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                                                     Industry News

ACT
ACT Marketing Gurus to Share Successes in Using Technologies

The Young Agents Leadership Institute is right around the corner and young agents now have one more reason to attend this premier event.

Join other young agents in New Orleans on Sept. 11 and learn how to enhance productivity by using effective workflows and technologies during a special ACT event, “Practical Strategies to Enhance Agency Productivity, Marketing & Sales.”

Discover how staff roles are evolving to better meet the needs of clients and create a more proactive service and sales environment in agencies. There’s no question that the marketing world is changing with the advent of Web 2.0 technologies, and the event’s panelists will share how they are successfully embracing this new communication channel to better service their clients, grow business and get better feedback.
 
With new online tools come new concerns, and the agenda will also address important considerations for agency security. The three-part event includes two panel discussions and a breakout session to help agents get the most of out the program.

The Young Agent Leadership Institute will be held Sept. 11-12 in New Orleans in conjunction with the Big "I" Fall Leadership Conference. After the event, join other members for the Big "I" Leadership Community Project with Beacon of Hope.
 
Click here for the complete schedule and to register now, and click here for a detailed event agenda. Make your hotel reservations before Aug. 24 and get the reduced single/double room rate of $159 per night. Reservations will be handled on a space-available basis until rooms at the group rate are sold out or until the reservation cut-off date.

InVEST
InVEST Introduces New Board Member

InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, recently appointed Bob Betters to its national board.

“InVEST is pleased to have Bob Betters join our already distinguished team on the InVEST board,” says Patrick Moore, chair of the National InVEST board of directors and principal of Antalek & Moore, an independent agency in Beacon, N.Y. “With more than 60% of the insurance industry’s employees over the age of 45, the need to find new talent becomes more apparent each year. Bob is a pioneer and a workhorse who has already made tremendous strides toward achieving and implementing InVEST’s mission.”

In the fall semester of 2004, Betters started an InVEST program at Charlotte Catholic High School where he continues to be an active teacher and mentor. He is the 2006 recipient of the InVEST program’s Dach Award, which honors an insurance industry volunteer who has made tremendous contributions to fostering the growth and development of InVEST.

“InVEST is important not only to the future of the independent agency system, but to the insurance industry as a whole,” says Big “I” President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt. “Survey results from the ‘Agency Universe Study’ by Future One (a collaboration of the Big “I” and leading independent agency companies) pointed to InVEST as the future of the industry, with 56% of respondents stating that the insurance industry should encourage high schools and community colleges to help students plan for insurance careers. Educators, company representatives, volunteers and agents, like Bob Betters, are key to the success of this program.”

Betters is with the Watson Insurance Agency, a third generation agency in Gastonia, N.C. that is now one of the largest privately owned agencies in the state.


Big “I” Professional Liability
Big “I” and Swiss Re to Host Free Member Webinar on E&O Risks of Swine Flu

On Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. EST, Swiss Re and the Big “I” Professional Liability program will present a free risk management webinar for all agency staff about the potential E&O risks that a widespread swine flu pandemic may cause for agencies and businesses. The call will discuss important developments in the swine flu pandemic, how it could affect agents’ business and useful methods to protect your agency. This is the latest webinar in our risk management knowledge series designed to bring Big “I” members valuable and practical information to help identify, manage and mitigate potential exposure to E&O claims. Click here to register for the webinar.


Big “I” Markets
Community Banks Market Available

Did you know you can offer your local community banker one of the best suites of products in the market via your access to the Travelers SelectOne^® product for community banks accessible through Big "I" Markets? To learn more about the ins and outs of the product, check out the community banks webinar available in the Big "I" Markets webinar library. Access the webinar by clicking here. To access this product, log on to www.bigimarkets.com.


Big “I” Markets
10 Reasons to Choose Big “I” Markets for Special Events

Check out the features of special event liability from Philadelphia Insurance Companies on Big “I” Markets:

• A wide range of eligible classes (Click here for a list).
• Quick turnaround time for quotations – If a complete submission is provided, a proposal can be issued within 24 hours for small events.
• Umbrella/Excess limits available up to $15 million.
• Liquor liability coverage available.
• Inland Marine, Hired Car and Non-Owned Auto to the General Liability coverage is available for qualified risks.
• Participant coverage is available.
• Available in all states on an admitted basis except Louisiana.
• Agents can submit business online at www.bigimarkets.com.
• Ability to cover events on a short term or an annual policy.
• Separate tenant user liability policy for exhibitors or vendors.

PHLY Bell endorsement – The PHLY Bell endorsement includes $25,000 limits each for identity theft expense, terrorism travel reimbursement, emergency real estate consulting fee, temporary meeting space reimbursement, image restoration and counseling, donation assurance, business travel and $50,000 limits each for kidnap expense and key individual replacement expenses.

A crisis management endorsement is also available with a $25,000 limit for crisis management emergency response expenses incurred because of an incident giving rise to a "crisis."

Access this market today at www.bigimarkets.com.