• Keynote speaker Former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell.
• CEO panel featuring Edward M. Liddy, chairman and CEO, The Allstate Corporation; Ramani Ayer, chairman and CEO, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.; Paula Rosput Reynolds, president and CEO, Safeco Corporation; Gary R. Gregg, president and CEO, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets; and Michael Browne, president and CEO, Harleysville Insurance.
• Capitol Hill visits. The Optional Federal Regulation bill will be introduced shortly, and your promotion of independent agents’ legislative agenda is essential.
• A Congressional reception in the U.S. Capitol with Illinois Members of Congress

PIIAI will pay conference registration fees and a travel stipend for all members who attend. First-time attendees will also be reimbursed for their two-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Washington on a shared-room basis. PIIAI has rooms available for our members at the Grand Hyatt, but they must be reserved no later than Monday, March 13th. For more information on this trip, please contact Jennifer Jacobs at (217) 321-3013 or email jjacobs@piiai.org.

2006 Young Agents Midwest Conference

For the fourth year, the Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota Associations have joined together to sponsor the 2006 Midwest Conference.  This exciting and educational event, designed for newer insurance professionals and their families will be held June 15-17 at the Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. The site is the home of the largest indoor waterpark in the United States.  Learning sessions include E&O Loss Prevention, How an Insurance Company Works, Personal Lines Potpourri, Unusual Claims and Serious Insurance Games.  Social activities include two fabulous dinner events and a ride on a World War II amphibious Duck.  Kids have their own private party on Friday evening to allow parents to enjoy quality adult time.  The special lodging rate at the Kalahari Resort is $125 per night and includes up to four waterpark passes.  For more information click here and watch your mail for the “official” brochure.

Following the success of the past internship programs, PIIAI is again seeking agencies interested in hiring qualified intern candidates from some of the top universities in the state. The summer program offers a pool of young talent available to participating agencies allowing the agencies to mold the future of the industry.  If you chose to hire an intern through this program, your agency will be responsible for compensation and guiding the student through an eight-week program that allows them to experience the independent agency system. Different from previous years the 2006 program will be completely on-line.  Students will have the opportunity to search the list of agencies looking to fill positions and agencies can search the database of students.  If your agency is interested in participating in this program please go to the Internship website at http://www.piiai.org/internship/ and fill out the agency sign-up form.

PIIAI Accepting College Scholarship Applications

The Young Agents Committee, in conjunction with PIIAI, is sponsoring four college sponsorships: G.A. Mavon Memorial Scholarship ($1,000 per semester), Roy & Harriet Robinson Scholarship ($500 per semester), Keith Payne Memorial Scholarship ($500 per semester), and Independent Insurance Agents of Kane County Scholarship ($500 per year). To be eligible, students must be a resident of Illinois (IIAKC recipient must be a resident of Kane County); have junior or senior status in college; be in a business degree program with an interest in insurance; be a full-time student; write a brief essay; and have a letter of recommendation from a PIIAI sponsor (current member in good standing or retired member). This is an excellent program to offer to clients and/or agency personnel with college-bound children. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2006. Click here for more information and to print a copy of the scholarship application.

AUGIE Technology Survey

As a young agent, you will be directly impacted and most affected by the technology and workflow improvements made as a result of the agent input received on the AUGIE Agency Technology Survey currently being conducted.  That’s why it is so very important for you to take about 20 minutes, go to http://www.piiai.org/misc/AUGIESurvey0106.html and complete this survey. Make your voice heard to improve your industry and be proactive about your future. All agents who complete the survey will be entered in a daily drawing for a $100 American Express gift card.

IIABA and the Agents Council for Technology (ACT) fully support AUGIE's efforts in conducting this major industry survey and implore you to take the time to complete it. Deadline is March 19.

For more information on upcoming classes, visit the PIIAI Education Center.

Thank you to our Young Agents Sponsors! 
Their financial contributions have enabled PIIAI to offer activities to young agents at substantial cost savings.
AAA Insurance, Allied Insurance, The Andover Cos., Arlington/Roe & Company, Inc., CCMSI, Century-National Ins. Co., Cincinnati Insurance, Constitutional Casualty Co., Consumers Insurance Company, Drive Insurance from Progressive, Erie Insurance Group, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance, General Casualty Co., Grange Insurance Companies, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., Hanover Insurance Company, Hastings Mutual Ins. Company, IMT Insurance Company, Insight Insurance, Interstate Risk Placement Inc., MetLife Auto & Home, Pekin Insurance, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, Standard Mutual Insurance Company, United Fire Group, Victoria Insurance Company, W.A. Schickedanz Agency Inc., West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.