IBA West Sets Sail for Hawaii, May 4-8

With Hawaii as its backdrop, the 2003 IBA West Blue Ribbon Conference will be held at the Mauna Lani Resort May 4-8.

As BRC chairman Jim Wells noted, “This is a time where networking is key. Who can put a price tag on that?”

Each day will begin with general sessions featuring a number of top industry executives scheduled to speak.

“The majority of agents and brokers attending are from California, but we encourage and have attendees from Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and some other states,” Wells commented. “We’re expecting more than 300 people.”

Agents and brokers will have the opportunity to meet with chairmen, CEO’s, COO’s and presidents of insurance companies, and will be able to listen to their views on a number of issues impacting the industry, including the workers’ comp situation in California. Jeff Post, CEO of the Fireman’s Fund, and Donald Hurzeler, CEO of Zurich North America Middle Market, will also speak at the conference.

Ken Bollier, past president of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, will address the audience on changes going on with the State Fund. Wells added that California Commissioner John Garamendi has been invited, as have several other commissioners in the West.

The conference grows each year with feedback from the attendees.

“We get a lot of feedback from the agents during the year and their feedback is critically important as to how we propose the next year’s agenda, who we invite, subjects we address,” Wells remarked.

Offering advice to first-time attendees, Wells noted, “I would say it is important to stop and look at the big picture perspective of the industry from time to time. We are all working very hard in placing insurance to meet the needs of our clients and this event gives us an opportunity to get together and review issues.”

There is still time to register for the event, and more information is available by calling (800) 772-8998 or log onto: www.ibawest. com.