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                                                     National News

Big I Advantage^®
MMAC Newsletters Can Help Increase Client Retention

It’s a fact that the cost of retaining a customer is less than the cost of finding and acquiring a new one. Customized newsletters are ideal for keeping agencies’ customers up to date. With the new RetainNOW newsletter generating service, improving customer retention has never been easier! Agents can insert logos and contact information and a customized newsletter will be generated into a PDF ready for online approval. Choose from a library of insurance topics that best fit your agency's niche. Agents may request that newsletters be printed and sent to their, office or they can upload a list and let the Big “I” printer handle the entire direct mail campaign. For more information, contact Brett Sutch at brett.sutch@iiaba.net. 

Young Agents
YAC Gives Back Event Promises Fun for All

The brand new, fun-filled industry event YAC Gives Back: A Benefit for InVEST Scholarships is rapidly approaching and promises a good time for all. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on March 4, the Marriott ballroom at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will become part silent auction, part live auction, part casino and part networking opportunity. This inaugural event co-sponsored by InVEST and Young Agents will include games, music, live and silent auctions and the company of industry peers with all proceeds benefiting the InVEST scholarship fund. Event admission is complimentary with registration for the Legislative Conference & Convention and includes $25,000 in game chips and one drink ticket. Poker game registration will take place on site and costs $100.Don’t miss the fun! Click here to register for the Legislative Conference & Convention.

InVEST
There’s Something for Everyone at the 2010 InVEST Silent Auction

The 2010 InVEST silent auction is just around the corner, and attendees at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention can bid on a host of great items while benefiting InVEST scholarships for young insurance students. Auction items range in value from $35 to $2,000, so there is something for everyone!This year’s hot items include Tiffany & Co. jewelry, Coach purses, golf equipment, trips, resort packages, iPods, Amazon Kindles and more. Plus, a $500 Carnival Cruises gift card will be raffled off, and attendees can purchase raffle tickets at the first-ever YAC Gives Back event at a cost of $10 for two tickets and $20 for five.

The auction will be held from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. on March 4 and winners may pick up their items between 11 and 11:30 p.m. that evening. Items will also be available for pick-up on March 5 outside the CEO panel breakfast event, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

IIABA News
New Online Video from Big “I” CEO Urges Members to Attend Upcoming Legislative Conference

Big “I” President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt is turning to the Internet to personally urge and invite agents and brokers to attend the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention March 3-5. In a brief new video message, Rusbuldt explains the important issues on Capitol Hill threatening the livelihood of independent agents and brokers today and outlines why it’s important to pay a visit to Washington lawmakers. He says Big “I” members are the best advocates for their own businesses and that their input has never been as crucial as at this crossroads, while Congress crafts legislation on health care, regulation, licensing, taxes and other vital issues. Click here to view Rusbuldt’s video invitation. For more information, contact Sue Nester at 703-706-5448; susan.nester@iiaba.net. 

Education
ACSR Tribute Day is Feb. 24

The Big “I” will celebrate the fifth annual ACSR Tribute Day on Feb. 24 to commend ACSRs for their contributions and dedication to the industry, their agencies and their clients. This is the perfect opportunity for agency managers and/or principals to recognize their agency's ACSRs’ success and encourage additional personnel to obtain the designation.

Consider acknowledging your designation holders with simple ideas such as posting a thank you note on ASCRs’ office doors or computers; distributing rolls of “lifesavers” candy and sharing a story about how an ASCR came to the rescue for a client or the agency; or offering up a premium parking spot for the day!

For more information on how agency staff can obtain the ACSR designation, click here. 

IIABA News
Big “I” Names New Executive Director of InVEST

Diane Mattis, CPCU, AIAM, AFIS, recently joined Big”I” national staff as the associate vice president of professional development & online resources and executive director of InVEST. With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, most recently as the vice president of education and technical affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, Diane brings a wealth of industry knowledge and agent education expertise to the position. She has long been involved with agent development and InVEST at the state level and has a passion for ensuring that insurance becomes a viable and sustainable career choice for high school and college students.  In addition, Mattis understands and utilizes technology and social networking tools to create blended learning opportunities for learners with many different skills sets. She will be also be working with the Big “I” Young Agents program and will provide her counsel on the many education and advocacy programs offered by the association. Mattis can be reached at 703-706-5400; diane.mattis@iiaba.net. 

ACT
Real Time/Download Webinar Will Feature 21-Day Challenge

The Real Time/Download Campaign will present another free webinar on Feb. 24 from 1:30–2:30 p.m. EST. The session will feature demos of more functions to show participants the full power of Real Time. It will also show how Download has improved and has become more important in a Real Time world. Finally, participants will learn how the new Real Time 21-Day Challenge can provide them with step-by-step guidance, whether they are newly implementing Real Time or seeking to increase usage. Cyndy Smith, Karen Youngman and John Heinsz, three agents who are highly-knowledgeable about Real Time and Download, will lead the webinar; Cal Durland of AUGIE and Jeff Yates of ACT will also participate. Click here to register for the session.