For outgoing Independent Insurance Agents of Texas President Frank Swingle, serving on the board of the agents’ organization for the past six years has “been tremendously fun and beneficial.” And he plans to keep active in the association even after his term as past president is up next year, doing “whatever they would like me to do,” he said.
“It’s been a tremendous benefit in meeting people, in understanding and learning how different people make their organizations work, and meeting company contacts from around the state,” Swingle said of his time as president.
Swingle, president of Dallas-based Swingle Collins & Associates, turns over the volunteer leadership reins of the IIAT to Garry Kaufman of Galveston Insurance Associates at the group’s 111th annual conference and trade show in Austin June 12-13.
As an IIAT member, Swingle said, he’s realized “the depth with which the IIAT can help an insurance agency.” He said the group’s leadership, with the help of volunteer ambassadors, has been “going around the state talking to insurance agents on a one on one basis to let our members know how deep the association is” and telling them about the variety of services available many agents are unaware of “that can help them do their business better.”
Reflecting on benefits the IIAT provides to its members, Swingle said the association has three main functions: government affairs, education and networking.
He said IIAT has tremendous influence and serves as a “watchdog” for agents at the state legislature and nationally working with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
“It’s very, very important that we have this, because with the stroke of a pen we could have a fundamental change in the way we do business if we don’t watch it,” Swingle said. “One of the things we’ve strengthened over the years is a grass roots campaign to help our association, through volunteer efforts of our members, reach our legislators and tell them the importance of what we do and how we do business.”
Swingle said the IIAT is rich with educational opportunities through classes in Austin and throughout the state, through IIAT’s educational Web portal InfoCentral, and via a service called “Ask Regina,” where agents can obtain answers to specific coverage questions. He noted that InfoCentral has articles and examples that can help an agent answer a specific question for a specific customer. “You can get them the answer that you can’t normally get from an insurance carrier. Very, very important,” Swingle said.
Finally, the networking opportunities available through various meetings and conferences allow “agents all over the state to get together and meet the suppliers, meet the wholesalers, meet the insurance company representatives and meet each other,” he said.
IIAT Convention at a Glance
The IIAT holds its 111th Annual IIAT Conference & Trade Show in Austin June 12-13. In addition to classes and seminars highlighting the latest developments in the insurance industry, the conference features opportunities to network with colleagues and company personnel, and “a 165-booth trade show where agents can learn about the latest products and services available to independent agents,” said outgoing IIAT President Frank Swingle.
Friday morning’s keynote speaker will be Wayne Sotile, a clinical psychologist, of the Sotile Associates, Winston Salem, N.C. He will present “Letting Go of What’s Holding You Back,” a high-energy presentation designed to empower audiences to let go of what’s holding them back, take charge of themselves and make a difference at work and home.
Another conference highlight will be an address at the annual Wade F. Spilman Political Action/Drex Foreman Award Luncheon by David Sampson, president/CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
With an eye on finding ways to tackle the soft market, Scott Addis of the Addis Group, Philadelphia, offers two presentations for improving your advantage in the marketplace with the Addis Process – “The Purple Cow Leadership Workshop” and “Changing the Game.”
Other presenters include Abilene native, Jim Bearden, of the Bearden Resource Group, Austin; Jan Hargrave, Jan Hargrave & Associates, Houston; Jim Oliver, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association manager; Bill Cadenhead, formerly of IBTX Risk Services where he served as CEO until selling his interest in January 2008; Phil Demmel and Brad Watson, Chubb Group of Insurance Cos., Dallas; and Valerie C. Thomas, Infinity Insurance Cos., Dallas.
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