IIAT to Host Joe Vincent Seminar, Legislative Day on Feb. 4-6

More than 400 of the state’s agency principals and managers are expected to gather for the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas’ Joe Vincent Management Seminar & Big I Legislative Day on Feb. 4-6 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

The conference begins on Feb. 5 with the conference’s general session, “Is the Worst Behind Us,” a presentation by chief economist Robert Hartwig with the Insurance Information Institute in New York City.

Hartwig’s research data and his explanation of market factors will provide a glimpse into the future, predicting if we will, indeed, see the market firm.

Attendees will get tips for “How to Soar Like an Eagle in a World Full of Turkeys” with author Robert Stevenson. Stevenson’s humor, stories and vision of success convey the tools for achieving excellence in management like no other speaker.

A panel of young agents will provide a glimpse into the future with “Wired to the Future: How Young Agents Are Using Technology to Make Money.” Managers will hear how these young agents use technology in the sales process and what they should expect of their sales force.

This year’s Joe Vincent Management Seminar once again features workshops designed specifically for four areas of concern to independent agents:

• Automation advancements
• Large agency management
• Small agency management
• Staff development

To make it more convenient for attendees to get exactly the information they need, many of these concurrent workshops will be presented twice.

Automation workshops include:

• “Assessing Your E-Commerce Strategy” by Tim Woods of Artizan Computing, Inc. in Phoenix, Ariz.
• “Low-Cost Automation Solutions for Small Agencies” by Mary Eisenhart of Fuher and Associations, Inc. in Brea, Calif.
• “Preparing Your Agency for Business on the Internet” by Steve Anderson of American Insurance Consultants in Franklin, Tenn.

Principals and managers from large agencies will learn about:

• “Developing an Agency Strategy for Top Prospects” by Mona Carpenter of Insurance Marketing Systems, Inc. in Carrollton, Tex.
• “How to Structure a Marketing Agreement With Your Local Bank” with a panel of agents and bankers, moderated by Karen Neeley of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas in Austin.

Those interested in staff development will explore:

• “Managing Support Staff Compensation” by Carol Hammes, CPCU, editor of The Middleton Letter.
• “Why Producers Fail” by IIAT’s David VanDelinder, CPCU, AAI.

On Sunday, Feb. 4, IIAT staff will present “Preview 2001: Industry Update,” which will brief agents on issues affecting the Texas insurance industry, such as how licensing law changes might affect the nature of competition; new privacy requirements; court cases; resources, including the new IIAT Web site (www.iiat.org); and coverage issues.

Agents can earn continuing education credits for attending most Joe Vincent Seminar sessions. On Feb. 6, IIAT’s Big I Legislative Day kicks-off with a briefing session on IIAT’s legislative issues and goals, followed by meetings with legislators at the state Capitol. The day concludes with an IIAT-sponsored luncheon for agents and legislators at the UT Frank Erwin Center.

For more information or to register, call IIAT at 800/880-7428 or visit www.iiat.org.