July 13, 2004

 

AIIA Young Agents Conference is July 22-24 at the New Baytowne Village Resort

Come experience the new and beautiful Village of Baytowne Wharf in the Sandestin Resort. The Young Agents conference is July 22-24, 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 topics are “Four Phases of Attitude” and “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.

 

AIIA Capital Campaign – Who Will Help Us Break $800,000?

Exciting news! AIIA’s Building for Tomorrow’s Capital Campaign is over $700,000! Thanks to the following contributors who raised our pledge total to $706,900! We reached $700,000 – Who will help us reach $800,000? Will you help us reach our goal? Call in your pledge to AIIA today! 205-326-4129.

David Durden, Turner Insurance & Bonding, Montgomery  $1,000

Mark Rowley, Oakleigh Insurance, Mobile  $1,000

Bobby Solomon, Solomon Insurance Agency, Mobile  $1,000

Gordon Darling, Darling Insurance /dba Badger-Stonewell, Mobile  $1,000

Thanks so much to all Capital Campaign Contributors! We cannot do it without your help!

 

IIABA LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Big “I” Hails President’s Signature of Flood Bill

The Big “I” hailed President Bush’s signature of the Flood Insurance Reform Act (S. 2238), with CEO Bob Rusbuldt calling the reform measure “a new era for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).” The new law extends the program through September 2008 and establishes a pilot mitigation program that will allow the FEMA to target repetitive flood-loss properties. This mitigation provision is crucial because it will prevent abuse of the system and save taxpayers a significant amount of money. For the past year, the Big “I” worked with congressional lawmakers on renewal of the program, which covers more than 4.4 million homeowners nationwide, before its expiration June 30. The program lapsed previously, leaving homeowners confused and potentially without coverage. With the bill now signed into law, the ability of homeowners and business owners to acquire flood insurance will continue unabated. The Big “I” worked closely with leading Senate Banking Committee members, including Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Economic Policy Subcommittee Chairman Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) and full committee Ranking Member Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), to get the reauthorization measure approved by the Senate prior to the deadline. The Big “I” also worked closely with leaders of the House Financial Services Committee, including Chairman Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Richard Baker (R-La.), Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-Neb.), Housing Subcommittee Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and full committee Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-Mass.), on passage of the original House measure, which was slightly modified by the Senate, and to get the Senate-passed bill through the House on June 21.

 

IIABA NEWS: Big “I” National Convention to be Held at “Magical” Location

The spectacular Swan and Dolphin Hotel, located close to the heart of the world-famous Walt Disney World resort near Orlando, Fla., will host the 2004 Big “I” Convention. The Big “I” Convention and related events will be held at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel from Oct. 9 –12. The meeting falls on the long Columbus Day weekend, giving agents and their families one more chance to enjoy Florida and the sun before winter sets in. The world-class hotel offers an array of attractions that will appeal to many attendees: four heated pools, 17 restaurants and lounges, free transportation to all Disney parks, easy access to Disney’s BoardWalk, and a nightly fireworks show from Epcot Center and Walt Disney World-MGM Studios that is visible from the hotel’s rooms. Only at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel can you find these and many other wonderful amenities that will help your family enjoy the Big “I” Convention and a mini-vacation at the same time. To register go to www.independentagent.com and click on “Events and Conferences.” You can also make your Swan and Dolphin Hotel room reservations at this Web site.

 

 

MEMBER SERVICES: ATTENTION DORIS Users!

We are in the process of putting together training sessions on DORIS agency management systems. If you are using the DORIS system, please let us know by calling Kim Kay at AIIA today at (205) 326-4129 or reply to your NEWSLINE. This information will only be used to target current DORIS users about training. If you are a non-DORIS user, but are interested in more information and discounts on DORIS offered through AIIA, please contact Alison Ray King at aray@aiia.org or (205) 326-4129.

 

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Ø      You Just Thought You Were Going To Update In September! Your CIC update traditionally held in September in Birmingham has been moved to August. If you need your update before the end of October, this is your last chance to do so in Birmingham.  Space is limited. Call Nita Blankenship at (205) 326-4129 immediately to reserve your space. Online registrations are accepted at www.aiia.org. We will reserve a waiting list for this institute. 

Ø      Insuring Contractors. Topics include Commercial lines such as builders’ risk, general liability, Inland Marine, Work Comp, Business Auto and much more.

July 27th           Mobile

July 28th           Montgomery

July 29th           Birmingham

July 30th                 Huntsville

Ø      Send your New Hires to the Best P&C Licensing School! Courses held in Birmingham at AIIA HQ August 18, 20, 23, 25, 27. Sponsored by Infinity Insurance, this course satisfies the Alabama Department of Insurance 40-hour pre-qualification requirement for P&C licensing. Course fee includes textbooks and supplemental study materials. Cost is only $225 for members / $300 for non-members. Register online at www.aiia.org or call Nita Blankenship at (205) 326-4129, ext. 105.

 

EMPLOYMENT / AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES

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      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.

Ø      Seeking Commercial Lines Assistant. Birmingham agency seeking experienced individual to assist Account Executives with customer service. Please submit resume to fax 205-930-0450, Attn: W. Cochrane or email to wcochrane@jrprewitt.com .