Illinois Earns THIRD Consecutive Outstanding Young Agents Committee Award
Big “I” Presents 2005 YAC Awards at Sales & Leadership Conference
NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2005—The Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI).
In recognition of its outstanding efforts on behalf of the independent agency system to cultivate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the Illinois YAC was honored as the Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year for the third year in a row.
The award was presented today during the 30th Annual Big “I” Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference held in conjunction with the 2005 Big “I” Convention.
The Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding efforts made by a state young agents committee in the areas of political involvement, membership development, communications, state committee project, and young agents meeting as well as a committee’s promotion of the independent agency system.
“By receiving this award for the third year in a row, the talented Young Agents of Illinois continue to show their dedication to the future of the independent agency system,” said Big “I” President Thomas Grau, CPCU. “This remarkable achievement demonstrates the commitment, hard work, ingenuity, and how thoroughly these young leaders understand their position as the future of independent agencies. The Illinois Young Agents really serve as a great example to young agents everywhere. Their accomplishments set the bar.”
The runner-up in the Outstanding Young Agents Committee Award category was the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana.
Five other national awards of excellence recognizing the leadership of young agents committees in state associations were presented:
Outstanding Political Involvement Award–Young Insurance Professionals of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers, for outstanding achievement in Young Agent participation in the legislative process.
Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award–Young Brokers & Agents Committee of the Insurance Brokers & Agents of the West (California), for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agent meeting.
Outstanding State Committee Project–Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, for outstanding achievement in a state committee project that benefits the community, the insurance industry and/or the independent agency system.
Outstanding Membership Development Award– Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining Young Agent participation in Association activities.
Outstanding Communications Award– Young Agents Committees of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky, for establishing and maintaining an excellent vehicle of communication for the Young Agents in a state.
“We congratulate all the Young Agents Committee award winners. All of this year’s recipients should be tremendously proud of their accomplishments,” said Grau.
The Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference is the industry’s premier young agents event designed to promote the building of leadership skills and the establishment of networking contacts with young agents who comprise the future of the independent agency system. Young agents from across the country are gathering to participate in sessions designed exclusively for young agents, including sales training and skills sessions and an insurance company President’s Panel during which participants discuss their take on the future of the industry.
The Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference takes place in conjunction with the 2005 Big “I” Convention—the Association’s showcase event taking place in New York through Sept. 12. The event features a compelling company CEO roundtable; several prominent guest speakers and panelists; a variety of innovative workshops; the largest exhibit hall in the insurance industry; numerous networking opportunities; and many other exciting events.
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.
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