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Did anyone else attend the CA Agents Alliance in Palm Desert? General thoughts - the traffic at the trade show was extremely light. There were quite a few agents outside the show that didn't go in because they were told they had to pay $220 to walk a trade show. Seriously?

Another VP from a company who had a booth in the trade show was trying to get in and was told it would cost her $350 just to access the trade show. She was incensed to say the least. We overheard another company rep saying some lady from the Alliance uprated their hotel rooms because they put down they were producers and not company people.

Oh and security...the area was in full lock down mode, never seen anything like it - we had to show our badges not only to get into the trade show but while we were in, security kept coming around and making sure we had them on!

I think this is the last year our office will go - there is a new group called the BIG Insurance Group and they don't charge near what the Agents Alliance does. We loved the Alliance, it was really fun for years, but I think now, costs do matter - we can't afford to spend what the Alliance charges. We will try BIG - and let you all know what we find out.

I didn't attend, but your report jives with my feelings that for the prime audience of the Alliance, smaller to mid sized retail, personal lines agencies in California, this is not an optimistic time to be in business.

Growth is non existant from an organic basis, all of the old marketing methods that were familiar no longer work, there's enormous pressure from the on line companies, clients are very price conscious about everything, the real estate market is kaput and almost no new buyer or move-up markets, car sales are down, undocumented persons with a need for insurance are being driven out of the state or choose to forego auto insurance entirely, premiums are down, commissions are down, contingencies are down...and if you're still with me, none of this is any big surprise to the vast majority of smaller agency owners.

An Agency Alliance conference would or should be a time of celebration and attendees would be looking forward to continued growth and better times as they mix and mingle with peers and industry people, looking for something new to offer and grow with. Current conditions will cut attendance and there will be a general crankiness about costs. An agency that is in its third or fourth year of shrinkage, losing clients and premium to the low cost competition or the economy just isn't in a mood for this sort of spending. Sure, there were seminars about how to thrive in the current situation, but really, how much of that, especially if it comes at a subscription cost, is valid to agencies in the small size spectrum?

I'm not surprised.

As for the security issues...I suppose given the general paranoia about potential bad things happening, and the fact that the insurance industry isn't on the best loved lists, those protections just seem to be a sign of the times.

I attended the Agents Alliance 2010 Conference and thought it was excellent! I attended several workshops and received a wealth of information. I am now applying many of the excellent tips and advice that I received. This conference was well worth the registration fee. Also, I believe the comment on the cost was incorrect. The price stated was not just for the exhibits but, for all of the workshops including CE classes over a three day period. I will definitely be attending next year.

I attended the Alliance conference for the first time and had a positive experience. Must preface by saying I was a speaker in one of the classes and employed by a sponsor, but having prepaid and pre-registered, access to everything was seamless as long as you wore the stylish lanyard, which also held tickets for the events. Considering how tight budgets are for everyone and the cost of setting aside a venue like that, I can't blame the Alliance for taking measures to ensure all attendees were registered.

From inside, traffic was slower on Thursday, but progressively better on Friday and busy Saturday. The hugeness of the resort definitely spread things out. I could see how cost could be a factor since it wasn't budget accommodations, but I found it comfortable and easy to navigate. As far as fun, I did the poker tournament, hung out in the hospitality suites and attended the 80s and 70s parties which all provided nice distractions to the business at hand.

The mood ranged from cautious optimism to despair, mostly because agencies face a lot of complicated decisions. Smaller agencies have the toughest challenge, but the ones growing are focusing hyperlocally, maximizing existing accounts, and using new technology/media to reach people in their home town, and then expanding the footprint.

Also, in a panel of growing agency owners, each seemed to be running sales incentives with staff, some group-based, other individual, but all focused on morale and getting people to ask questions of prospects and be sales minded. I noticed quite a few newly licensed, single or two-person outfits just trying to get started as well.

I have no comparison with the BIG show you reference, just wanted to share my experience with the Alliance