Elizabeth Galentine

The Affordable Care Act, new ways to fill the sales pipeline and Zenefits dominated EBA’s BeAdvised blog commentary this year. The top 10 most-read blogs of 2015 detail the growing number of ACA regulations and reporting requirements, explain why advisers don’t accurately understand the threat behind a tech-focused brokerage and highlight simple-yet-effective ways producers can increase existing client revenue and get prospects to open the door.

Bring many of the industry’ leading minds together with brokers and advisers from across the country who are eager to learn and share insights on the latest market trends and best practices, and you’ve got some of the year’s most thought-provoking conversations. For those who missed out, here are the highlights from EBA’s 2015 conferences.

Brokers send mixed messages on technology needs, strategy and spending plans in EBA’s second annual technology survey.

This well-rounded Midwest adviser’s holistic approach to employee benefits, genuine character and trendsetting business practices set him apart.

Health reform has put a spotlight on ben admin and HRIS systems, but there are many factors to consider when choosing a new platform, experts say.

Focusing on the end result of what voluntary benefits can do for an employer makes the proposition of introducing the products a no-brainer, says Willis’ Mike Meredith.

Advisers who excel in the vision field do the best job of making the connection between vision and medical plans, some experts say. Shannon Enders, a founding partner at Lakeshore Employee Benefits in Norton Shores, Mich., says when he brings the idea of connecting vision and health data to clients’ attention, “they quickly become very interested.”

Which brokerages have the most clients in the biggest industries in the U.S.? From construction to finance, education to manufacturing — and more, EBA, in partnership with business intelligence data analytics firm miEdge, reveals the top 10 brokerages in 10 U.S. industries. The listing is based on Form 5500 Schedule A reporting data on premiums as of March 31, 2015.