National Association Membership AIIA membership carries with it automatic membership in the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) or the ‘Big I.’ As an AIIA member, you are granted access to all the benefits and services offered by the IIABA. On a monthly basis, you will receive a copy of Independent Agent, the IIABA National magazine. Use of Logo As a member, you are entitled to use the IIABA logo. This logo is a nationally recognized symbol of the insurance industry and is available for members’ use on agency signs, letterhead, business cards, yellow pages advertising, promotional material, etc. AIIA Lobbying Effort The AIIA strives to maintain a vigilant lobbying effort on behalf of the independent insurance agent. This is done through dedicated lobbyist representation during each session of the Alabama Legislature, as well as maintenance of an active political action committee (BIG I PAC). In addition, IIABA maintains a national lobbying effort on behalf of independent agents,  maintains political committees, and holds annual legislative conferences to meet with Congressional representatives. Regulatory Representation AIIA enjoys an outstanding working relationship with the offices of the Alabama Insurance Commissioner and his staff. Our volunteer leadership meets regularly with the Commissioner and his staff to discuss issues of importance to agents, agencies and their clients. Internet Website The AIIA maintains an Internet Web site at www.aiia.org. The Web site is updated on a regular basis and has association and member contact information, event and education information and registration, as well as recent industry news. Education Program The AIIA sponsors a full calendar of educational courses throughout the state designed for the insurance professional. These courses meet insurance industry continuing education requirements and instructors consistently meet high educational standards. Members are eligible to attend all educational courses sponsored by the AIIA at discounted rates.  For more information, call AIIA at (205) 326-3086. Young Agents Committee The AIIA has an active Young Agents Committee that provides an opportunity for young agents (under 40 years of age) to be actively involved in their future and the future of the independent agency system. These Young Agents will become the leaders of tomorrow and the AIIA makes every possible effort to help them learn and grow as insurance professionals. National Association - IIABA Sponsored Events IIABA National Convention is an annual IIABA national association meeting that provides several workshops and seminars on current issues facing independent agents. IIABA National Legislative Conferenceis an IIABA sponsored annual event giving members an opportunity to meet personally with our Congressional and Senate delegations. IIABA National Young Agents Leadership Development Conference provides young agents with an opportunity to network with industry peers and professionals on the national level. State Association - AIIA Sponsored Events AIIA Legislative Conferenceis an annual meeting that provides a forum for our members to meet their local state Representatives and Senators and discuss legislative issues facing independent agents. AIIA Annual Convention is an annual convention that provides several seminars on current industry issues facing independent agents, as well as recognition of the outstanding insurors and CISRs.  AIIA Young Agent Conferenceis an annual meeting designed specifically for young agents and provides seminars which teach the skills needed to become the Leaders of Tomorrow. AIIA Small & Rural Agents Conferenceis an annual meeting designed specifically for and addresses issues specific to Small & Rural agents.  Industry News AIIA produces The Alabama Independent, our quarterly magazine, and NEWSLINE, our weekly newsletter, specifically for our members in order to keep them up to date on current industry news and developments, as well as what’s happening with fellow AIIA members throughout the state.  Group Dental, Life, Disability, & Medicare Insurance IIABA offers several options for dental, life, long and short term disability, accidental death and disability, and medicare supplement insurance coverages. These options range from managed care, PPO plans, standard 80/20 plans, comprehensive plans, individual coverage, or group coverage, depending on your agency’s needs. For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401. IRA Program For the agency staff, the IIABA/IRA Program allows member employees to maximize investment earnings with highly competitive returns. Plans available include: Regular, Roth and Education IRAs, EZ Saver and SIMPLE IRAs. Funds are invested in Connecticut General Life Insurance Company which is rated ‘A+’ by A.M. Best Company.  For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401. Investor Program The IIABA/Investor Program provides an investment vehicle for greater returns on member agencies’ qualified pension and/or profit sharing plan assets. This program is available to any member or agency staff. For more information, contact IIABA at (800) 848-4401. 401(k) Plan IIABA offers tax-advantage investing, a mix of investment options, administrative ease, financially sound management, and the national buying power of IIABA. Plans available include: SEP Program, SIMPLE 401(k), Full Service 401(k) and Safe Harbor 401(k).  For more information, contact IIAA at (800) 848-4401. Express Delivery, Printing & Car Rental Discounts Airborne Express, Mines Press & Hertz Car Rental offer discounted products and services to members.