ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 30, 2011 — Big “I” independent insurance agent associations in 18 were recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) with Excellence in Insurance Education (EIE) Awards at the recent education convocation in Minneapolis, Minn.
“The Big ‘I’ Excellence in Insurance Education awards recognize and celebrate the tremendous contributions made by our state associations through numerous efforts to improve education,” says Patty Padon, chair of the Big “I” Virtual University curriculum and research committee and benefits consultant for Pat Campbell Insurance in Las Cruces, N.M. “We have always appreciated the hard work our associations have put forth and taking on the challenge of providing quality education programs to our member agents.”
The EIE awards celebrate and recognize state associations and staff who have made significant contributions to education for their members and the industry in the key area of class offerings, continuing education (CE), professionalism, designation offerings, industry collaboration, planning goals, marketing, resources and more. Each entrant is scored based on a state’s overall educational offerings in a variety of areas and a short essay detailing their overall education programs. The 2011 EIE awards were presented as follows:
Diamond:
Florida Association of Insurance Agents
Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia
Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York
Gold:
Kansas Association of Insurance Agents
Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Hampshire
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey
Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina
Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
Bronze:
Alabama Independent Agents Association
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware
Maine Insurance Agents Association
Insurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania
Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
“The Big ‘I’ greatly appreciates the hard work all our state associations put forth on education programs,” says Madelyn Flanagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “These continuing education programs are increasingly more important and helpful to our independent agents, brokers and consumers.”
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, and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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