FAIA Celebrates Its 101st Anniversary: General Session Features Four Experts

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents will celebrate its 101st anniversary during its June 23 to 25 Convention and Educational Symposium at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

“I continue to be amazed at the momentum our annual convention has experienced during the last several years,” Jeff Grady, FAIA president and CEO said. “In an era when these types of meetings are falling off, FAIA’s just keeps getting bigger and better by just about any measurement. I think it has a lot to do with the format that our members changed a few years ago. Rather than just a nice party, today’s FAIA convention is one where business gets done.”

The exhibit hall was sold out more than a month before the conference date, with more than 200 exhibitors, the largest number in the association’s history. Hospitality rooms were also sold out, with numerous parties hosted by insurance industry sponsors. The exhibit hall will feature a popular area in which exhibitors will demonstrate products and services.

There will be four presentations during the June 24 general session:

“A View on Success,” by Roger Looyenga, CEO of Auto-Owners Insurance. The many challenges that Florida agents face, including decreased commission levels and increased workloads will be discussed.

According to Looyenga, Florida agents face one additional challenges most agents in other states don’t face-property insurance availability. Yet many Florida agencies have a high level of success. Looyenga will talk about Florida’s unique challenges and successes by addressing: Profit sharing; insurance scoring; a suggested solution for property insurance; why the independent agent is the wave of the future; and what the best agencies do to earn their success.

“‘L’eadership: R.O.I.,” by Raymond C. Thomas, CEO of Zurich North America Small Business. Thomas will give an interactive presentation exploring the key ingredients of Leadership and provide hints for “brushing up” on the Leadership Challenge. He will reveal why property/casualty industry results challenge survivability, innovation, creativity and problem-solving. Thomas will take a look at what he calls, the “L” word and how it translates to best practices and financial success.

“The Power of One Brand-Trusted Choice!,” will feature a panel session in which experts will discuss the evolution of the Trusted Choice brand. What’s its prognosis and why should agents care? The panel, moderated by FAIA President Grady, will feature panelists Tom Van Berkel, president, CEO and COO of National Grange Mutual Insurance Co.; Ron Smith, IIABA past president; Alex Soto, IIABA vice president, and FAIA past chairman; and Ron Sachs, president of Ron Sachs Communications.

“The Art of the Steal,” will be presented by security expert Frank Abagnale, a world-famous confidence man depicted in the best-selling book and movie, “Catch Me if You Can.” Abagnale is an authority on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. He will discuss knowledge obtained first hand as a teenager and as a consultant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Saturday’s business and awards luncheon will celebrate the contributions of agents who have influenced the quality of life in the insurance industry. FAIA will present well-deserved awards and install its officers and directors.

Educational credits

Educational symposiums will feature 14 breakout sessions and up to 12 hours of continuing education credits. A myriad of subjects will be presented by the best instructors in the country, including:

“E&O Policy Analysis and Comparison,” in which Jay Williams will discuss the twists and turns in the world of insurance that can make even the most experienced insurance person dizzy. Participants will learn how to analyze and compare coverages while minimizing E&O exposure.

“Ethics and the Insurance Professional,” with Bill Perkins, will teach participants how to determine right from wrong and what to do in a dilemma involving right vs. right. One of the scenarios discussed will be what to do if a client needs coverage for a closing in a hurry and you have a quote, but know a better one is due soon from another carrier-but may not arrive in time for the closing.

“Agency Catastrophe Planning, with David Thompson and Kay Bishop, will discussed catastrophe planning and how to be ready. Thompson and Bishop will describe planning information and show what can happen if you are not prepared.

“Life and Health Insurance,” with Tom Ashley, will discuss nuts-and-bolts for the multi-line agent and how to keep up with the changes in laws and rules which impact the life and health insurance business.

“Joint Agency/Company Planning,” with Lisa Harrington, is a best-practices course that will explain the use of the joint agency/company planning tool and how it can help independent agencies and their company partners develop stronger, more profitable relationships.

“The Retail Agents Guide to Successfully Using the Wholesale Market,” with David W. Henry, is a one-of-a-kind program offering unique real-world perspective for retail agents. This program will provide critical insight into the key do’s-and-don’ts for agents placing business with wholesale brokers, MGAs and excess and surplus lines brokers.

“Position Yourself as an Insurance Expert,” with Edwin L. Lamont, will discuss steps an agent can take to promote expertise and ways to attract prospects.

“Reinsurance and Your Carrier,” with Elaine Garceau, will teach about the types of reinsurers and the purpose and functions of reinsurance. Garceau will explain various types of treaty reinsurance, its effect on a carrier’s capacity and explain how reinsurance affects a carrier’s financial statement.

“Extended Services for the Changing Needs of Your Business-Tools to Better Serve Your Policyholders and Round Out Your Disaster Plans,” will be discussed by Richard Roy. Agency preparations will be discussed and how to meet changing behaviors of the next and changing generations. The goal is to show how to expand customer service to improve the efficiency of an agency, deliver a competitive advantage and protect the agent’s ability to operate during a disaster.

“Professional Field Underwriting 2: Providing ‘ECS’ in the Private Passenger Auto Market,” by Tom Freeland, is designed to prepare agents to properly field, underwrite and service a private passenger policy.

“Managing Your Global Insurance Program,” with Tony Stevens, will discuss international exposure and accessing the global economy.

“Retirement Planning for Insurance Agents,” with Clint Day and Donna Day, will provide the latest information, ideas and plans to ensure success in retirement.

“Seven Things to Know About Hurricane Mitigation Techniques and Incentives,” with Leslie Chapman-Henderson, will present basic mitigation principles for agents serving customers in a catastrophe-prone area.

“Florida Market Assistance Plan Online Referral Program,” with Joe Bouthillier, will discuss a free referral service in which property insurance needs are matched with licensed Florida insurance agents who can provide assistance.

Topics Florida Agencies Reinsurance Market