vol. 2024, ed. 18
Awards & Recognition from National Big I Leadership Conference
IIABSC Education Dept. & Young Agents programs were both recognized by our national association
The IIABA Education Department was honored with its 13th consecutive Excellence in Education Diamond Award, and the Young Agents program was honored for excellence in membership development during the Big I Leadership Conference held earlier this month in Indianapolis, Indiana. (+ More...)
IIABSC Vice President Megan Huebner named Young Agent State Liaison of the Year
Award presented during the Young Agents Leadership Institute of the IIABA Fall Leadership Conference in Indianapolis
IIABSC Vice President Megan Huebner was recently named the 2024 Young Agents State Liaison of the Year, an award given during the Young Agents Leadership Institute portion of the 2024 IIABA Fall Leadership Conference held in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 4-8. State Liaison of the Year award is presented to a state association staff person who has provided outstanding support and leadership to his or her state YAC and/or young agents activities. Under Megan's guidance, our Young Agents program was named Young Agent Committee of the Year in 2023 and has also been previously recognized for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agents meeting during the pandemic as well as their efforts in community service with the annual Trusted Choice GIVE MOVEMENT.
WATCH/LISTEN: SC Young Agent featured in award-winning national podcast series on Hard Market
Young Agent Co-Chair Jack Griffith was featured on "Prioritizing Risk Management" edition of seven-episode series
Earlier this year, the National Big I Young Agents Committee partnered with the Trusted Choice® Hard Market Toolkit to host a series of the Agency Nation Radio podcast focused specifically on the hard market. This seven-part series dives deep into different areas of the current hard market and impacts on independent insurance agencies. Episode topics include renewal tactics, building staff morale, operation mentorship, working with carriers, navigating underwriting, marketing & communication tactics and prioritizing risk management. The episode on "Prioritizing Risk Management" features IIABSC Young Agent Co-Chair Jack Griffith of TWIA Insurance Agency in Summerville, SC. His conversation with National Young Agent Committee member and Risk Advisor Daschle Larsen focused on the current state of the market, weather events, relationships with clients and carriers, and incidents that have led to an increased focus on risk management. In July 2024, the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association awarded the Young Agents Tactical Series a Bronze Showcase award in the Podcast Campaign category. (+ More...)
IN MEMORIAM: Thomas Patrick "Pat" Zeigler
Thomas Patrick “Pat” Zeigler, 76, passed away peacefully at his Seabrook Island home surrounded by his loving family on Sept. 9. Pat started his insurance career as a Life Insurance agent for The Eddie Reed Agency in Orangeburg, SC. His success propelled him to agency ownership with Allstate as well as independent agency Independent Insurance Brokers in Irmo, SC, which is still run by his son and daughter-in-law Jacob and Rowyn Zeigler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made be made to Chapin Christian Community Church, 415 Lexington Ave, Chapin SC 29036. Memorial contributions to IIABSC Foundation may also be given in honor of Pat, and the family will be notified. View full obituary and leave condolences for the family at Dukes-Harley Funeral Home website. (+ More...)
WE'RE HIRING: Professional Development Manager
Please share job listing with anyone you know who would be interested in joining our team
IIABSC is currently looking to hire a Professional Development Manager. Please share our CareerPlug job listing with anyone you know who would be interested in joining our team. The Professional Development Manager will be responsible for the comprehensive management, planning, and administration of all professional development and continuing education programs. This role oversees the creation, implementation, and delivery of educational curriculum and ensures compliance with continuing education (CE) requirements. This position is ideal for an individual with experience in educational program management who is detail-oriented, regulatory-savvy, and skilled in working with diverse stakeholders. View our online CareerPlug job listing for full job description, key responsibilities, qualifications, benefits, salary range and links to apply. (+ More...)
Annual convention Sponsorship Deadline THIS FRIDAY
Join us Oct. 13-15 at the Westin Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC
Registration to this year's annual convention (Oct. 13–15 at the Westin Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC) is still open for nonexhibitor attendees. This year's event features a sold-out exhibit hall (booth assignments now available) and keynote discussing how AI will and won't change the workforce, plus state and national industry updates and Hard Market Hero series by Kelly Donahue-Prio of Agency Performance Partners.
Sponsorships still available include: opening reception bar & food stations, special activities, awards banquet host bar, banquet entertainment, closing session breakfast and general sponsorships for every budget. Sponsorship deadline to be included in event program is Sept. 20. Pre-registration closes Sept. 27. (+ More...)
MEMBER BENEFIT EXPANSION: Trusted Choice releases Hard Market Toolkit Expansion
Helping agents update consumers on the current hard market
Since the release of the Trusted Choice Hard Market Toolkit early last year, the landscape has evolved further, requiring agents to adapt to new economic conditions and market dynamics. Recognizing this need, Trusted Choice has released a Hard Market Toolkit Expansion aimed to provide member agents with the latest updates on market trends, economic indicators and strategic insights to help you in this challenging environment. FREE to Big I agency members, the expanded resource covers more strategies for selling, advising clients and enhancing communication in the continuing Hard Market. (+ More...)
Become a Best Practices Agency for next study cycle (2025-2027)
Triennial opportunity is happening now - watch our video on the process
Reagan Consulting and the National Big I are currently accepting agency nominations for the next cycle of Best Practices Study, starting in the third quarter of 2025 and releasing annually until 2027. For more than 30 years the Best Practices Study has examined top performing agencies across the country in order to uncover the methods, procedures, techniques, strategies and business practices they use to achieve superior results and establish benchmarks which agency performance can be compared for those looking to improve agency operations and maximize potential. All agencies that are nominated and submit their agency data receive an Agency Performance Analysis from Reagan Consulting (valued at $495) even if they do not achieve Best Practices Agency status. Current cycle South Carolina Best Practices agencies are: CSP Insurance Services (Florence), Irmo Insurance Agency (Irmo), Peoples Underwriters (Conway) and SC Insurance Brokers (Greenville). WATCH VIDEO on the Best Practices Agency application process and view "Become a Best Practices Agency" webpage for details. (+ More...)
See also: Best Practices Study 2024 Update now available
FREE WEBINAR on Sept. 26 for Annual Convention attendees
Featuring Zach Giglio, SPONSORED BY IIABSC PALMETTO PARTNERS
THANKS TO OUR PALMETTO PARTNERS, all 2024 Annual Convention attendees who register prior to Sept. 6 will be invited to attend our upcoming webinar on "Transforming Your Agency with AI: Enhancing Client Services and Upholding Your Values," to be held Sept. 26 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm Eastern) with featured speaker Zack Giglio. This webinar is approved for 2 hrs. P&C credit. A COMP CODE to register has been sent to all who qualify (contact Stacy Boan for help). Three days prior to the webinar, all registered attendees will be sent instructions on how to access the webinar. This additional CE opportunity is leading up to the IIABSC 2024 Annual Convention, but anyone may register ($35 for members/Partners and $55 for nonmembers) even if they are not attending convention. Find details on registration page. (+ More...)
LAST CHANCE: Fall IA MBA session starts Sept. 26
Program aims to help participants develop a focused approach to strategic planning
As an independent agency leader, you’re probably juggling 10,000 priorities right now. To hone in on what’s essential for your team and agency, you need solid goals and a plan to achieve them. In the IA-MBA program through Goalmakers, you will join a cohort of agency leaders nationwide for a 10-week learning and networking program that combines self-paced learning with expert-led facilitated live sessions. This practical program is designed to help you develop a focused approach to strategic planning that will keep your team focused on achieving your vision. Our fall session starts Sept. 26 with weekly LIVE sessions to be held Thursdays from Noon-1:30 pm Eastern Time. (+ More...)
National ABEN Day offers 5 hours free CE
Broadcasting Oct. 16 from 11 am - 5:00 pm
Join us for National ABEN Day on Oct. 16 for up to five hours of FREE CE! We are excited to provide three highly relevant topics to provide invaluable insights and strategies in response to crisis, chaos and calamities. You can take one, two or all three and only pay the state CE filing fee. Presenters will be available in the forum for questions and interaction with agents from around the country. Prizes and giveaways will also be part of the day. Register now through our ABEN page. PLEASE NOTE: We will charge a CE filing fee depending on the number of hours taken. Cost for all 5 hours is $5. (+ More...)
SOCIAL MEDIA: September is National Preparedness Month
Resources for social media/newsletter content on disaster preparedness
September is National Preparedness Month. Use resources found on the national website (including social media elements) to help your clients make a plan to stay safe and communicate during disasters that can affect your community. The Ready Campaign in partnership with the Ad Council is also launching a series of Public Service Advertisements targeted to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Those videos are also available on the resource site. Campaign materials are available in a variety of languages, including Spanish. (+ More...)
SOCIAL MEDIA: September is also Life Insurance Awareness Month
Resources for social media/newsletter content on the role of life insurance in providing financial security
September is also Life Insurance Awareness Month. Use resources found on the national website (including social media elements) to engage and educate the many Americans who live with a life insurance coverage gap. It might be the boost they need to protect their families and achieve better financial security. Specific to this year's campaign are resources that provide insights about what’s impacting life insurance ownership in 2024 and the vital role life insurance can play in providing financial security. #HelpProtectOurFamilies #LIAM24 (+ More...)