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Are You the Ultimate Producer? | Hurricane Season is Here....Is Your Agency Ready? |
The Ultimate InVEST Silent Auction in the Ultimate Location | 2005 Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference | Sneak Peak at June Issue | Industry News

B I G   "I"   C O N V E N T I O N
Are You the Ultimate Producer?

Have you discovered the best mix of personality, salesmanship and technical expertise to write just about any piece of business that you want? If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you could be chosen to compete in "The Ultimate Producer Challenge" at the 2005 Big "I" Convention in New York City on Sept. 12.

The Challenge will include 20 producers along with insurance sales expert Roger Sitkins for a day of competition, networking, and fun to find out who really is the "The Ultimate Producer."

The producers chosen to participate in the Challenge will go through a series of group and individual sales exercises and tests on Sept. 12, 2005 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the Challenge, producers will be eliminated from the competition based upon their performance, as determined by the Challenge judges. The Ultimate Producer selected from the Challenge will be announced during the Convention’s closing General Session on Sept. 12. Are you "The Ultimate Producer"? Click here to apply! For more information, contact Madelyn Flannagan at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.  T O P

B E S T   P R A C T I C E S
Hurricane Season is Here....Is Your Agency Ready?

Forecasters at Colorado State University predicted the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season would be "very active," with 15 named tropical storms and eight hurricanes. In a report released Tuesday, CSU’s Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP) forecasts half of those hurricanes will develop into major hurricanes ranked as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane strength.

There are more than 300 types of disasters that can interrupt your business. For many agencies, the real tragedy occurs after a disaster: They have excellent business interruption insurance, but no disaster recovery plan. Without one, down-time can be considerable and, worse yet, market share may never be fully recovered after a serious business interruption.

Don’t wait for a disaster to strike your agency or your clients’ businesses. Be proactive with "The Best Practices of Crisis Management." It’s a unique, CD-based software package that will quickly get you started in recovery planning, leading you through the disaster recovery process. With "The Best Practices of Crisis Management—A Step-By-Step Business Recovery Planner," you can create a comprehensive continuity plan without the aid of a consultant. This tool includes a written manual and an interactive CD designed to enable you to create an in-house, fully customized plan to lead your agency step-by-step through the recovery process. A good business recovery plan will reduce the amount of a business interruption claim, reduce the number of days it takes to recover after a loss and ease the emotional trauma for your clients and the companies you represent.

Click here to download an order form. For more information about Best Practices, click here. 
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I N V E S T
The Ultimate InVEST Silent Auction in the Ultimate Location

The 2005 InVEST Silent Auction will be held in September during the Big "I" Convention in New York City. Due to space restrictions, the auction will feature a total of 30 items from the following categories: "Getaways   & Sports Weekends," "Fine Jewelry" and "Technology Tools." Additional donations are certainly welcome and will be reserved for the 2006 silent auction at the Big "I" event in Washington, D.C. All proceeds from these events support InVEST’s annual scholarships awarded to graduates of the program pursuing higher education with an insurance emphasis. Proceeds from the 2004 auction helped to fund $40,000 in InVEST scholarships to be awarded this month to 13 graduates in the form of three $5,000 and 10 $2,500 scholarships.

InVEST, a 501(c)3 educational trust, introduces high school and community college students to the more than 350 diverse careers available in the insurance industry. The program furnishes graduates with a basic insurance education and the career-building financial and business skills they need to assume entry-level positions within the agency or company ranks. Not only is InVEST instrumental in securing the future insurance industry workforce, it is a gateway to a better future for many of the participating students. Program graduates gain a new perspective on careers in insurance, and agencies, brokers and carriers are introduced to a new and diverse group of talented recruits. Your donation to silent auction will help support their higher education.  Click here   to download a contribution form. For more information about the auction, contact Sandra Skipper, at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.  T O P

Y O U N G   A G E N T S
2005 Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference

The rising stars of the insurance industry will take over New York City at this year’s Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference. The ultimate experience for the next generation of industry leaders, this event brings together young agents and brokers from across the country to network with peers and company partners, develop sales and leadership skills and learn about the latest industry trends and technology. Whether you’re new to the industry or already in a leadership role in your agency or association, this event benefits all young agents and brokers regardless of experience and helps create a solid foundation for long-term success. As an added benefit, when you register for the Sales & Leadership Conference, you are automatically registered for the Big "I" Convention at no additional cost. Being committed means being involved. Attend the New York Sales & Leadership Conference and gain invaluable career experience. Click here to register online and make hotel reservations. For more information, contact Leslie Mularski, National Young Agents Program Director, at 703-706-5459; leslie.mularski@iiaba.net.  T O P

I A   M A G A Z I N E
Sneak Peak at June Issue

Be on the lookout for the June issue of Independent Agent magazine to arrive in your mailbox in the next few days. The issue contains a comprehensive wrap up of the 2005 National Legislative Conference, complete with photos of President George W. Bush and the other political leaders who spoke to Big "I" agents and brokers at the event. Also included in the issue: "Don’t Become Phish Food," "Stepping into Management Shoes," "Decipher Health Alphabet Soup" and "Get Some Group Think."   T O P