|
|
 |
 |
T H U R S D A Y , M A R C H 2 9 , 2 0 0 7 Industry News LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION Lieberman to Speak to Big “I” Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
With more than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country in attendance, Lieberman will be a featured speaker at a breakfast on April 26 along with House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will address the large agent and broker dinner on Thursday evening. 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.
“Sen. Lieberman is a highly respected and effective leader and legislator, and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on important issues for the insurance industry and our country,” says Big “I” CEO Robert Rusbuldt. “Joe Lieberman is the conscience of the Senate, and he is a true mover and shaker in Washington and on the international scene. There is no one who understands the importance of reaching across the political aisle more than Joe Lieberman, which gives him a very unique perspective on how to navigate Congress and get things done.”
Lieberman has earned a national reputation as a thoughtful, principled and effective legislator. Now in his fourth term representing Connecticut in the Senate, he is well known for his vice presidential run in 2000, and winning reelection to the Senate as an Independent. He is currently Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
“We’re honored to have Sen. Lieberman as a speaker,” says Charles Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “He holds one of the most pivotal votes in the Senate on a variety of issues, and our members will benefit from hearing his perspective.”
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 repeal of the limited McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption, insurance regulatory reform, natural disaster issues, terrorism risk insurance and more.
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 go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
Spring Into the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention With spring time arrives cherry blossoms, tax season and the most important meeting of the year for independent agents: the national Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held April 25 through 27 in Washington, D.C. Agents in attendance can look forward to presentations by Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). With the leadership shift in Congress, it is vital that agents come to Capitol Hill to educate their members of Congress on the issues that matter most to their businesses. The event also includes a series of Best Practices workshops, the Ultimate Producer Challenge and the best attended industry tradeshow of the year---all in one location at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. This year, agents will experience a new twist on the general session panel discussion lead by Big “I” CEO Bob Rusbuldt, which will include representatives from the industry, consumer groups, regulators and legislators. Emmy award-winning commentator Bill O’Reilly will cap off the general session program as the keynote speaker.
To register for the event, click here.
IIABA NEWS Calling all Agents: 2007-2008 Committees, Task Forces, Board Appointments Nothing the Big “I” does in planning for the next year is more important than the perpetuation of IIABA’s committee, task force and board structure. In an effort to broaden IIABA’s reach, agents interested in serving on any of the committees, task forces and boards are invited to submit their own appointment request form. The Big “I” encourages those who have not previously been active at the national level to consider getting involved now, including young agents and multicultural agents. Those interested in being considered for any of the positions, please complete a separate committee/task force/board appointment request form for each committee/task force you are interested in serving on and submit each form by April 12 in accordance with the directions on the bottom of the form. For more information about a particular committee or task force, its current activities or the frequency of its meetings, contact Cathy Spencer at cathy.spencer@iiaba.net.
YOUNG AGENTS Special Events for Young Agents The National Young Agents Committee is offering events geared specifically for up-and-coming leaders at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Special sessions include: a first-timers reception, the Young Agent attendee and InsurPac chairs luncheon, a hospitality event, bus tour of Embassy Row and the always-popular President’s Panel breakfast with Big “I” leadership. Joining Big “I” President Alex Soto on the President’s Panel are: Spencer Donkin, senior vice president, sales & distribution, Safeco Insurance; Bob Restrepo, chairman, CEO and president ,State Auto Insurance Companies; John Lynch, executive vice president, head of U.S. small business, Zurich North America; and James Hyatt, president of personal lines, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.
Young agents will gain valuable legislative and leadership skills at this ground-breaking insurance industry event. The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C. April 25 through 27. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.
InVEST Participate in Silent Auction Don’t miss the 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, April 25-27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The InVEST Silent Auction will open on at 6 p.m., April 26 and will close at 1 p.m., April 27. Be sure to keep an eye on bids – the InVEST Silent Auction is a popular event during the conference and convention.
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.
Click here to access information regarding the InVEST Silent Auction including updates on the great auction items. Visit www.independentagent.com and click here to download a contribution form. For more information, contact Sandra Skipper at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.
BIG “I” MARKETSSM BIM Hosts Product Webinar
Big "I" MarketsSM is offering a free Webinar that will focus on the ins and outs of the Fireman's Fund Prestige portfolio of products for high-net worth, affluent households in the market. The Webinar will be held at 2 p.m. ET on April 3. The first 10 people to call in for the Webinar will receive a gift certificate from Target, compliments of Fireman's Fund, but registration is required. To register, eemail your name, agency name and phone number to bigimarkets@iiaba.net. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with information on how to call in to the Webinar. To learn more about the affluent homeowner offerings, go to www.bigimarkets.com.
|
|
