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Young agents' accomplishments grow For third consecutive year, Illinois young agents triumph Young agents’ involvement in the industry—at least through the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)—continues to increase, according to a report given at the recent IIABA Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference in New York City. At the conference, 2004-2005 IIABA National Young Agents Committee Chairman Bill Connolly pointed out that five years ago, 32 states had formal IIABA-supported young agent programs. Now 47 states have programs geared toward young agents. “In a time when groups are seeing a decline in meeting and convention attendance, this conference continues to see more and more attendees each year,” he said. More than 200 young agents from across the country and internationally attended this year’s convention, according to Bill. “And not only has there been a 37% increase in InsurPac contributions,” he continued, “but the number of young agents contributing has also increased dramatically.” Each year at the Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference, the IIABA recognizes young agent groups that have excelled. For the third consecutive year, the highest award—the 2005 Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year award—went to the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI). 2004 OUTSTANDING YOUNG AGENTS COMMITTEE OF THE YEAR Five years ago the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) was almost nonexistent. In 2000 Co-Chairs Ken Samson and Brian Konen started the revitalization of the association by contacting young agents around the state and building enthusiasm through a variety of activities. Now, 800 young insurance professionals are members of the Illinois YAC. Samson and Konen continued in their posts through 2004. Two new co-chairs, Doug Whitworth and Josh Warren, have continued to build on this successful foundation. Nearly every month of the year, the YAC offers young agents a variety of activities such as a whirlyball tournament, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs baseball games, and a junior golf tournament. These activities are held in different regions of the state, enabling more young agents to participate. Reaching beyond its borders, for several years the Illinois YAC has co-sponsored the Midwest Regional Conference with Wisconsin and Minnesota young agent groups. Illinois young agents are active in state and national legislative efforts, attending both the Illinois Legislative Day and the Big “I” National Legislative Conference and giving to related PACs. According to a PIIAI report, “YAC activities have laid a foundation for association perpetuation, as young agent involvement [in PIIAI committees and task forces] continues to grow.” Besides offering a college scholarship program, the YAC started a college internship program last year that has proved very successful. In addition to gaining momentum among young agents and PIIAI members, the growth and expansion of the YAC has been noticed by company partners and affiliate members as well. These companies and groups have increased their financial support and participation at young agents and association events. 2005 OUTSTANDING YOUNG AGENTS COMMITTEE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP and 2005 OUTSTANDING STATE COMMITTEE PROJECT As Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year Runner-Up, the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI) held an “outstanding” YAC annual conference, according to the IIAI’s magazine, as well as a golf outing and bowling tournament to get young agents involved. The YAC also coordinated numerous projects and events designed to offer networking and educational opportunities to its membership. The YAC was recognized specifically for its campaign to distribute “Auto Insurance for Indiana’s Young Drivers” flyers, which are directed at student drivers and young drivers just starting to drive/own their own cars. To date, the YAC has been instrumental in distributing nearly 25,000 of these flyers. 2005 OUTSTANDING MEETING AWARD Impressively, 2005 marks the sixth year out of the past nine that the IBA West Young Brokers & Agents (YBA) has been recognized for its annual convention. To meet this year’s $101,000 budget goal, the YBA went beyond the boundaries of the insurance industry, getting new sponsorships from companies such as Federal Express, Wells Fargo, and auto leasing companies. As a result, nearly $134,000 was raised. The YBA used a variety of methods to promote the conference, including newsletters, direct mail, e-mails, and personal appearances at industry meetings throughout the state. The conference was attended by 285 young agents and industry professionals, including 67 first-time attendees. The conference featured a political action track as well as 38 hours of CE credits. A trade show during the conference featured 50 exhibitors (30 more than the previous year). 2005 OUTSTANDING MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARD Last year the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG) implemented a multifaceted plan to develop its membership. The committee began by reducing its size—from 32 to 16 members—and assigning clearly defined objectives to each committee member. Offering more relevant topics at the young agents’ midyear gathering, such as sales training, garnered 102 attendees, up from 79 the year before. Piggybacking the young agents convention with the state association convention drew a high young agent attendance, and company partners more effectively used their investment dollars by reaching both groups at one time. To get more young agents involved in the political process, the YAC organized three grass-roots legislative meetings in rural Georgia, “and while we may never know the tangible effect these had, Georgia successfully passed ... tort reform ... and we succeeded in getting young people more involved,” reports Allan Webb, Georgia YAC 2004-2005 chairman. The YAC also more than tripled its $2,750 InsurPac budget to more than $9,300. 2005 OUTSTANDING POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT AWARD For the first time in at least 12 years, the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (MIIAB) Young Insurance Professionals (YIP) was recognized for its accomplish-ments. To educate young agents about InsurPac in a fun atmosphere while raising PAC funds, the YIP hosted a “Get Out of Jail” booth at the MIIAB annual convention. Attendees could have a colleague “arrested” for a minimum donation of $50 to InsurPac. The “prisoner” could gain freedom by waiting 10 minutes behind bars, donating at least $50 to InsurPac for release, or answering10 InsurPac trivia questions to earn time off for good behavior and obtain early release. The YIP also hosted a reception that offered more opportunities to learn about YIP, InsurPac and the state PAC. Contributions from the jail event and hospitality night exceeded $2,000. Six young agents attended the Big “I” ’s National Legislative Conference, and YIP was also represented at the state legislative meeting. 2005 OUTSTANDING COMMUNICATIONS AWARD The Kentucky Young Insurance Professionals (KYIP) of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky (IIAK) strategically planned communication efforts, taking into consideration such factors as audience, timing, budget and customization of available tools. The committee not only emphasizes outgoing communication to members, but also encourages member communication and feedback. Communication vehicles include: mass e-mail; KYIP home page on the IIAK Web site; IIAK magazine, IIAK Agents’ Digest e-newsletter; brochures and flyers; association events; and IIAK field representatives. * |
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