Another Round Begins

Well, if the old saying, “Time flies when you are having fun,” is true, I must have had a lot of fun! It’s hard to believe I joined Insurance Journal over a year ago–and am about to start attending annual events for the second time.

I started with Insurance Journal at a busy time of the year, the 2004 hurricane season–and here we go again! As I write this Hurricane Katrina has come and gone. This year, despite the fact there have been more tropical depressions, it seems to have been less violent than last year–but of course we’re only halfway into the hurricane season, so the next four months could still be interesting.

It’s interesting to note that many of the association events I attended last year in Florida ARE being held again here this fall–I guess last year’s hurricanes didn’t scare anyone off. One would think conventioneers, and especially insurance-related conferees would think it might be better to hold conferences in Florida after, not during the hurricane season.

I’ve learned a lot about the insurance industry and its concerns during the past year by attending state and national meetings and conferences. These included, to name only a few, the “Big I”, Professional Insurance Agents, the National Council of Insurance Commissioners, and a wide assortment of events in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

One thing I have learned is that it’s impossible to cover everything at once. A good example of this occurred in June, when three Big “I” associations, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, ALL held conventions in Destin, Fla.–and all back-to-back! I wrote stories about two out of three. It would help a lot if industry sources would keep me informed further in advance about their upcoming schedule. I might actually have been able to attend all three conferences if I had known their programs details more in advance.

Please remember that I am VERY interested in news and insurance industry events planned by all insurance associations anywhere in the nine states I cover: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

I have to plan my calendar as far in advance as possible to make sure everyone’s events are covered, and of course would like provide advance information about upcoming conferences and events to our readers so they can also plan their schedule.

Upcoming events already on my fall calendar include Big “I” meetings in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and West Virginia; and seminars and meetings planned by the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida and the Chartered Professional Insurance Agents of Florida.

Whether or not I attend other events depends on you, I’m anxious to cover each and every news event taking place in my territory–but it’s up to YOU to let me know what you have planned so I can do my best to cover it, writing an advance story for our Web site and the magazine, and in person.

Topics Florida Georgia Hurricane Alabama