WASHINGTON, D.C., March 12, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 10, 2014.

 

Sen. Bennet will be a keynote speaker at the legislative conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association’s annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. Every year, agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill offices to educate members of the Senate, House and their staff on issues that directly impact independent insurance agents, brokers and the consumers they serve.
 
“The Big ‘I’ is pleased that Sen. Bennet will be addressing our members the morning of our annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “As a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Bennet is influential on many issues that directly impact the independent agency system and America’s small business community. We look forward to hearing his outlook as our agents prepare to meet with their elected representatives.”

 

Sen. Bennet was appointed to the Senate in 2009 and elected by the Centennial State in 2010. He serves on the powerful Senate Finance Committee and is chairman of its Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. He also serves on the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor & Pensions (HELP) and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. He is also a rising political star and serves as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Sen. Bennet previously worked as the Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, as chief of staff to then Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (currently governor) and in the financial services industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University and a law degree from Yale Law School.

 

“Sen. Bennet’s track record of working across the aisle in the Senate on issues that directly impact Big ‘I’ members, such as his co-sponsorship of the NARAB II legislation, is to be commended,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “His commitment to small business has been instrumental throughout his public service. We look forward to hearing his perspective on the important issues facing our industry.”       
 
The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

 

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: terrorism risk insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), agent licensing reform, health insurance, insurance regulatory reform, tax reform 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.

 

Journalists interested in attending, please send an email to margarita.tapia@iiaba.net or call (703) 706-5473 for media registration.

 

 

###