Professional Liability Underwriting Society

What Professional Liability Underwriting Society does

The Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) is a not-for-profit professional membership association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that serves the professional liability insurance industry through education, professional credentials, conferences, and a 15-chapter global network reaching 45,000+ practitioners. The organization operates as the only neutral association created exclusively by and for the entire professional liability industry, serving underwriters, brokers, claims professionals, risk managers, attorneys, and executives across all career stages. Membership is offered at no cost; the organization monetizes through paid conference and symposium registrations, the PLUS Learning Center (a member-facing LMS offering 26 eLearning modules, on-demand courses, six specialized certificates, and four professional designations—RPLU, CPLP, ExecPLP, and RPLU+), and tiered corporate sponsorships at events (Bronze $7,500 through Diamond $30,000+).

The technology stack is conventional association software: a PLUS Events App published on iOS and Android for conference navigation, scheduling, attendee messaging, and live Q&A; a member-only learning management system at learn.plusweb.org; and an opt-in member directory for networking. The 2026 product calendar reflects an event-driven growth strategy that includes the flagship 39th Annual PLUS Conference in San Diego (November 10-12, 2026), six specialty symposia (Cyber, D&O, EPL, Healthcare & Medical PL, Transactional Risk), the inaugural PLUS University London (May 2026), the return of PLUS University to New York (June 2026), and virtual instructor-led Cyber and D&O Universities in September and October 2026. All major programming carries CE/CLE credit, tying educational delivery to practitioner license-maintenance requirements.

The business model is a freemium community-association model with diversified revenue streams across event registrations (e.g., $1,410 for member early registration at the 2026 PLUS Conference), individual module and certificate purchases (e.g., $325 for Module 23: Cyber Risk), and corporate sponsorship of conferences and symposia. PLUS is governed by a Board of Trustees, operates without a parent company or external equity backing, and is led by CEO Robbie Thompson. The distribution model combines direct enterprise sales (corporate sponsorships and group registrations), self-serve PLG through the online learning catalog, and channel-style reach via 15 regional chapters across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Name

Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Legal name

Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Website

https://plusweb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) is a not-for-profit membership association serving 45,000+ professional liability insurance practitioners worldwide through industry designations, a 26-module curriculum, six annual symposia, and a 15-chapter global network, monetizing via event registrations, education sales, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Insurance Education and Membership Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Insurance (EDAAAPAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ), Insurance Finance & Risk (Actuarial, Claims, Solvency) (EDABAJAJ), Course Bundle Subscriptions & Learning Membership Marketplaces (EDAFAIAI)

Keywords

• Professional liability education
• Insurance industry designations
• Continuing education insurance
• Risk management training
• Insurance conferences symposia

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PLUS membership is offered at no cost, providing free access to resources, networking, and basic member benefits.
2. Event Registrations: Revenue from conference and symposium registrations including the PLUS Conference ($1,410 for members), chapter events, and virtual events. CE/CLE credits available.
3. Education Programs and Designations: Revenue from professional designations (CPLP, ExecPLP, RPLU, RPLU+), certificates, and individual module purchases (Module 23: Cyber Risk - $325 for members).
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship tiers at conferences: Platinum ($30,000), Gold ($20,000), Silver ($12,500), Bronze ($7,500). Includes brand visibility, exhibitor booths, and session hosting opportunities.
5. Member Market: Products and services offered through the PLUS Member Market for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PLUS operates a not-for-profit professional membership association serving the professional liability insurance industry. It delivers education through annual conferences and symposia (PLUS Conference, Cyber, D&O, EPL, Healthcare & Medical PL, Transactional Risk), online learning via the PLUS Learning Center with 26 curriculum modules, professional designations (RPLU, CPLP, ExecPLP, RPLU+), and certificates across specialized practice areas. The organization supports 45,000+ practitioners across 15 regional chapters through events, webinars, mentorship, and a member directory.

Product overview

The Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) operates a multi-faceted educational platform and event organization for the professional liability insurance industry. The core offerings include professional designations (RPLU, CPLP, ExecPLP, RPLU+), specialized certificates (Asia PLI, Cyber Liability, E&O, Executive Liability, Medical Professional Liability, PLI), and a comprehensive 26-module curriculum covering cyber, D&O, EPL, E&O, healthcare, and transactional risk insurance. PLUS organizes premier annual conferences and symposia (PLUS Conference, Cyber, D&O, EPL, Healthcare & MedPL, and Transactional Risk Symposia) featuring CE/CLE credits, industry expert speakers, and networking opportunities. The learning platform includes virtual universities (PLUS University, Cyber University, D&O University) for entry-level to mid-career professionals. Additional offerings encompass the PLUS Podcast, PLUS Blog, PLUS Events App, chapter events, mentorship and career development programs, serving 45,000+ members across 15 chapters in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PLUS Events App: Mobile application for PLUS event attendees to navigate conferences and plan schedules
• PLUS Foundation
• PLUS Learning Center

Products and services

• PLUS Conference The premier annual gathering for the professional liability insurance industry, featuring keynote speakers, educational sessions, CE/CLE credits, and extensive networking opportunities for industry practitioners.
• Cyber Symposium Premier symposium dedicated to cyber liability insurance, providing education on coverage dynamics, breach response, emerging risks and market forces in cyber business.
• D&O Symposium Annual symposium focusing on directors and officers liability insurance, covering public company D&O, private company D&O, and financial organization coverage.
• EPL Symposium Annual symposium covering employment practices liability insurance, addressing workplace discrimination, harassment, and related coverage issues.
• Healthcare & Medical PL Symposium Annual symposium dedicated to healthcare and medical professional liability, with sessions on healthcare & AI, health services, and medical malpractice topics.
• Transactional Risk Symposium Annual symposium addressing transactional risk insurance, covering M&A insurance, warranty & indemnity, and related professional liability products.
• RPLU Designation Registered Professional Liability Underwriter designation providing comprehensive professional liability insurance knowledge across multiple coverage lines.
• CPLP Designation Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner designation focusing on cyber liability insurance, data privacy, and cybersecurity risk education.
• ExecPLP Designation Executive Professional Liability Program designation covering directors and officers liability, employment practices, fiduciary liability, and executive risk topics.
• RPLU+ Designation Advanced RPLU designation with enhanced curriculum for experienced professional liability practitioners.
• Certificate in Cyber Liability Certificate program covering cyber risk exposures, liability, underwriting factors, policy provisions, and claims management for cyber insurance.
• Certificate in Asia Professional Liability Certificate covering professional liability insurance concepts specific to the Asian market, including PLI fundamentals, D&O liability, and public company D&O.
• PLUS University Entry-level professional liability education program for professionals with under three years of experience, covering foundational insurance concepts and industry fundamentals.
• Cyber University Instructor-led virtual program providing essential knowledge on cyber liability coverage dynamics, breach response, and emerging risks for beginners.
• D&O University Instructor-led virtual program for professionals with five years or less D&O insurance experience, building essential directors and officers liability expertise.
• PLUS Curriculum (26 Modules) Comprehensive curriculum of 26 eLearning modules covering key professional liability topics including cyber, D&O, EPL, E&O, healthcare, and transactional risk insurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000+ members served across the professional liability insurance industry
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and major.

• AonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Aon is a leading global professional services firm providing risk consulting, insurance brokerage, and reinsurance services.
• BeazleyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Beazley is a specialist insurance broker focused on professional liability, cyber, and specialty lines.
• ChubbflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Chubb is a leading global property and casualty insurance company with significant professional liability offerings.
• FMGflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. FMG (Fleming, Martin & Group) is a law firm-focused insurance broker.
• GAIG (Great American Insurance Group)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Great American Insurance Group offers specialty and commercial insurance products.
• KBRflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. KBR is a law firm specializing in professional liability and litigation.
• MarshflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Marsh is a leading global insurance broker and risk advisory firm.
• Munich REflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Munich Re is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance risk solutions.
• TravelersflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor of PLUS. Travelers is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance for commercial and personal customers.
• University of Colorado Risk Management and Insurance ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership providing PLUS Curriculum Module 23: Cyber Risk to students in the Global Risk Management course. PLUS provides educational content supporting classroom learning and industry conversations.
• Core SpecialtymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. Core Specialty provides specialty insurance products.
• CoverysmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. Coverys specializes in medical professional liability insurance.
• CRC GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. CRC Group is a wholesale insurance broker and MGA.
• HUB InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. HUB International is a global insurance broker.
• MagMutualmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. MagMutual provides medical professional liability insurance.
• TDC SpecialtymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of PLUS. TDC Specialty provides specialty insurance products.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I): Industry-funded communication, research, and education body for the property/casualty insurance sector. Comparable as a membership-supported industry education and content organization, though focused more on consumer/media outreach than practitioner training.
• National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA): Association serving independent insurance agents with conventions, partnerships, and CE programming. Similar non-dues-supported association model, overlapping downstream of the PL pipeline that PLUS also serves.
• American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS): Advisory organization developing statistical plans and policy forms for insurance carriers, with education and member services. Adjacent to PLUS's mission of supporting insurance practitioners through content, forms, and standards.
• Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB): Trade association for commercial insurance brokerage firms, running industry conferences and leadership programming. Overlaps with PLUS on the broker side of the PL market, with similar association-driven event and education monetization.
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big 'I'): National US association for independent insurance agents offering conventions, education, and insurance designations (CIC, CRM). Comparable association business model and member-paid event/conference infrastructure, though broader than PL.
• Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS): Professional society for P&C actuaries offering credentials, continuing education, and research. Comparable in operating model (society, credentials, events, publications) but serves the actuarial subset of the broader insurance value chain rather than underwriting.

Direct peers

• RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society): Member-driven association for risk professionals and insurance buyers offering conferences (RIMS RISKWORLD), designations, and education. Closely parallel to PLUS in mission and business model, though its audience is the risk-management/buyer side rather than the PL underwriting side.
• Defense Research Institute (DRI): Membership organization for insurance defense attorneys and corporate counsel that delivers CLE-accredited education, annual conferences, and specialized certifications. Comparable to PLUS because it sits at the intersection of insurance and legal professional education.
• The Institutes / CPCU Society: Provider of the CPCU and other insurance professional designations plus curated curriculum and events. Directly comparable because it monetizes insurance industry education through designations, continuing education, and member programs — the same core model as PLUS.

Emerging players

• AIDA (Association Internationale de Droit des Assurances): International association for insurance law specialists running global congresses and academic publications. Comparable as a membership-driven, conference-centric knowledge network serving cross-border insurance and legal professionals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Professional Liability Underwriting Society