women’s Happy Hour and a Million Dollar Dinner celebrating franchise owners whose businesses have reached at least $1 million in annual revenue.

CMIT also welcomed and toasted franchise owners who joined the organization after October 2025 during a Welcome Party at the NCAA Hall of Champions.

Key technology sponsors supporting CMIT Connect Live! 2026 included Kaseya, ConnectWise, Pax8, ThreatCaptain, and Cytracom.

CMIT Solutions also welcomed the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), which had an onsite presence and conducted video interviews highlighting members of the CMIT community and broader technology industry.

Franchise of the Year Caps 2026 Awards Celebration

The CMIT Connect Live! Awards Banquet was held at Indianapolis Union Station, where the historic architecture and elegant setting provided the backdrop for CMIT’s 30-year celebration. The evening combined franchise and support team recognition with live music and a performance by the event band.

The evening’s highest honor, the Franchise of the Year Award, was presented to Dayal Bhagat of CMIT Solutions serving the Roanoke, Virginia and North Charlotte and Statesville, North Carolina regions. The award recognizes sustained business growth, service delivery, participation in the CMIT system, alignment with the organization’s core values and contributions to the broader franchise community.

Franchise of the Year nominees: Dayal Bhagat; Matt McCracken; Mike Minkler; Tom Shirey; Cheryl Nelan and Evan Stein; and Marty and Leslie Wood.

Other CMIT Solutions Award Winners and Nominees

Award

Winner(s)

Nominees

Marketing Excellence

Elizabeth and John Boyette

Elizabeth and John Boyette; Adam Lopez; Yusuf Ujjainwala; and Andrew Vaughan

Sales Excellence

Leslie Chiorazzi

Leslie Chiorazzi; Larry Kerrigan; Mike Minkler; Cheryl Nelan and Evan Stein; Chris Parmigiani; Tom Shirey; and Jeff Steele

Mastermind Group of the Year

The Afterburners

Afterburners; Alliance; Disruptors; Forerunners; Pacesetters; and Gamechangers

FAC Member of the Year

Arvind Hariharan

John Boyette, Southeast; Leslie Chiorazzi, Northeast; Arvind Hariharan, Pacific; Matt McCracken, Central; and Zen Piotrowski, Midwest

Technician of the Year

Phil Ellis

Phil Ellis; Andrew Golden; Bob Hanson; Austin Kupper; Don Kupper; and Mark Stephens

Service Delivery Manager of the Year

Jenn Fortunato

Josh Carroll; Jenn Fortunato; Bea Stockler; and Anna Zwicky-Kasemodel

Rookie of the Year

Adam Lopez and Mike McCain

Mitul Chothani; Elina and Scott Greenstein; Adam Lopez; Mike McCain; Laurel Mueller; and Damian Sanderson

President’s Award

Cheryl Nelan and Evan Stein

No nominee slate was announced

Partner Awards Presented at CMIT Connect Live

CMIT Solutions technology partners Kaseya, Pax8 and ConnectWise presented additional awards during the banquet.

Kaseya Partner of the Year: Matt McCracken 

Kaseya Breakout Franchise of the Year: Elina and Scott Greenstein

Pax8 Partner of the Year: Milton Perez, Greg Humble, and Mark Boedecker

ConnectWise Franchise of the Year: Scott Graflund (Pam Elliott accepted the award on Scott’s behalf) 

ConnectWise Rising Star Award: Adam Lopez

A 30-Year Milestone Built on Community

A video featuring CMIT Solutions founder Georgia Jones was played during the celebration. In the video, Jones shared touching reflections on CMIT’s 30 years in business and the people and relationships that have helped shape the organization throughout its history.

“Celebrating 30 years is a tremendous milestone for CMIT Solutions, but what I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built and the franchise owners who continue to move this organization forward,” said Roger Lewis, CEO of CMIT Solutions. “Connect Live gave us the opportunity to celebrate where we’ve been, recognize the people driving our success today, and look ahead to the next chapter of growth and innovation.”

About CMIT Solutions

CMIT Solutions provides managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions to small and midsize businesses through a network of locally owned offices backed by national resources. CMIT helps organizations manage technology, strengthen security, support employees, protect data and plan for growth through trusted local relationships and a broad network of technology expertise.

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SOURCE CMIT Solutions

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