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Industry News

IA MAGAZINE
Keep IA Coming

Want to have the latest industry news and trends, management information, specialty lines access and government affairs coverage at your fingertips? To improve the profitability and efficiency of your agency, renew your subscription to Independent Agent magazine. And the best part—it’s free. Take action now. Keep your IA magazine coming, delivered straight to your home or office each month. To validate your subscription online, go to www.IAmagazine.com and click on “Update Your Subscription.” Use the six-digit ID printed on your magazine mailing label and follow the directions. While you’re visiting the Web site, don’t forget to check out the Premier Insurance Directory (PID). PID is the ultimate monthly guide for insurance products and services, including specialty lines, and the information is searchable by category online. Direct any IA subscription questions to Jill Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net.

InVEST
InVEST Winter Edition Newsletter Available

The winter edition of the InVEST newsletter is now available on the InVEST Web site. The newsletter is targeted to InVEST liaisons and teachers with information about the free products, services and publications available to InVEST program participants. The winter edition of the newsletter features upcoming events, deadlines and much more. For more information about the InVEST newsletter, visit www.investprogram.org or contact Amber Williamson at 800-221-7917; amber.williamson@iiaba.net.

VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY
You’ve Got an Expert at VU

No matter how much experience a person has, no matter how much knowledge they’ve picked up along the way or how good their research skills are, eventually everyone gets stumped.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were someone out there who knew everything? Who never got stumped, flustered or confused? And wouldn’t it be great if that person were just a click away at all times?

Well, there isn’t necessarily a person who can do all that, but the next best thing is “Ask an Expert” from the Big “I” Virtual University. Available to all Big “I” members, “Ask an Expert” is a one-stop shop for questions that can’t be answered in the research library, classrooms or student lounge areas of the VU.

Taking advantage of this feature couldn’t be easier. Members simply log in and fill out a form and their question gets routed to one of the VU experts. Questions are tracked and responses are compiled, so the questioner can expect and answer usually within three business days and often much sooner.

The VU experts have handled more than 10,000 requests to date on topics ranging from coverage and claims issues to questions about agency valuation. No matter what the question, from the simplest issue to the most complex, the VU experts either know how to answer it or will find someone who does.

So next time you find yourself stumped, don’t bang your head against the desk. Simply surf over to the Big “I” Virtual University and open up a dialogue with the best in the business. Visit the Big “I” Virtual University today at www.iiaba.net/VU.

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION
Register Now and Win an iPhone

The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be April 2-4, 2008 in Washington, D.C. The annual event offers agents an opportunity to experience advocacy, innovation and exhibits not available anywhere else. CNN political analyst Paul Begala and the host of MSNBC’s Tucker, Tucker Carlson, will give attendees an overview of the 2008 political season at the general session on April 4 at 4:30 p.m.

The Big “I” is offering early registrants an opportunity to enter a drawing for one of three iPhones. Three names will be drawn from the registration system at 12 p.m. EST on Feb. 1, 2008. The three recipients of the items will be listed on the Big “I” Web site and will be contacted to coordinate delivery. Those who have already registered don’t need to do anything else. Those registering at 12:01 p.m. EST or later on Feb. 1 will not be eligible for this opportunity. All attendees registered through Feb. 14 will receive over a 20% discount (exclusive of company representatives). Click here to find details about the event or to register online.

IA MAGAZINE
Ring in the New Year with the January Issue

Start 2008 off right --- check out the January edition of IA! Here’s a peak at what’s inside: “Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Bank,” a look at how banks in insurance are faring in today’s market; “Out of Options,” which includes practical advice on maintaining an agency’s value during perpetuation; “Practical Politics,” the story of an agent who ran for office in order to help the community, agency and customer; plus much more! Visit www.iamagazine.com for the issue’s Online Extras.