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Industry News

InVEST
More than $61,000 in Scholarships Available to InVEST Students

Based on the success of the silent and live auctions, InVEST will award more than $61,000 in scholarships this spring to high school and college students currently taking an InVEST class and who plan to pursue a major in insurance, risk management, actuarial science or business.

The silent auction raised more than $34,000, while the live auction generated $11,500. Those funds, added to the $15,156 of direct general contributions, equal a grand total of more than $61,000 toward InVEST scholarships!

This year, for the first time, scholarships will also be awarded to students who have chosen to go directly from the classroom to a career in the insurance industry. This means students not transitioning to a two or four-year college are eligible for scholarships that would assist them with licensing, IIA courses, CIC or ACSR. Students must still complete the application process and be current students in an InVEST class. As is the case with all scholarships, InVEST will distribute dollars directly to the educational institution or administrator.

Agents involved in the program are encouraged to rally students to compete for a national InVEST scholarship. Click here to learn more about eligibility and requirements. Applications and essay entries must be received by tomorrow, so don’t delay!

Another exciting contest approaching is the DACH and Teacher of the Year awards. We strongly encourage you to nominate your teachers and liaisons for these awards. Submissions are due April 18, 2008. Please click here for more information.

For more information on InVEST, visit www.independentagent.com and click “InVEST” or contact Amber Williamson at 703-706-5425; amber.williamson@iiaba.net.

A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry giving students a new outlook on the future. The program offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.


VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY
Big “I” Virtual University Enhances Global Expertise

IIABA’s Virtual University is expanding its international resources with the addition of two global insurance specialists to its faculty.  

Lloyd Yavener and Chris Beck of Clements International, a leading Washington, D.C.-based broker, will contribute to the online learning center through articles, “Ask the Expert” feedback and periodic webinars offering training on global risks and issues.

Yavener, Clements vice president of marketing, is a seasoned veteran of the insurance industry with more than two decades of experience. He also holds a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore and is a licensed attorney in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Clements, Yavener was president of Bankers Independent Insurance Company and he previously served as general counsel for American Independent Companies and Omni Insurance Group, as well as chairman of the Maryland Insurance Guarantee Board.

Beck, Clements senior vice president of insurance sales, has led the sales, underwriting and claims divisions of the company since 2000. With almost 20 years of insurance experience, Beck has been responsible for the design of key insurance coverages tailored to the unique needs of international organizations and the expatriate community. He has a bachelor of science in political science from the University of Maryland.

“Our members are increasingly faced with international exposures that are beyond their current experience,” says Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA vice president of education and research. “Having access to Chris and Lloyd’s global expertise will be of significant value to them and better enable them to succeed in this highly competitive marketplace.”

Big “I” Virtual University is a free service for all IIABA members and currently has 54 of the most recognized experts in the insurance industry available to answer questions on just about any insurance topic via the “Ask an Expert” service. Log on today at www.iiaba.net/VU.


BEST PRACTICES
What Tools Can You Use to Get Started?

Do you know about IIABA’s Best Practices Program? Ever wonder what all the fuss is about? If the answer is yes, consider reviewing the 2007 Best Practices Study by enrolling in an “Introduction to Best Practices” seminar or talking with an insurance carrier partner about this unique program based on the actual operations of more than 195 of the best agencies in the U.S.  

Then, to determine how your agency is doing in comparison to the BP agencies, purchase a copy of the “Automated Best Practices Self-Diagnostic Tool.” This program, using Microsoft Excel, will allow you to compare your agency’s year-end results with those of similar BP agencies and will help determine areas for improvement. It’s easy and can be financially rewarding for any agency.

• Will you (or someone you know) be retiring sometime in the future and would like to be sure the transition is handled successfully? Then try the “Best Practices in Business Perpetuation and Management Succession.”

• Do you want to be sure both you and your clients are ready for a disaster either natural or man-made? Then choose the “Best Practices of Crisis Management – A Step By Step Business Recovery Planner.”

• Does your agency’s sales effort measure up to the best in the country? Then pick the “Best Practices of the Leading Sales Organizations in the United States.”

Do you need more information about Best Practices tools and seminars? Visit www.independentagent.com and select “Best Practices,” then “Best Practices Gateway.” There you will find order forms and more information about all the tools and even a guide to implementing Best Practices in your agency. Discover what the fuss is all about and improve your bottom line! For more information about Best Practices, e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net.


LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION
Legislative Conference & Convention Attendees --- The Big “I” Needs Your Opinion

Earlier this month, agents united on Capitol Hill for the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Highlights from the event included an in-depth issues briefing session; appearances by numerous high profile speakers and hundreds of meetings on the Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in Congress. The Big “I” is now looking for attendee feedback. Please take a moment and complete a brief survey that will enable the Big “I” to make next year’s event even better. Those who submit their responses by April 22 at noon will be entered into a drawing for one of two ipod Touches. Complete the survey by clicking here or contact Susan Bonner at susan.bonner@iiaba.net for more information.


TRUSTED CHOICE^®
Updating Your Home….and Your Insurance

Consumers spend billions on their homes. Home improvement projects totaled a whopping $280 billion in 2005, according to research from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The center forecasts that home renovations will grow at a steady 3.7% rate annually through 2015, after inflation.

What shouldn’t be lost in the excitement of adding a bedroom, finishing a basement or updating the kitchen is financial security. Let your customers know the risk management and insurance tools available through their Trusted Choice^® insurance agent are indispensable when they’re renovating.

Trusted Choice^® has an article that can be included on Web sites or sent to customers about insurance issues they need to remember when undertaking home renovations. To access this article, simply visit www.TrustedChoice.com, and log into the Agents/Brokers section. The article is titled “Home Renovations and Updating Your Insurance,” and can be found in the Public Relations section, under Public Relations Articles.

You will need your agency username and password to access these areas of the secured “Agents/Brokers” section of www.TrustedChoice.com. If you do not have this login information, send an e-mail to Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net to request it. For more information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800- 221-7917; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.