Follow Your Dreams” will be the theme at the 74th annual meeting of the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) to be held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla. from May 7-11, 2000.
“This year [the convention is] in Orlando at a site we’re very accustomed to,” said Leonard LoVullo, president and CEO of LoVullo Associates Inc. in Buffalo and AAMGA’s incoming president. “It’s always well attended. We expect a very good turnout. In round numbers, we’ll have about 1,000 this year.”
On the opening Sunday, May 7, the AAMGA University will be offering two morning and two afternoon courses. “The university is something that AAMGA is very proud of,” said Michael Grimaldi, of the Corporate Communications Group Inc. The four seminars will cover the themes of “Client Care,” “Perpetuation,” “Business Owners Policies” and “Seven Deadly Sins of Mismanagement-The Biggest Mistakes Great Leaders Make and What We Can Learn From Them.” Presenters will include Chris Behymer, AAMGA’s director of education, Dr. John Baucom and Dirk Nohre. That evening, attendees will have a chance for both socializing and relaxation at the “Key West Sunset Celebration” Opening Reception/Buffet.
Scheduled for the following day is keynote speaker George Will, a syndicated columnist from the Washington Post, who will address convention attendees at the Opening Breakfast on the subject of “Public Affairs, Public Policy & American Society.” Immediately after the Opening Breakfast will be the annual Spouse Coffee. The event will be hosted by Spouse Program Chair and First Lady Vickie Roe, and will serve as the kickoff for this year’s special events for that group. Later in the afternoon will be the 2000 Annual Golf Tournament, an event designed as a fundraiser for the AAMGA University.
Jeanne Corlew, director of meetings for AAMGA, said that this year’s Trade and Vendor Mart, held on May 9 and 10, is sure to be a highlight of the convention. “We were able to expand. We have five more additional booths that are going to be in the foyer, so we’re up to 75,” she said. “The MGAs are able to make one-on-one appointments ahead of time with the insurance companies that are at the show… At least three of the hours each day are for booked appointments. The rest of the time is for the members to go around and actually visit and talk with all the exhibitors there.”
LoVullo noted a surge in growth on the associate member side of the organization. “The vendor and company side has grown significantly,” he said. “There are several new members joining every quarter when we have our board meeting, so that has grown significantly. Today we have close to 500 members between associate and active.”
Speaking at the breakfast meeting on May 9 will be renowned quarterback Joe Theismann. In addition to a passing of the gavel from Outgoing President Jim Roe to LoVullo, an important part of the event will be the presentation of AAMGA’s education awards. At the spouse’s luncheon later in the day, Debbi Fields, of Mrs. Fields’ cookie fame, will take the podium.
On the final day of the convention, the UFO (Under Forty Organization) will sponsor a supersport activities event, during which team members will participate in water and land competitions. “UFO is the young and up-and-coming members of the association,” LoVullo said. “Most of them are sons and daughters of current owners of an office. I’ve found a way to get at least one to two UFO members on every committee, and I’m looking forward to that because this is our future.”
Finally, the convention will be capped off by a Gala Banquet, at which, after the completion of presentations and other orders of business, the stage will be turned over to legendary singer Tony Bennett.
It seems clear that this year the organization has lived up to its tradition of arranging for top notch speakers, entertainment and education. However, most parties agree that one of the most important aspects of this year’s gathering remains the networking opportunities it provides its members.
“AAMGA managing general agents are by trade and by profession a very creative, flexible, innovative people,” Grimaldi said. “They are truly free-marketeers in the insurance industry. They’re very good at finding coverage for risks that people don’t know they have…The primary reason [for the convention] is for members to meet, greet and do business with companies that provide products they sell.”
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