# Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (WCI) — Theme & Take | Medrecords AI

> WCI is the US workers' comp event with the broadest cross-functional attendance; the 2026 'Bold Ideas' theme and 2025 people-first framing signal a shift from claims mechanics toward culture, retention, and the human side of the system — where IME quality and case-management experience matter most.

Canonical page: https://medrecords.ai/ime-hub/events/wci-workers-comp-educational-conference/

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## Editorial take

_Editorial — MedRecords AI._

WCI is the US workers' comp event with the broadest cross-functional attendance; the 2026 'Bold Ideas' theme and 2025 people-first framing signal a shift from claims mechanics toward culture, retention, and the human side of the system — where IME quality and case-management experience matter most.

Official themes (Palooza → Glam) plus recap coverage emphasize professionals serving injured workers; case-management and RTW breakout content confirms the IME-adjacent audience.

## Theme history

- **2025:** WCI Palooza – The Comp Stars Are All Here! (Aug 17-20, 2025)
- **2026:** WCI Goes Glam – Bold Ideas & Big Impact (80th annual)

## Agenda highlights

- Case-management and return-to-work breakouts (e.g., WorkCompCollege '3 D's' session)
- WCI TV theme: Rockstar Careers – Finding Your Rhythm in Workers' Comp

## Recaps & coverage

- [Continuous Learning: The Essential Component to a Case Manager's Success](https://www.workerscompensation.com/daily-headlines/continuous-learning-the-essential-component-to-a-case-managers-success/) — WorkersCompensation.com (2025-08-25)
- [Straight Outta Workers' Comp Episode 14 – Live from WCI 2025](https://workcompcollege.com/straight-outta-workers-comp-episode-14-livingston-hamlin-kertay-live-from-wci-2025-video/) — WorkCompCollege (2025-08-26)
- [Tower MSA Partners Sponsors WCI TV for Seventh Year](https://towermsa.com/2025/08/13/tower-msa-partners-sponsors-wci-tv-rockstar-careers-in-workers-comp/) — Tower MSA Partners (2025-08-12)
- [Carlisle Medical will be Exhibiting at the 80th Annual WCI](https://www.carlisleandassociates.net/2026/06/carlisle-medical-will-be-exhibiting-at-the-80th-annual-workers-compensation-educational-conference/) — Carlisle & Associates (2026-06-16)

## Key facts

- **Organizer:** wci
- **Location:** Orlando, FL (annual)
- **Format:** in-person
- **Current theme:** WCI Goes Glam – Bold Ideas & Big Impact (80th, 2026)
- **Who should attend:** Workers' comp claims professionals, case managers, adjusters, TPAs, defense counsel, IME-adjacent vendors

## Sources

- [WorkersCompensation.com: Continuous Learning: The Essential Component to a Case Manager's Success](https://www.workerscompensation.com/daily-headlines/continuous-learning-the-essential-component-to-a-case-managers-success/)
- [WorkCompCollege: Straight Outta Workers' Comp Episode 14 – Live from WCI 2025](https://workcompcollege.com/straight-outta-workers-comp-episode-14-livingston-hamlin-kertay-live-from-wci-2025-video/)
- [Tower MSA Partners: Tower MSA Partners Sponsors WCI TV for Seventh Year](https://towermsa.com/2025/08/13/tower-msa-partners-sponsors-wci-tv-rockstar-careers-in-workers-comp/)
- [Carlisle & Associates: Carlisle Medical will be Exhibiting at the 80th Annual WCI](https://www.carlisleandassociates.net/2026/06/carlisle-medical-will-be-exhibiting-at-the-80th-annual-workers-compensation-educational-conference/)

Last verified: 2026-08-15