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Industry News

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

Industry’s Biggest Event is Two Weeks Away

The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is just around the corner, but registration is still open. The event will be held April 25- 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. Agents will have an opportunity to meet with members of Congress, attend workshops and network in the exhibit hall.

Don’t miss these events:

April 25
11 a.m.      First-Time Young Agents Attendee Reception

12 p.m.      Young Agents and InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman (D-Fla.)

2 p.m.        Young Agents tours

4 p.m.        Legislative issues briefing (agents only)

6 p.m.        Reception on Capitol Hill


April 26
7 a.m.        Legislative Conference Breakfast with speakers Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) House Minority Whip, Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)

10 a.m.      Agents lobby on Capitol Hill

6 p.m.        Tradeshow opening party/ InVEST Silent Auction


April 27
7:30 a.m.    Best Practices workshop: “Analysis for Improving Your Agency Performance”

7:30 a.m.    Workshop: “Recruitment and Compensation Strategies for Your Non-Producer Staff”

8 a.m.         Young Agents Breakfast & President’s Panel with Big “I” Leadership (By invitation, only)

9:30 a.m.    Exhibit Hall Open and InVEST Silent Auction

10:30 a.m.  InsurBanc workshop: “Financial Strategies to Maximize Your Agencies Value”

10:30 a.m.  MetLife workshop: “Add Life to Your Agency”

1 p.m.         Workshop: “The Proactive Sales Model”

1 p.m.         Best Practices workshop: “Power of Change 2007”

2:30 p.m.    Exhibit hall opens and InVEST Silent Auction pick-up

4:35 p.m.    Convention general session with keynote speaker Bill O’Reilly

Insurance Panel & Town Hall Meeting with: Robert Rusbuldt, CEO, IIABA; Bob Hunter, director of Insurance Consumer Federation of America; Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND); Roger Sevigny, insurance commissioner, New Hampshire and vice president, NAIC; Alex Soto, president, IIABA; and Tom Van Berkel, chairman, president and chief executive officer, The Main Street America Group

6:30 p.m.   Closing Reception

To register online and make hotel reservations, click here. 

TRUSTED CHOICE^®

Oregon Mutual Joins Trusted Choice^®

Oregon Mutual Insurance Company has become the latest independent agency system insurance group to join the Trusted Choice^® consumer brand movement. Oregon Mutual, based in McMinnville, OR, is an independent mutual insurance company that has been serving the insurance needs of people in Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho for more than 100 years.

“We recognize the value that independent agents bring to insurance consumers. Oregon Mutual relies on the expertise and professionalism of these agents to convey the unique value that we bring to the market.” says Brian Steffel, vice president of marketing, of Oregon Mutual Insurance Company. "We are proud to participate in the Trusted Choice^® branding campaign as a way to differentiate the products and services offered by Oregon Mutual and independent agents."

“Oregon Mutual is an ideal company partner,” says Dave Evans, executive director of Trusted Choice^®. “They have a long history of using independent agents to meet their policyholders’ needs.”

“Oregon Mutual understands the value of branding the independent agency distribution force as the best in the nation,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” CEO. “They have had a strong tradition of working with independent agents and we look forward to having Trusted Choice^® add to that tradition.”

Oregon Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1894 by a local group concerned about the affordability of insurance. They currently serve more than 120,000 policyholders in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California, providing exceptional service that reflects their customer-centric corporate mission, to "Earn the trust of our customers and provide peace of mind by delivering superior insurance products and service.”

YOUNG AGENTS

Don’t Miss These YAC Events

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 and the always-popular President’s Panel breakfast with Big “I” leadership. 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 25-27. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 703-776-5455; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.


InVEST

InVEST Silent Auction Features “Buy Now” Option

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. This year, InVEST is offering a new “buy now” option that will allow bidders to purchase a few select auction items at the “buy now” price on Thursday night only. To purchase one of these items, bidders must let the InVEST staff know they would like to purchase one of the specifically marked items. Payment must be rendered and items must be picked up by the conclusion of the opening party in the exhibit hall on April 26. As with all auction items, everything is sold “as is” and all sales are final. There will be no exchanges or refunds are permitted.

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.


Live Auction at Large Agent & Broker Dinner

The Large Agent & Broker Dinner will be held in conjunction with the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. During this event, a live auction will take place with attendees given 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.


EDUCATION

ACSR Program Delivers Quality Training

Achievement, confidence, success, rewards. CSRs and agency personnel working for independent insurance agencies and brokers must have all of these in order to be the best in their critical positions. The ACSR designation program was designed by the Big "I" in conjunction with AICPCU/IIA, the most prestigious authority in insurance education, to provide CSRs and agency personnel with the highest quality education and training available.

Achievement - The ACSR designation program allows CSR’s and agency personnel the ability to earn distinctive designations in three different areas of expertise – personal lines, commercial lines and life-health. These designations are like earning a degree in the insurance business, giving CSRs a sense of accomplishment and pride in their careers.  As an added benefit, ACSR technical courses can be approved for state continuing education credits.

Confidence - By earning one or more of the ACSR designations, CSRs and agency personnel gain a heightened awareness of E&O exposures and better account development skills which will generate increased professionalism and self-assurance in their own abilities.

Success – ACSR-designated professionals learn the technical expertise needed to achieve and maintain a competitive edge in the independent insurance agency system, a critical necessity in today’s ever-changing world of insurance.

Rewards - Through the ACSR designation program, CSRs, agency personnel and agencies alike will gain many valuable benefits including increased customer satisfaction and account retention, reduced E&O exposures and increased sales. ACSRs are also recognized annually during National ACSR Tribute Day and at the National ACSR of the Year competition. In addition ACSR offers scholarships in conjunction with NAIW (International).

The ACSR designation is the only program to offer CSRs triple designation potential, and triple access options. ACSR courses are available in classroom, self-study and online through the Big “I” Virtual University, allowing CSRs and agency principals to choose what works best for their situation. For more information on the ACSR program contact your local state association or visit  www.independentagent.com, or send an e-mail to  ACSR@iiaba.net.


Elite Force Sales Training Registration Open

Make plans to attend the most comprehensive insurance sales training course available – Elite Force Sales Training, where students average more than $62,000 in first-year commissions.

Elite Force Sales Training is designed to be a complete training program for newer producers (recommended for agents with less than three years in sales and less than five in the insurance industry) who have a basic understanding of the sales process and seek the foundation of a strong sales skills program.

Students will benefit from 12 full days of training, done in three-day segments, and work with experienced instructors who will utilize practical education, books and videos from the industry’s best. Students who attend all sessions, complete the homework and reporting requirements will earn the Associate in Insurance Production (AIP) designation.

Here’s a small sample of the topics covered: time management, personality traits, negotiation skills, consultative relationship building, presentation skills, carrier relationships, how to involve the sales/CSR team, conflict and politics, Best Practices and creating a sales culture, business etiquette and setting, measuring and tracking goals.

In fact, goal setting and reporting are the "written" requirements of earning the AIP designation, an additional benefit of attending the Elite Force Sales Training sessions. Instead of the traditional paper and pen academic testing of most designations, the AIP requires instead that each student submit a written report each month that tracks activities and production results.

Class size is limited to 15 students to ensure everyone receives individual attention. Click here to review the schedule, investment, detailed curriculum, meet the instructors and more. For more information on Elite Force Sales Training, call 800-221-7917 and speak to the education department or email Jennifer Becker at jennifer.becker@iiaba.net.