Young Agent Forum

Big "I" Young Agents Institute set for September

Technology and social media are on the agenda

By Andy Beauchamp

Each fall, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s (IIABA) National Young Agents Committee (YAC) hosts the Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute. As chairman of the National Young Agents Committee, I am honored to have been part of this event since its inception.

At first, the goal was simple: to give young agents a platform to share new ideas, learn technical and leadership skills, and network with other leading insurance professionals who have walked a mile in their shoes. The Institute has evolved into a premier gathering through which attendees can gain an extra advantage necessary to excel in an industry that’s both lucrative and personally rewarding.

Technology is top of mind for today’s young insurance professionals, and the Big “I” National YAC knows how critical it is for agents to have an advanced understanding of new tools and resources in order to be competitive. This year’s Young Agents Leadership Institute includes seminars that focus on how technology can help increase their return on investment (ROI) and improve their time management.

Social media champions and fellow Big “I” young agents Chris Jordan of Atlanta Insurance Live and Ryan Hanley of Guilderland Agency, Inc., will share their marketing secrets for using both traditional and new media to grow business in any economy.

Agents will find new and affordable ways to increase consumer visibility while positioning themselves as industry experts in their communities. New technology will also take center stage when the Agents Council for Technology (ACT) hosts a game of Jeopardy, an educational and entertaining team Q&A game on workflow, agency management and other hot industry topics.

The Presidents’ Panel with Big “I” Leadership is new to the Leadership Institute line-up, but it has been a long-time favorite of Big “I” members at other events. During the breakfast meeting, company CEOs and Big “I” Leadership will participate in a panel discussion on trends and topics affecting the independent agency system.

The Institute also features a top-notch keynote speaker who will address how agents can create real results, generate effective strategy and think innovatively. There will be plenty of networking opportunities, including a welcome reception, awards reception and a festive evening cruise around San Francisco’s harbor.

Each year at this conference, the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee presents the Outstanding Young Agent Committee Awards. These awards recognize the committee of the year, as well as volunteer committees that excel in political involvement, communica­tions, membership, events and, state committee project/community service projects.

New to this year’s line-up is the inaugural Best First-Time submission award for the state that has not submitted for any category in the last three years. This group then becomes a contributor to the greatly anticipated annual “Magnificent 7” panel discussion during which the committee winners share techniques and ideas for becoming the best of the best.

During the YA State Liaisons Committee Chairs and National YAC Roundtable, state young agent committee chairs and state Big “I” staff will have the opportunity to put their heads together to discuss challenges to and successes with growing the independent agency system and attracting young professionals to the association and the industry. Attendees also will share ideas on successful events, fundraising techniques, and other ways to engage and educate young professionals.

If you are an agency principal, the Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute is one of the best investments you can make in your producers, CSRs and other personnel who are 40 years old or younger. If you’re serious about agency and industry perpetua­tion, sending your employees to this conference will strengthen your agency’s position and future.

I look forward to seeing our young agent community in California on September 24-25 at the Fairmont San Francisco. For more details and to register, visit www.independentagent.com/events then click on the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference link.

The author
Andy Beauchamp is Big “I” National Young Agents Committee chairman and vice president of the Morrison Galliher Agency in Muncie, Indiana, and its parent company, Beauchamp & McSpadden.