(WASHINGTON - March 9, 2009)—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus, will address the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner on April 30 during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
The Big “I” Large Agent and Broker Roundtable, a group which advises the Big “I” Board of Directors on topics important to large agents and brokers, hosts the annual dinner. The group has recently been working on issues such as agent licensing reform, technology and workflow efficiency, and industry workforce recruitment. Large agents and brokers from around the country, as well as regional and national carrier CEOs, will be in attendance April 30.
“The Big ‘I’ Large Agent and Broker Roundtable is honored that Rep. Larson will be addressing our annual event,” says John Murray, chairman of the Big “I” Large Agent and Broker Roundtable, and CEO, president, and director of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. headquartered in East Greenbush, N.Y. “As a former agency owner himself, Rep. Larson understands the challenges our industry is facing and we look forward to hearing his perspective.”
Rep. Larson was recently elected by his fellow Democrats to lead them as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. In addition to his powerful political role, he serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is the former owner of Larson & Lysik Insurance Company. Larson represents Connecticut’s second congressional district which is comprised of 27 cities and towns from Hartford, Litchfield, and Middlesex Counties, including the capital city of Hartford.
“The Big ‘I’ is honored that Rep. Larson, one of the most influential members of Congress , will participate in our annual legislative conference and convention by addressing the Large Agent and Broker and CEO dinner,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “As a Congressional Leader and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, John is crucial in determining policy on all issues before Congress. We know this influential group of insurance industry leaders will greatly benefit from his perspectives and insight.”
The Big “I” National Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 29 through May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“Rep. Larson is a true expert and player on business and insurance issues that directly impact independent insurance agents and brokers and companies,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “As Congress considers major issues such as financial services regulatory restructuring and health care reform this year, it’s encouraging to know that House Democratic Caucus Chairman Larson understands the important role independent agents and brokers play in the marketplace.”
Additional highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference include: in-depth issues briefing sessions, a panel discussion with top insurance carrier CEOs, a state of the association address by Big “I” chairman Brett Nilsson, a speech by “Freakonomics” author Stephen Dubner, appearances by numerous high-profile industry speakers and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
For registration and hotel information, go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link. Journalists interested in attending, please contact Margarita Tapia, director of public affairs, at (800) 221-7917 or margarita.tapia@iiaba.net for media registration.
Founded in 1896, 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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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