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| AAMGA Special Section Keep the conversation going Focus groups and white papers will generate ongoing interest in topics raised during conference By Phil Zinkewicz Every year, just prior to the AAMGA annual meeting, the AAMGA Automation & Technology Committee hosts its Automation & Technology Conference, during which there are educational sessions on a variety of subjects that pertain to technology and how it can be used to benefit managing general agents and wholesalers. In past years, the committee has touched upon such subjects as information disaster recovery and business continuity planning as well as information about some of the off-site products that can assist with those efforts. Last year’s conference concentrated on system security measures, real-time communication between vendors and MGAs, and regulatory matters that affect MGAs and their use of technology. This year’s conference, which was held March 10 - 13, again addressed important, topical matters that impact the excess surplus lines industry, but the approach was somewhat different. The issues discussed at the conference were not intended to begin and end there, but will be examined throughout all of this year and into the next. Mike Roy, co-chairman of the committee and a principal at CRC Insurance Services, Inc., in Birmingham, Alabama, says that, this year, the usual roundtable discussions that took place during the conference will lead to “focus groups.” Says Roy: “Very often, the roundtable discussions identify areas that require further dialogue and analysis. We are going to appoint focus groups that will have ongoing meetings on these issues throughout the year. We will develop white papers on those issues that merit such treatment. In this way, we hope to give our committee more structure and purpose.” Also, Roy says, during this conference, various other agency associations participated more visibly than in the past. “Our keynote, sponsored by NAPSLO, gave a presentation on the “State of the Industry Automation” and there was a session during which a representative of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) discussed its Agents Council on Technology.” A representative of ACORD was on hand to participate in a special panel featuring MGAs and wholesalers who discussed identity theft, breach of privacy, and general security, according to Roy. Case studies were presented at the conference as well. “There was also a session on how MGAs and wholesalers can make better use of the Internet and Web sites to assist their retail agents,” Roy says. “Additionally, there was a presentation of some of the latest productivity tools for agents who travel, and these ‘gadgets’ were examined from the perspective of security.” As usual, there was a discussion on electronic policy delivery, the pros and cons, and the vendor trade show; but, here again, a change was made in recent years. Roy says, “The trade show was there as always, but following the show, vendors held special showcases where they demonstrated their products. Various areas that were addressed included accounting, rating, and account management. Vendors had a half hour to discuss their systems with MGAs. We did this last year and it worked very well. “The fact is,” continues Roy, “technology is ever evolving and is critical to MGA operations. Our members understand that more and more every day. A few years ago, only technology-oriented people attended our conferences. Today, we are seeing MGA leadership and company CFOs in attendance.” Finally, Roy says that the conference, as always, offered MGAs and wholesalers the opportunity to network with vendors. “The importance of networking cannot be overstated. Our conference provides our members with the opportunity to network with experts in the technology field.” * |
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