WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 31, 2013 —Veteran Washington insiders and political commentators Dana Perino and Juan Williams will headline the political panel at The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) annual Legislative Conference & Convention this spring.

Perino is a FOX News political commentator, co-host of FOX’s “The Five” and former White House Press Secretary. Williams is a FOX political contributor, a best-selling author and a veteran journalist. The political panel will be held on Friday, April 19 at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Grand Hyatt Washington and moderated by Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO.

 

“Dana Perino and Juan Williams are two of the most respected journalists and political experts in the country,” says Rusbuldt. “They truly bring thoughtfulness and intellectual honesty to the political debate in Washington, D.C. Attendees at the Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference will learn from true insiders who have their fingers on the pulse of our nation’s leaders and decision-makers. We look forward to their insight from opposing sides of the political spectrum on an array of important issues to independent agents and brokers, such as health care, tax implications and much more.”

 

Williams is a political analyst for FOX News and a regular panelist on FOX News Sunday and the weekday political newscast “Special Report with Bret Baier.” He previously hosted NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” and was instrumental in increasing the ratings for the radio network’s political coverage during his more than 10 year career at NPR. Williams’s distinguished career also included 23 years as a Washington Post political columnist and national correspondent. He has received numerous awards for his writing and investigative journalism including an Emmy Award. He has also authored seven books including his latest, “Muzzled: The Assault on Honest Debate.”

 

Perino is a FOX political commentator and co-host of FOX’s “The Five.” She served as White House press secretary during the administration of President George W. Bush from 2007-2009. She was only the second female White House press secretary and the first female Republican to serve in that role. Currently, Perino is also president of the strategic communications firm, Dana Perino and Company and editorial director of Crown Forum (an imprint of Crown Publishing Group). Perino is an active philanthropist and founded Minute Mentoring, an organization focused on providing professional guidance to young women starting their careers. Her distinguished career includes working on Capitol Hill and as a journalist.

 

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 17-19 at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C.

 

The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include: tax reform, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), insurance regulatory reform, agent licensing reform, health insurance, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), terrorism risk insurance, and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and the industry. 

 

Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference 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 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.

 

 

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