Welcome to the Young Agent's Advocate, an electronic newsletter published by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. If you are a young agent (under the age of 40), we invite you to join our young agents mailing list. Simply send an e-mail to Shannon Churchill that includes your name and agency, and we'll add you to our database.

Jason Cass Named Young Agent of the Year by PIIAI
Jason D. Cass with The Insurance Partnership Agency, Centralia, was named recipient of the 2006 PIIAI Young Agent of the Year Award. Jason was recognized for demonstrated service to the insurance industry, professional trade associations, and community in a manner that is considered exceptional for a person of his age.

Jason has been an active producer since 2002. Having completed three CIC courses, he plans to receive his designation by the end of this year. He has been an active member of PIIAI since 2002, serving on the Young Agents and Government Relations Committees. This year Jason was named Chairman of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (PIIAPAC). He was selected as Ambassador of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and is now a member of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce where he serves on the Ambassadors Council and an officer of the Centralia Cares Committee. He also serves several other community organizations including the Centralia Balloonfest Committee, Centralia Elks Club, Centralia Rotary Club, and Southern Illinois Networking Association.

Jason is married to his high school sweetheart, Andrea. They have two sons – Gavin (7) and Rylan (1) – and Jason coaches Gavin’s soccer, basketball, t-ball, football, and baseball teams. His future goals include owning and managing his own insurance agency and becoming more involved in local and state government.

PIIAI Convention Showcase 2006 Another Successful Event

PIIAI held another successful annual convention in Springfield October 4-6, 2006. Over 1200 people attended the 2 ½ day event, and the trade show was packed with 138 exhibitors. Thank you to all of the exhibitors, sponsors and participants that made this event such a success! A full report on convention activities is published in the November issue of Insurance Insight magazine. Photo highlights from the event can be found at http://www.piiai.org/Convention2006/default.htm.

Trusted Choice® Tournament of Champions - Game On!

The Trusted Choice® Tournament of Champions, sponsored by PIIAI, is being held November 24 & 25 (Thanksgiving weekend) in Peoria. This high school basketball challenge will feature 26 teams from across the nation who will ultimately vie for three separate tournament championships. The event also provides a unique opportunity for independent insurance agencies and companies to brand and market their businesses through advertising and sponsorships, providing volunteers to assist at the event, and coordinating local youth groups to attend. PIIAI is still accepting ticket requests for youth groups (complimentary tickets provided) and giveaway items for distribution at our information booths.

For more information on how your agency or company can be involved, please contact Laura Richter or Deann French at the PIIAI office, (800) 628-6436. Complete information, including a listing of participating teams, the top 15 tournament players, schedule of games, ticket information, etc. can be found at http://michaeltwhite.com/tocb/. Information is also available in the current (November) issue of Insurance Insight magazine.

Big “I” National Legislative Conference and Convention Set for April 25-27, 2007

The PIIAI will again be coordinating a delegation to attend the Big “I” National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., the insurance industry’s premier federal lobbying event. In 2006, the Big “I” combined its convention exhibits and education with the Legislative Conference and will continue with the same successful format this year.

PIIAI is hoping to take a group of 70 agents representing each of Illinois’ 19 congressional districts to meet with their legislators.

As an incentive, PIIAI will pay the registration fee and travel stipend for all members who attend. First-time attendees will also be reimbursed for their stay at the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington D.C., on a shared-room basis. Please mark your calendar and contact the PIIAI to reserve your place in the delegation.
To join the Illinois Delegation to DC in 2007, you must:

• Make a minimum contribution to PIIAPAC, our state political action committee, in the current (2007) dues year.
• Make a minimum contribution to InsurPac, our national political action committee.
• Attend 2007 state Insurance Industry Legislative Day in Springfield (date TBD)

Members of the 2006 delegation heard from Retired U.S. General Colin Powell and met with both Senators and 16 other Illinois Members of Congress. For more information, or to find out how you can join the PIIAI at the Big “I” National Legislative Conference and Convention, please contact Jennifer Jacobs at (800) 628-6436, ext. 3013 or email jjacobs@piiai.org.

 

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., The Hanover Insurance Group, Hastings Mutual Ins. Company, IMT Insurance Company, Insight Insurance, Interstate Risk Placement Inc., MetLife Auto & Home, Pekin Insurance, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, SECURA, Standard Mutual Insurance Company, United Fire Group, Victoria Insurance Company, W.A. Schickedanz Agency Inc., West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.