IIABA ANNOUNCES CEO PANEL FOR ORLANDO CONVENTION
Industry Leaders Will Discuss Pressing Issues during October Event
ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 18—Five well-respected insurance industry leaders will participate in a CEO panel discussion during the opening session of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s (IIABA) Convention in Orlando, announces Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt today.
CEOs participating as panelists for the discussion are Ramani Ayer, CEO, The Hartford; Bill Berkley, CEO, W.R. Berkley Corporation; Mike McGavick, CEO, Safeco; Greg Murphy, CEO, Selective; and Ron Pressman, CEO, General Electric (GE) ERC.
Thousands of independent insurance agents, brokers and other insurance professionals are expected to attend the Association’s premier event, which will be held Oct. 9 through 12 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel near Orlando, Fla.
Rusbuldt will moderate the discussion, which will tackle major issues affecting the agency system and the insurance industry. Panelists are expected to discuss federal and state legislation, market trends, technology initiatives, industry diversity activities, branding of the agency force and more.
“Each year, the CEO panel is one of the most anticipated events of the Big ‘I’ Convention because agents and brokers learn directly from these industry leaders about the issues that will impact their livelihood for months ahead. Nowhere else can agents and brokers get this type of intelligence than at the Big ‘I’ Convention,” says Rusbuldt.
Ayer has served as chairman, president and CEO of The Hartford since 1997. Previously he served as executive vice president of The Hartford from December 1995 to February 1997. Ayer joined the company in 1973 as a member of the operations research department.
Berkley founded W.R. Berkley Corporation in 1967 and has served continuously as chairman and CEO. During his career, Berkley has founded a number of companies and chairs or serves on the boards of several banks and other financial institutions.
McGavick is chairman, president and CEO of Safeco. Prior to joining Safeco, McGavick held a number of executive positions at Chicago-based CNA Financial Corporation, including president and chief operating officer of the company’s largest operating unit which was responsible for the majority of CNA’s commercial insurance business.
Murphy has been chairman, president and CEO of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. since May 2000. Previously, he held various positions with Selective including serving as president and chief operating officer. Murphy joined Selective in 1980.
Pressman joined GE ERC as chairman, president and CEO in July 2000. Prior to that, he held numerous leadership positions within GE, including general manager of GE’s Central and Eastern European operations, CEO of GE Power Systems Europe and president of GE Capital Real Estate.
The Big “I” Convention features nationally recognized speakers, such as Terry Bradshaw, the Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of Fame quarterback, as well as insightful continuing-education workshops, numerous networking events and the largest trade show in the insurance industry.
Separately, young agents and brokers will gather immediately before the Big “I” Convention—Oct. 8-10—for the Young Agent Sales & Leadership Conference. This event promotes building sales and leadership skills and establishing networking contacts.
Lastly, the Best Practices Business Symposium will be held Oct. 10 and 11, also at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel. The symposium features group events, networking opportunities and informative workshops designed to give agency owners the tools to attain their agencies’ business and sales goals.
Because these meetings fall on the three-day Columbus Day holiday weekend, the Big “I” Convention will give agents and brokers with children the opportunity to mix a little business with a fantastic mini-vacation that provides children of all ages exciting opportunities, family fun and relaxation. The convention hotel is located on the Disney World property and is minutes from Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, Disney golf courses and many other fabulous family attractions.
To monitor updates for the convention, the Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference and the Best Practices Business Symposium or to register for any of these events, visit www.independentagent.com and click on the “Events & Conferences” link.
For pictures of any or all of the CEO panelists, please contact Jemarion Jones at jemarion.jones@iiaba.net.
Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.