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T H U R S D A Y , M A R C H 1 5 , 2 0 0 7
Industry News
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION
Rep. Wasserman Schultz to Address Big “I”
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a rising star of the Democratic party and a member of House leadership as the chief deputy whip, will speak at the Young Agents/InsurPac luncheon April 25 during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“Rep. Wasserman Schultz has quickly risen to prominence as a leader in the House,” says Charles E. Symington Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “As a former member of the House Financial Services Committee, she is well versed in the issues that are important to independent agents and brokers, and we’re looking forward to hearing her thoughts on insurance regulation, natural disaster issues and other topics.”
Wasserman Schultz began her political career at age 26 as a member of the Florida House—the youngest female legislator in the history of Florida. She was elected to the House to represent Florida’s 20th district in 2004, and served on the House Financial Services Committee in her first term. In addition to her role in House Democrat leadership, she currently is a House Appropriations Subcommittee Chair and a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Additionally, she was recently named to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline program, an effort designed to help vulnerable Democrats win reelection.
“Rep. Wasserman Schultz is well suited to speak to the Big ‘I’ Young Agents and InsurPac chairs because she has made such a big impact so early in her political career,” says Nathan Riedel, Big “I” vice president of political affairs. “We know she will be able to share great insights into how our members can get involved in the political process.”
Each year during the legislative conference, Big “I” agents and brokers hold hundreds of meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share their perspective on how legislation affects their business. Top issues this year include the McCarran-Ferguson Act, insurance regulatory reform, terrorism risk insurance, natural disaster insurance and more.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, the industry’s largest trade show, the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill and appearances by numerous high-profile speakers, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). 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
A Young Agent LC&C Experience
Each year, the National Young Agents Committee awards one young agent the Maurice Herndon Award, a scholarship presented to a first-time attendee of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Held in Washington D.C. each April, the event gives agents an opportunity to visit with state legislators, company representatives, industry leaders and other agents throughout the nation.
The 2006 award winner, Bryan Clinkscales of Boone-Ritter Insurance had an opportunity to have lunch with his congressional representatives who shared their stance on issues, but most importantly they were available to listen to him.
“We were able to share our point of view on issues such as federal regulation,” Clinkscales says. “We have a voice. We had their attention.”
As the past chair of the Arkansas Young Agents Committee, Clinkscales also understands the value of networking with young agents from other state associations.
“I got to meet young agents across the country,” he says. “We all have the same issues.”
From advocacy to innovation to exhibits, the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is a wonderful platform for any independent agent to visit the movers, shakers and decision makers that can impact the independent agent system.
“If any agent is given the opportunity to attend, they should be sure to take it. It is definitely worth your time and money to go,” Clinkscales says.
The 2007 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park. For more information or to register, click here.
2007 Herndon Scholarship Winner Announced
Misty Longfellow Kriskovich, a Montana young agent with Hobson Insurance, is the recipient of the 2007 $1,000 Maurice Herndon Scholarship.
Kriskovich was selected from a group of young agents who hadn’t previously attended a Big “I” Legislative Conference and submitted essays explaining why they should be considered for the award. The National Young Agents Committee extends their thanks to all the young agents who participated in this year’s competition.
For more information about the Young Agents events taking place during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, April 25 through 27, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., click here or contact Katie Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.
IIABA NEWS
Big “I” Announces Changes to Federal Affairs Staff
Jason Spence recently joined the Big “I” as its new assistant vice president for federal government affairs.
Spence comes to the Big “I” from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he served as senior advisor to the assistant secretary for financial institutions. He coordinated all policy areas in the assistant secretary’s jurisdiction, including insurance regulatory reform, terrorism insurance, banking, capital markets and Sarbanes-Oxley Act issues. Prior to his tenure at the treasury, Spence worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative counsel handling financial services issues. He also practiced law at Chaffe McCall in New Orleans. Spence is a graduate of Tulane University Law School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.
“Jason’s background in financial services will allow him to hit the ground running on the issues important to independent agents and brokers. We will put that experience to work immediately as Jason joins the Big ‘I’ during a very busy time for the industry on Capitol Hill,” says Charles Symington Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “We are pleased to welcome Jason as a member of our federal government affairs team.”
Spence replaces Brendan Reilly, who recently accepted a position as the senior vice president of government relations for the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association (CMSA). In his new role, Reilly will lead the lobbying efforts for CMSA, an international trade association representing the commercial real estate capital market finance industry.
In addition, Elizabeth Furey, who has been with the Big “I” since 2005, is assuming the new title of director of federal government affairs & grassroots. Furey will continue her grassroots work while expanding her role to formally join the federal lobbying team. Prior to joining the Big “I,” Furey worked in the Capitol Hill office of Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.). She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
“Liz is a tremendous resource and we are happy to recognize her considerable contributions to the Big ‘I’ with this promotion,” Symington says. “With so many issues coming before Congress that are important to our members, we are happy to have both Jason and Liz on the federal affairs team in their new roles.”
InVEST
Apply for an InVEST Scholarship
Every year, InVEST awards scholarships to students participating in a high school or community college InVEST class and pursuing higher education with an emphasis on insurance or a related business field.
Click here to download the InVEST scholarship application and to learn more about eligibility and requirements. Applications and essay entries must be received by April 27. InVEST encourages agents involved in the program to begin promoting the scholarships now to help raise the level of awareness for students.
InVEST also sponsors a Teacher of the Year award which acknowledges an InVEST teacher who has made substantial contributions to his or her InVEST students. The Dach Award is bestowed upon InVEST industry liaisons dedicated to their InVEST students. Both the InVEST Teacher of the Year and Dach Award submissions are due on April 27. Click here for more information.
For more information, click here or contact Amber Williamson at 703-706-5425; amber.williamson@iiaba.net.
BEST PRACTICES
Customer Service Made Simple
Today, most agencies focus on increasing sales and enhancing agency value. As a result, offering great customer service may get overlooked. Many industry studies have shown that customer service is the third most important factor influencing a purchasing decision, ranking after confidence and quality. But sales won’t matter if the customer is quickly lost through poor customer service. The damage increases further when lost customers tell others about their poor experience.
So, what defines great customer service? It starts with making sure everyone throughout an organization understands the customer’s needs and is able to address them while exceeding expectations. Everyone needs to be prepared for the first time a customer or prospect initiates contact. Also, offering great customer service isn’t limited to just the customer service team. Every person in the organization needs to believe in offering great customer service. Just as a quick example, a call to add a car to a policy may be misrouted and get to someone on the finance team. How will they handle it? Everyone in an office needs to be prepared to interact when a customer contacts them. That can happen in the office, on the phone or outside of work.
Make delivering excellent service in the agency a priority today and make it simple. The Best Practice Program offers “Customer Service Made Simple,” an easy-to-use guide to make superior customer service an ongoing opportunity for growth in any agency, and provide a great assessments of the opportunities available to ensure that an agency successfully implements a consistent culture of service.
Why not order a copy of this simple workbook for all the service personnel in your office and see how providing great service can add to the bottom line. Order five or more copies before April 15 and save 50% off the single copy price. Click here to download a discounted order form.
Visit the Best Practices area of the Big “I” Web site at www.independentagent.com today. For more information about making an agency a part of the Best Practice program, contact Madelyn Flannagan at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.
BIG “I” MARKETS
New Products Available
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Learn more about this product at www.bigimarkets.com by logging in and clicking on the commercial products menu.
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