WASHINGTON, D.C., March 19, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) will address the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner on April 10 during the Big “I” Legislative Conference.

 

 “The Big ‘I’ is pleased to announce that Rep. McMorris Rodgers will be addressing our annual gathering of top agents and brokers, leadership and industry executives,” says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “As the Republican Conference Chair, the fourth ranking leader in the House of Representatives, who worked for her family’s business and has a long history of working in a bipartisan fashion, Rep. McMorris Rodgers has a unique perspective on the work before Congress. We are honored that she will be joining us April 10.”

 

The Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner is sponsored by the Big “I” Large Agent and Broker Roundtable, a group which advises the Big “I” Board of Directors on many important topics. The group has recently been working on issues such as agent licensing reform, terrorism risk insurance, and industry workforce recruitment. Large agents and brokers from around the country, as well as regional and national carrier CEOs, will be in attendance.

 

“The Big ‘I’ has a long history of working closely with Rep. McMorris Rodgers on important issues that directly impact independent insurance agents, brokers and insurance consumers,” says Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs. “We are grateful to Rep. McMorris for her hard work as an advocate for small business, particularly in the health care debate.”

 

Rep. McMorris Rodgers is well-known as a rising star in the Republican Party and was elected to the House in 2004. As the chair of the House Republican Conference, she is the fourth highest ranking party leader in the House. Rep. McMorris Rodgers serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over many important issues for the independent agency system. Prior to being elected to Congress, she worked for her family’s business and served in the Washington State Legislature. Rep. McMorris Rodgers was the first in her family to graduate from college and went on to earn an executive MBA from the University of Washington.

 

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.

 

 

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