WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 11, 2010 - The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) announced that Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) will address the annual Leadership Luncheon, just prior to the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention.
The event will be held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on Tuesday, March 2. Attendees will include Big “I” executive and government affairs committee members, agents and brokers from Rep. Ross’s home state of Arkansas and other industry leaders.
“Rep. Ross is a true champion for small businesses and independent agents,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “He isn’t afraid to tackle tough issues, even if it means disagreeing with his own political party. As a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, he fights for fiscal reasonability and government accountability, two issues at the top of the Big ‘I’ agenda. As a former insurance agent, he knows firsthand the important role our members play in protecting families, consumers and small businesses.”
Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) serves on the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce (including the Energy, Health and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees) and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Viewed as a rising star, his leadership skills and workhorse approach have been hailed in Washington and by his party since he was first elected to Congress in 2000. Ross is in his fifth term and represents the Natural State’s fourth congressional district, which includes the southern region of the state.
“Big ‘I’ leaders are politically active and engaged on issues that matter to their clients and businesses,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “We are honored that Rep. Ross will be meeting with the Big ‘I’ leadership team and look forward to his perspectives on the latest developments in the House on issues that directly affect the thousands of independent insurance agents and brokers across the country.”
The Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place March 3-5 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers; a CEO panel comprised of top carrier presidents & CEOs (CNA, The Hartford, Fireman’s Fund and Safeco will participate) 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 should 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.
# # #