Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the President and Executive Director of the Vermont Insurance Agents Association, I am pleased and excited to invite you to our annual convention at our new venue in beautiful Downtown Burlington.

This year's convention theme is "Changing Places... Changing Faces".  After several years success at the Basin Harbor Club, we have decided to bring our event to the Hilton Hotel just across the street from scenic Lake Champlain. We have also made a move from our traditional June dates to a September 20th and 21st format. We are hopeful that the new dates may fit better into everyone's ever increasingly busy schedules.

2010 also marks the end of a long and successful career for our Executive Director, Robert Coyle who will be retiring after 16 years at the helm of the VIAA. The Convention will be a great opportunity for us to all thank Bob for his commitment and dedication to our fine association and wish him well into the future. Beginning this summer, a new face will assume the directorship of the VIAA and set sail on a new era of programs and prosperity. What a great time to come together as friends and colleagues to celebrate the past and prepare for the future.

At our Gala Dinner on Monday evening we have the honor of hosting Robert Berkley, President & COO of the W. R. Berkley Corporation as our keynote speaker. It's quite a treat to have a man of his stature within the industry willing to come address us and share his wisdom. Tuesday will again be highlighted with our popular "President's Roundtable" featuring such distinguished gentlemen as Tom Van Berkel, Michael Christiansen and Jacob Scherer. We are so very pleased to have them on board.

Please plan on joining us on September 20th and 21st at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Burlington as together we see "Changing Places... Changing Faces". We look forward to seeing you and as many of your staff as possible.

Best Regards,

John J. Handy, CIC
2010 Convention Chair
VIAA President