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Industry News

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

House Minority Whip to Address Big “I”

House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will speak to Big “I” members during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.

“As the number two ranking Republican in the House, Minority Whip Blunt plays a critical role in shaping and advancing legislation affecting independent agents and brokers,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “Blunt is respected by his colleagues, and he’s a true mover and shaker in Congress. We’re looking forward to hearing his thoughts on insurance regulation, natural disaster, terrorism risk insurance  and other important topics facing our members, their businesses and our nation.”

With a background as a public servant, university president and administrator, Blunt came to Congress in 1997 and won his most recent election with 68% of the vote. He rose to become Majority Whip earlier in his career than any member of Congress in the past seven decades and was reelected to a third term as Republican whip in November 2006.

“We’re pleased to have Minority Whip Blunt address our members,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “Blunt will provide insight into the changed political landscape on Capitol Hill, along with his perspectives on legislative proposals of crucial importance to agents and salient issues facing our country.”

Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers and the industry’s largest and best-attended trade show. This year’s event will also include an interactive insurance panel discussion with representatives from the industry, consumer groups and regulators tackling top insurance industry trends and challenges. To register online and make hotel reservations, click here.

YOUNG AGENTS

Deadline for Scholarships Fast Approaching

At the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention, being held April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee will host seminars geared specifically toward young agents, including a first-timers reception, the Young Agents & InsurPac Chairs Luncheon, a hospitality event and the President’s Panel Breakfast with Big "I" leadership.

The Big "I" National YAC is offering each state association two $300 scholarships to assist young agents who will be first-time attendees. Scholarship funds will be paid to the order of the state association in May 2007. Interested young agents should return a completed application form to their state association by March 1 to be considered for a scholarship. It is up to the discretion of the state association to determine the recipients of these scholarships. Click here to download an application.

One first-time attendee will receive the $1,000 Maurice Herndon Scholarship to help defray the costs of attending. The young agent recipient will receive his or her scholarship check in May 2007 after the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention. To be eligible for the Herndon scholarship, you must be a young agent member (age 40 or younger) of the Big "I" who has not previously attended a Big "I" Legislative Conference, compose a 250-to-500-word essay describing why you should be considered for the scholarship and submit your essay and completed application form by March 1. Click here for the application. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.

BEST PRACTICES

Help Secure Your Agency’s Future

Best Practices products offer a broad range of tools designed to meet your agency’s performance evaluation, research and management needs, including tools like the "Agency Self-Diagnostic Tool," "Guide to Producer Contracts," "Customer Service Made Simple" and more. The Best Practices library continues to grow with the release of the "2006 Best Practices Study Update." This valuable tool, best used in conjunction with the "2004 Best Practices Study," details the inner workings of today’s most successful agencies and provides benchmarks to measure against your own agency’s performance.

Best Practices products effectively help agencies build success by understanding the past, analyzing the present and formulating a strategy for the future.

Visit the Best Practices Gateway to browse the latest research on top-rated agencies, rank performance against the Best Practices agencies, download useful tools to improve performance and share opinions and experiences on agency management issues. The Gateway also provides a Performance Quick Check that compares your agency’s performance in seven areas critical to agency value and gives an overall weighed performance score. With the score page, you can drill down to specific information for assessing and improving agency performance in the seven areas. Readers also can review a complete menu of all available Best Practices resources, download samples and obtain ordering information. For more information on Best Practices, click here or e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net.

InVEST

Preview Silent Auction Items

Don’t miss your chance to support the next generation of industry professionals. Participate in the InVEST Silent Auction and support the program’s annual scholarships awarded to graduates of InVEST who are pursuing higher education with an emphasis on insurance.

The InVEST board of directors will hold the 2007 InVEST silent auction during the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention, being held April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The InVEST Silent Auction will open on Thursday, April 26 at 6 p.m. and will close on Friday, April 27 at 1 p.m. Be sure to keep an eye on your bid---the InVEST Silent Auction is a popular event.

Click here for more information on the InVEST Silent Auction, including updates on the auction items.

A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry giving students a new outlook on the future. The program offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits. For more information, contact Sandra Skipper at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.

InsurBanc

Equipment Leasing Program Now Available

InsurBanc recently introduced Agents’ Express Leasing, a new equipment leasing plan for agencies and their clients.

Terms for most equipment leases are available at 24, 36, 48 or 60 months with a minimum transaction of $5,000. For maximum convenience, you can finance most out-of-pocket expenses, such as installation, freight, software and training. No down payments or advance payments are required, and monthly payments can be customized to meet your special business needs.

InsurBanc is a federally charted savings bank serving independent insurance agents, brokers and their clients. It was founded with input from insurance agents and the Big “I.” For more information on the program, click here.

IA MAGAZINE

Renew Your Free Subscription Today

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 IA subscription questions to Jill Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net.