WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 2007—National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) will speak to national leaders of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) on April 24, just prior to the group’s Legislative Conference & Convention.
Attendees at the leadership gathering will include Big “I” Executive Committee and Government Affairs Committee members as well as agents and brokers from Cole’s home state of Oklahoma, along with other agent and broker leaders.
More than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country are expected to participate in the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“We’re pleased to have Rep. Cole address our association’s leaders,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “As part of the House leadership, he will provide insight on the new Congress and the current political landscape as well as what issues independent agents and brokers can expect on Capitol Hill in the coming months.”
Elected to Congress in 2002, Chairman Cole immediately put his past political experience as an NRCC staffer to work, becoming very active at the House Republican campaign committee. He assumed the chairmanship earlier this year. Rep. Cole has also been a strong advocate for his district and the people of Oklahoma establishing himself as a strong voice for national defense, small businesses and taxpayers.
“Our association’s leaders are politically active and engaged on the issues that matter to their business,”says says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “We know that they will appreciate Rep. Cole’s perspective on regulation, natural disaster issues, McCarran-Ferguson repeal and other topics important to independent agents and brokers.”
Each year during the legislative conference, Big “I” agents and brokers hold hundreds of meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share their perspective on how legislation affects their business. Top issues this year include McCarran-Ferguson antitrust repeal, insurance regulatory reform, natural disaster issues, terrorism risk insurance and more.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers and the industry’s largest and best-attended trade show. This year’s event will also include an interactive insurance panel discussion, with representatives from the industry, consumer groups and regulators tackling top insurance industry trends and challenges.
To register online and make hotel reservations go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
Founded in 1896, IIABA (the Big “I”) 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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