Where the Brokerage Industry Meets
(Fairfax, VA) – NAILBA 33, the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies’ (NAILBA) Annual Meeting, was recognized by exhibitors and attendees as a success.
Held November 20-22 in Hollywood, Florida the event attracted 1,312 attendees and 101 exhibiting companies in 119 booths. This meeting, recognized as “Where the Brokerage Industry Meets,” is the independent wholesale insurance brokerage industry’s premier event. With a newly revamped schedule, the program featured two general sessions, eight workshops, and many opportunities for networking.
“I’ve been coming to the NAILBA Annual Meeting for many, many years and this is by far one of the best we’ve ever had,” noted NAILBA Chairman Barbara Crowley. She continued, “With all of the improvements to the schedule and the outstanding educational and networking opportunities, we provided our members, exhibitors, and sponsors with a fantastic experience.”
The Opening General Session included the Chairman’s Address and a State of the Industry Panel facilitated by Gene Koster, DCG Corporation. Panelists included Garth Garlock, North American Company for Life and Health Insurance; Jim Kerley, LIMRA; Melinda Meyer, ValMark Securities, Inc.; Kent Sluyter, Prudential; and Michael Tessler, Brokerage Unlimited, Inc. The Chairman’s Award, recognizing outstanding volunteer service by a member of the brokerage community, was presented to Steve Katz of Premier Brokerage Services.
On Thursday evening, Arthur C. Jetter, CLU, CFP, RHU, FLMI, REBC, LTCP, president of Art Jetter & Company was recognized with the 2014 Douglas Mooers Award for Excellence at the Mooers Award Dinner.
NAILBA 33 workshops covered a wide range of topics including Risk Appraisal Forum’s 2015 Underwriting Forecast, technology standard-setting in insurance, technology and social media, sales strategies for various product lines, and more. A half-day pre-conference Innovation Workshop on Wednesday, November 19 built on the strategies introduced at last year’s Innovation Workshop. NAILBA’s Agency Successor Networking Group, a group designed to offer mentoring for members moving into the role of principal, offered a specialized workshop for the group’s participants.
Friday’s Closing General Session featured updates from incoming NAILBA Chairman David Long and NAILBA Charitable Foundation John Rippinger, as well as a keynote presentation from marketing guru Seth Godin. The Closing General Session was followed by the NAILBA Charitable Foundation’s Live Auction and a Closing Reception. A Golf Tournament and Golf Luncheon are scheduled for Saturday, November 22.
In addition to a revised schedule offering greater opportunities for networking, the meeting featured the first rollout of a mobile app, which offered more opportunities for attendees to connect and get the most up-to-date meeting information.
NAILBA 34 returns the Annual Meeting to the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, November 19-21, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. For more information, go here.
