Voodoo, Hurricanes and Insurance… in the Big Easy

AAMGA. ASCnet. NAPSLO. NAII. The Big I. And the list goes on…

Each year, the insurance industry receives plenty of invitations to the industry’s biggest conventions, as well as countless local meetings to choose from. And we journalists get to tag along, hoping to uncover new stories, as well as to put faces to the names that we have interviewed, read about, or heard about.

When the IIABA announced they’d be holding their 2002 Annual InfoXchange in New Orleans, I was the first to volunteer. Sure, I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet agents in the industry, learn more about the complex world of insurance, and oh yeah, finally get to visit a city I’ve been drawn to for years.

So I packed my bags and headed to the Big Easy. What could be better than four fun-filled days of jazz music, Cajun and Creole traditions, and oh, did I mention insurance?

Whether it is a one-day event or a week-long meeting, conferences are a great way to unite as an industry. And it’s not just us. Just look around your hotel lobby at any given moment and you’ll see the others. Wide-eyed, goofy-smiling, name-tag wearing periodontists, biochemists, entrepreneurs, all in attendance at their respective industry’s convention. Heck, there’s even a magazine specifically geared to the industry of hosting meetings and conventions. Go figure.

Point being, we’re all guilty of indulging in these mini-getaways, held at popular tourist destinations around the country, and sometimes even abroad.

But it’s not just all fun and games. Conventions provide the most invaluable opportunities to perform a task crucial to all trades—networking. One of the most essential things we gain by attending these industry-specific functions is the ability to meet those we work alongside with, even if we do not interact with them on a daily basis. All of us are colleagues, even as your job is agent and mine is reporter. We all represent the insurance industry, and strive to maintain a healthy, viable industry. After all, insurance has historically been a family affair.

For agents, conventions offer an abundance of educational opportunities, mostly through continuing education seminars, which allow agents to earn additional certificates. These seminars prove to be invaluable for agents, who are offered the expertise of some the industry’s top consultants on the specific issues that are plaguing the market—such as mold, terrorism, and many more.

For companies and vendors, the exhibit hall is no better a place to show off their services and wares. New products, tried-and-true services and novelties abound for booth visitors. The point is to get your name out there—especially if you are a newcomer to the industry. Booths are priceless when it comes to exposing your services to potential customers.

The associations or groups that host the conventions are afforded the opportunity to get their message out, boost membership, and gain support which they, in turn, pass on to the industry. We have them to thank for all of their hard work in organizing these oftentimes massive events. They always make sure we are entertained, giving theme to the conventions (Mardi Gras and jazz, as was the case at the IIABA InfoXchange), throwing parties, and giving out door prizes.

And for us reporters, we get to take it all in and then send off stories for the benefit of those who were unable to attend. We’ll tell you what happened at the CEO panels, who said what, and why the industry is where it is, even though you probably already know that. We just like reaffirmation every once in awhile.

I had a blast in New Orleans. I met people who I talked to on the phone on many different occasions, I got to know companies and vendors, I even met some “rival” reporters who were among the friendliest people there. But there is one opportunity I did miss: the chance to speak with agents about what was going on in their lives; how they are dealing with today’s market. I boarded the bus the very first night for the opening party at the convention center, sitting amidst my fellow chamber mates at the Sonesta, most of who appeared to be agents from Indiana. But that was the last time I saw them. I walked the aisles of the exhibit hall the next day and the day after, but for the most part, the flock of agents that was supposed to be there were M.I.A. Hmm. Maybe it was those late nights out on Bourbon Street. Or maybe Hurricane Isidore chased them out of town a bit early. Maybe I just didn’t look hard enough. Well, there’s always next time.

All in all, conventions are a great way to break monotony of the office. In the entire scheme of things, they are probably not a necessary part of life. But, they will always give us the chance to meet our colleagues and unify us as an industry. And of course, to have a little fun.

Cynthia Beisiegel is staff writer for Insurance Journal West. To comment on this article, please send e-mail to cbeisiegel@insurancejournal.com.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agencies Hurricane