YOUNG AGENT FORUM

YOUNG AGENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OFFERS IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

By William T. "Tommy" Adams, CPCU

youngagent My involvement with the IIAA Young Agents Committee (YAC) began four years ago next month when I became southern regional director. When George Shaffer, then-IIAA president-elect, extended an invitation to me to serve on the committee, I had no idea of the many fantastic opportunities and valuable experiences that would come my way. Two years later, Bud Wilson, then-IIAA president-elect, offered me the opportunity to serve as YAC chairman. I will complete my two-year term as chair at the Young Agents Leadership Conference in Las Vegas next month.

The IIAA Young Agents Committee consists of four regional directors and a chairperson who work closely with the 43 state Young Agents committees. The Committee's mission is to help provide the leadership and business skills training necessary for perpetuation of the independent agency system.

During the last four years, I have gained a great deal through my involvement in the IIAA's Young Agents Committee. Through my work with the Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA), I have learned the history of Young Agents and have seen firsthand the labor, the commitment and the passion that go into the creation of IIAA's future leaders.

I have attended numerous IIAA Young Agents Leadership Conferences, National Conventions, National Legislative Conferences and State Young Agents Conferences. I have met many young insurance professionals from all over the country who are dedicated to the preservation of the independent agency system, the continued advancement of IIAA and their state associations, and their own professionalism and successful business careers. It does not matter in what part of the country these Young Agents live and work; they have the same enthusiasm for the independent agency system. I am convinced that the hard work of IIAA--both past and present--is paying off.

In addition to this valuable experience, I have made many new friends. My fellow committee members, both past and current, have been terrific and will remain friends for life. We have worked together on so many activities and learned a great deal from each other. The IIAA staff, particularly those working directly with our committee, has provided outstanding support. Barbara Miller-Richards, IIAA director of Invest and Young Agents Programs has become a great friend and will always have my admiration for all she has done and is doing for Young Agents. IIAA executive committee members and senior staff, who have a great vision for the future, are to be commended for helping shape the future leaders of IIAA.

I have met numerous insurance company and other industry representatives who financially support the Young Agents program. They realize the future of the independent agency system and their companies depends on the leaders of both today and tomorrow.

I have met many Young Agents from across the country who bring not only new enthusiasm and ideas to their state associations, but also to their agencies. They have so much to offer their agencies. As Bud Wilson says, "If you don't have a Young Agent in your agency, you need to go out and find one."

All that I have learned is helping my agency and my career enormously. At the many meetings that I have attended, there have been numerous seminars available on almost every topic imaginable to help me improve my agency and enhance my career. I have attended many of these to take advantage of the information offered. The insurance professionals facilitating these meetings have a great deal of information to offer about how they run their own successful agencies. It's amazing that individuals working in the most successful agencies never hesitate to share information about how their agencies have flourished. The IIAA "Best Practices Program" is a perfect example of the best agencies sharing their information with anyone who wants it.

I have learned from my fellow Young Agents about how they have taken advantage of opportunities and how they have overcome roadblocks in their agencies. Young insurance professionals have issues that are specific to them. It is very helpful to be able to talk to your peers about those issues, since they can understand your perspective.

Another area where the impact of the Young Agents has increased is in the governmental affairs arena. Early in my insurance career I realized the importance of being politically involved. There are countless legislative issues in Congress and the state legislatures that can have a great impact on the independent agency system. Many Young Agents are involved in the political process. With a long future in this industry ahead of them, they understand the importance of being informed and involved in the outcome of these legislative issues. They are establishing relationships with members of their state legislatures and Congress. Many are involved with growing both their state political action committees as well as InsurPac--IIAA's political action committee. I am proud that a record number of Young Agents attended this year's IIAA Legislative Conference.

It has been inspirational to hear the stories of the enthusiastic and talented people I've met while serving the Young Agent Committee. As these people shared their stories with me about both their successes and failures, they have inspired me to push myself to try new things and to work harder.

For those Young Agents who are looking for new ideas and inspiration, I encourage you to attend the 1999 IIAA Young Agents Leadership Conference. The conference in Las Vegas will begin September 26, a day before the beginning of the IIAA National Convention. This schedule will give you the opportunity to attend both the Young Agents Leadership Conference and IIAA's National Convention.

This year's conference is packed with both fun and educational events. The opening night event will take place at Gameworks, which is one of Vegas's premier entertainment destinations.

The conference will feature seminars on time management, producer development, media training, Young Agents committee planning and more. Other events will include a company executive panel, legislative panel, a motivational speaker, and a closing-night event around the famous Caesar's Palace pool--complete with a Motown band for entertainment.

Most important, this year's conference will give Young Agents the opportunity to network with each other, and with other agents at the IIAA National Convention. They will share ideas and experiences that will make them all better young insurance professionals. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. Be a part of Young Agents '99. *

The author

Tommy Adams, CPCU, began his career as an independent insurance agent in 1988 with the Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc., in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is the vice president/agency manager of the Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency. Prior to becoming chairperson of the IIAA Young Agents Committee in September of 1997, he served as southern region director for two years.

Young Agent Sponsors

AAMGA

AMS Services, Inc.

CGU Insurance

Caliper Assessment, Inc.

Central Mutual Insurance Companies

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

The Cincinnati Companies

Crawford & Co.

Crum & Forster

Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.

Fremont Compensation Group

The Hanover Insurance Company

Harleysville Insurance Co.

The Hartford

IMMS

IVANS

Kemper Insurance Companies

Peerless Insurance Company

Progressive Insurance Company

RLI

The Rough Notes Company, Inc.

St. Paul

Safeco Insurance Company of America

Selective

Shelby Insurance Cos.

Travelers Property Casualty Corporation

1999 YOUNG AGENTS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sunday, September 26, 1999

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Registration Area Open

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Opening General Session

IAA News

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Time Management Seminar

(Chris Amrhein)

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Regional Roundtables

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Awards Reception with IIAA Board of Directors

7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Buses to Opening Night Event

10 p.m. - Midnight Hospitality Suite Open

Monday, September 27, 1999

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration Area Open

8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Family Continental Breakfast

8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with IIAA Board (CEO Breakfast)

9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Producer Development Training