ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 5, 2012 — Big “I” independent insurance agent associations in 19 states today were recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) with Excellence in Insurance Education (EIE) Awards at the association’s Education Convocation in Atlanta.
“The Big ‘I’ Excellence in Insurance Education awards recognize and celebrate the tremendous contributions made by Big ‘I’ state associations through extraordinary efforts to improve education,” says Cindy Hower, chair of the Big “I” Virtual University curriculum and research committee and president of Kellerman Insurance in Holton, Kan. “We greatly appreciate and are honored to recognize the hard work our associations have put forth 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 its overall education programs. The 2012 EIE awards were presented as follows:
Diamond:• Florida Association of Insurance Agents
• Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York
• Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina
Gold:• Kansas Association of Insurance Agents
• Maine Insurance Agents Association
• Michigan Association of Insurance Agents
• New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey
• Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
• Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
Bronze:• Alabama Independent Agents Association
• Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana
• Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland
• Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska
• Insurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania
“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 the clients they serve.”
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 approximately a quarter of a million 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. ###