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T H U R S D A Y , A P R I L 5 , 2 0 0 7
Industry News
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION
Cole to Address Big “I” Leadership Luncheon
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) will speak to Big “I” national leaders on April 24, just prior to the group’s Legislative Conference & Convention.
Attendees at the leadership gathering will include Big “I” Executive Committee and Government Affairs Committee members as well as agents and brokers from Cole’s home state of Oklahoma and other agent and broker leaders.
More than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country are expected to participate in the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, 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.
“We’re pleased to have Rep. Cole address our association’s leaders,” says Big “I” CEO Robert Rusbuldt. “As part of the House leadership, he will provide insight on the new Congress and the current political landscape as well as what issues independent agents and brokers can expect on Capitol Hill in the coming months.”
Elected to Congress in 2002, Chairman Cole immediately put his past political experience as an NRCC staffer to work, becoming very active at the House Republican campaign committee. He assumed the chairmanship earlier this year. Rep. Cole has also been a advocate for his district and the people of Oklahoma, establishing himself as a strong voice for national defense, small businesses and taxpayers.
“Our association’s leaders are politically active and engaged on the issues that matter to their business,” says Charles Symington Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “We know that they will appreciate Rep. Cole’s perspective on regulation, natural disaster issues, McCarran-Ferguson repeal and other topics important to independent agents and brokers.”
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 McCarran-Ferguson antitrust repeal, 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 also will 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.
Add Life to Your Agency Mix
Join industry leaders as they discuss how to introduce and/or increase the sale of life insurance to agencies’ personal lines customers during the Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention. MetLife Auto & Home's Independent Agent Organization will hold a presentation from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., April 27, on their unique riders, such as a guaranteed option to purchase long-term care insurance, that offer agents the chance to sell life insurance quickly and easily. Let MetLife help introduce another revenue stream that will help keep the right balance of product offerings to ensure an agency's continuous success. For more information, contact Christine Muñoz at 800-848-4401; christine.munoz@iiaba.net.
Live Auction at Large Agent & Broker Dinner
The exciting Large Agent & Broker dinner will be held in conjunction with the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention at 7 p.m. on April 26 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D,C. During this event, a live auction will take place and attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a package prize to the college football Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national title game in New Orleans in 2008. This incredible auction item covers tickets, airfare and hotel for the BCS event. Going once…going twice…sold! For more information, contact Bill Pierson at 703-706-5400; bill.pierson@iiaba.net.
YOUNG AGENTS
Attend President’s Panel Breakfast
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, 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, Then 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 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 April 25 through 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 even during Big “I” Legislative 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" NATIONAL FLOOD PROGRAMSM
Spring is Time to Think Flood
If you are not completely fluent in flood insurance, you’re not alone---but free help is available. Both the NFIP and FEMA provide a wealth of marketing support information on their Web sites: www.fema.gov/business/nfip, www.floodsmart.gov and
www.agents.floodsmart.gov. Remember to remind clients that property policies such as the homeowner and commercial package policies do not cover flood. So to protect against the peril of flood a separate policy, such as the NFIP Flood Policy that is offered direct or through one of the write-your-own companies, must be purchased. To learn more about the Big "I" Flood ProgramSM, visit www.independentagent.com/Flood or contact Linda Mackey at linda.mackey@iiaba.net.
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