WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 12, 2008—Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
With more than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country in attendance, Collins will be a featured speaker at a breakfast on April 3. Participants will also include agent and broker leaders from Collins’ home state of Maine.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 2 through 4 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“Sen. Collins is a pragmatist and widely regarded as a knowledgeable leader on insurance issues,” says Big “I” President & CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “She is respected by her colleagues and known for her ability to work with members on both sides of the aisle. We’re looking forward to hearing her thoughts in this election year on insurance regulation, natural disaster and other important topics facing our members, their businesses and our nation.”
Collins is uniquely positioned to speak on both insurance and small business issues affecting independent agents. After working for 12 years on the Capitol Hill staff of Maine Senator William Cohen, she joined the cabinet of Maine Governor John McKernan in 1987 as Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation, the office that oversees state insurance regulation. After five years in that post, she served as New England administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration until 1993. She was elected to the Senate in 1996 and was reelected in 2002 with 59% of the vote.
“We’re pleased to have Sen. Collins address our members,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “She has been active on many insurance issues that have come before Congress, including terrorism insurance, and we know our members will want to hear her perspective on the issues we’re bringing to the Hill this year.”
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 agent licensing reform, insurance regulatory reform, flood insurance and natural disasters.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers and the industry’s largest and best-attended trade show. This year’s event will also include an election year debate moderated by Big “I” President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt featuring Democratic strategist Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson of MSNBC’s Tucker.
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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