Last week AIIA celebrated its
New Day at the 108th Annual Convention in Sandestin, Fla., among
friends, family and business partners. There were more exhibitors than ever; so
many that they overflowed out into the area outside the Trade Show hall. Guests
not only enjoyed the finest food, they relaxed in the fantastic weather, golfed
in our tournament, fished the coast, or shopped local market places. The
Convention kicked off with a Welcome Reception and Seafood Buffet on Thursday.
Later in the evening, the sounds of Meet
The Press filled the Hilton alongside the pool and hospitality suites.
Everyone enjoyed this exciting event, and we’ll do it again next year. At the
trade show, many agents received door prizes and exhibitors made lots of
important business contacts. Robert Ian mystified the General Session with his
magic tricks and helpful motivational tidbits; in his Saturday night
presentation, Ian had AIIA guests under hypnosis acting like bodybuilders, Martians
and drill sergeants while audience members roared with laughter.
Convention attendees have
many chances to win awards and prizes. Here are some of the winners: Summit
Consulting was awarded the prize for the Best Booth. Ray Smith of Benefit Choices
was named the Associate Member of the Year. Richard Schneider of Schneider
Agency in Mobile won a vacation stay in Sandestin for his $100 donation to the
Excalibur Education Foundation. Jan Walton of HRH in Mobile won the $100
Sharper Image gift certificate for nominating agents to participate in the
Young Agents committee. Phil Underwood, Talladega Insurance Agency in Talladega
won the Grand Prize drawing for a gift certificate for a TV given by Anchor
Managing General Agency. Progressive sponsored two prizes for a cruise; Martha
Gilbreath of Insurance Associates in Fort Payne and Jerry Haynes of Thompson
Insurance in Montgomery each won this cruise vacation for two. Debbie Gibson of
Whitehaven Insurance Group in Gulf Shores won the $1,000 Agent’s Grand Prize.
Brian Mogren of Southern Insurance Underwriters took home the Associate Member
Grand Prize drawing for $500 cash.
Important AIIA milestones
happen at convention, and this year was especially important. Jim Williams of
J. Smith Lanier in Huntsville was inaugurated as AIIA’s 108th
President. Lisa Worley of Anchor Insurance in Birmingham was honored as the
Insuror of the Year for her continuous work as Chair of the Long Range Planning
committee. Bill Gray, AIIA Past President and former EVP of the Association,
was presented with the first AIIA Lifetime Service & Achievement Award.
Outgoing President Mickie Edwards presented Arthur Williams with the
Presidential Citation Award. Steve Hoggle of Woodall & Hoggle,
Guntersville, was honored as the Outstanding Director of the Year. Kenn Howell,
Howell Insurance Agency in Opp was selected as the Committee Chair of the Year
for his leadership on the Small & Rural Committee.
The Young Agent’s Education
Excalibur Foundation awarded the third scholarship to Brooke Skipper. Brooke is
a junior studying insurance/ risk management at Troy State University. The
Young Agents sold mulligans at Friday’s golf tournament to raise funds for
their endowment. The Young Agents raised $1,100 for Excalibur last week.
AIIA is proud to
thank MetLife for donating $25,000 to the Capital Campaign. MetLife Insurance
Company is a Building Benefactor. We also thank MetLife, Cathy Rein, Mike and
Lynda Davidson, Herb and Patricia Swartz, Ron Thibodeaux, Margery and Lizzie
Lohmar, Sheryl Willis and Terry Collins for their support and attendance at
last week’s 108th Annual Convention.
Exciting news! AIIA’s Building fund received
more than $55,000 last week, sending
our pledge total over $671,000 in contributions and pledges for the new building!! Thanks to the following contributors who pushed our pledge total
to $671,150! Call in your pledge to AIIA
today! 205-326-4129.
Bill King, King Insurance Agency,
Decatur $100
Bobby Burch, Burch Agency, Moulton $100
Charlie Ebert, III, Ebert Agency,
Foley $1,000
Yank Lovelace, Escambia Insurance
Agency, Escambia $1,000
Aubrey Ellis, Sumter Insurance Agency,
Livingston $500
Warren Crow, Shaw Warehouse $1,000
Tommy McQueen & the Montgomery
Local Board $5,000
Bob Arnold & the Dothan Local Board
$4,000
Jeff Grice, Lacy Grice Insurance,
Jasper $1,000
Tom Ziegenfelder, Flowers Insurance
Agency, Dothan $2,000
Jay Ison, TBMBI, Mobile $1,000
Russ Greenhalgh, Greenhalgh Insurance,
Birmingham $1,000
Geoff Plott, Duckworth Morris Acordia,
Tuscaloosa $1,000
Kathy Brown, Sam Newton Insurance,
Lexington $100
Edward Courtney, Courtney & Pharr,
Inc., Mobile $1,000
Keith Horton, Horton Insurance Agency,
Brewton $250
Cecil Yarbrough, University Agency,
Auburn $1,000
Simon Banister, Banister-Downing,
Anniston $500
Jim Farrior, Colonial Insurance,
Montgomery $1,000
Young Agent Contributor Dan Raffle,
Insurance Center of the SE, Dothan $400
Thanks so much to all Capital Campaign
Contributors! We cannot do it without your help!
Congratulations to Judy Hopkins, CISR, of Byars & Associates in Jasper for winning the Alabama 2004 CSR of the Year! Judy now proceeds to compete in the National CSR of the Year contest sponsored by the Society of CISR and the Society of CIC. Judy will be recognized at AIIA's annual CIC/CISR Conferment Ceremony at The Club on August 26, 2004.
AIIA Young Agents
Conference is July 22-24 at the New Baytowne Village Resort
Come
stay in the new Sandestin Resort property – the Village of Baytowne Wharf. The
Young Agents conference is July 22-24 this year, and will not overlap the back
to school rush of August. Come experience a taste of New Orleans in this
pedestrian setting. Full of shops, eateries and a rich atmosphere, the Village
will be the perfect spot to mix business with pleasure. Speaker Steve Morgan is
back by popular demand. His high energy and topics received great response the
last time he joined us. His topic this year is, “Four Phases of Attitude &
Customer Relations.” We all know attitude plays in huge role in our daily
interaction with customers. Fun events include a dolphin cruise for all ages
and a golf tournament. Registration information is available online at www.aiia.org or call Nancy Crowe or Kim Kay at
(205) 326-4129.
EMPLOYMENT / AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES
Ø
Underwriter
Needed. Underwriter needed for fast-paced MGA in Florence. NAI seeks an
experienced E&S binding underwriter. www.nai1982.com
Send resume and salary requirements to P.O. Box 2909, Florence, AL 35630.
Ø
Seeking Licensed C/L Producer. Hoover / Vestavia Hills agency seeks licensed
commercial lines producer. Excellent work environment &
commissions. Submit confidential resume (205) 979-3919 or email to cull6453@bellsouth.net.
Ø C/L CSR Seeks Position. Licensed CSR with CISR designation seeks position in
Birmingham area. Please contact Brenda Hope @ 205-791-2985.
Ø C/L Lines Marketer Seeks Position.
Experienced commercial lines marketer seeks agency position in the Mobile area
performing marketing and/or agency management function. Contact Dick MacDonald
at (251) 625-8971.
Ø Seeking P&C Producer. Florence
agency needs P&C producer. Please call (256) 766-2222 for more info.
Ø PL CSR Seeking Position.
Licensed personal lines CSR seeks position in Jefferson / Shelby County. 23
years of experience. Call Lavelle Huff at (205) 680-1799.
Ø Seeking P&C Producers: Agency
needs P&C producers in Alabama to sell top Auto insurance. For appointment
or sponsorship, call (205) 795-2540.
Ø Seeking Agents: Birmingham area agency
looking for agents to solicit surety accounts. Agency will provide office space
and is willing to split commissions 50/50 with the agent on all business they
produce. All inquires confidential. Send all inquiries to PO Box 449, Trussville,
AL 35173.