Technology and All That Jazz: AAMGA Automation & Tech. Conference
The American Association of Managing General Agents will hold their annual Insurance Automation & Technology Conference March 14-16, 2004, at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, La. The theme of the conference this year is “Technology and All That Jazz.”
Approximately 250 agency principals, company representatives and information technology leaders will convene to learn how to advance automation and technology solutions in their respective operations.
The conference will feature a 40-exhibitor trade fair where attendees can talk with experts on the latest products and services available. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to discuss their products in showcase presentations. Exhibitors such as AMS/Rackley, Corban Systems, DocuCorp, ISO, Mountain View Software, ORCA Software Inc. and Sirius Financial Systems will provide an overview of their products and discuss industry trends and issues in 45-minute presentations.
There will also be a session on data security and protection featuring presentations by Dave Hendrixson, director of IT and Risk Management at Scottsdale Insurance Co., and Jim Gay and Michael P. Smith of Nationwide Services Co. They will discuss data security compliance laws and examine case studies.
Additionally, there will be several panel discussions, including an interactive panel discussion on data interface featuring Bruce Fiori, second vice president of Small Business Agency and Field Automation of the St. Paul’s/Travelers Property Casualty Co.; Tapley Johnson, president of TAPCO Underwriters; and Jeff Yates, executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology. The interactive discussion will emphasize the benefits of data interfacing, methods used in the past and how to achieve uniformity.
Other highlights include:
• A presentation titled “The Process of Implementation from RFP to Going Live” by Philip R. Balinger of the Surplus Stamping Office of Texas. Balinger will describe how to make an effective, seamless transition to a new system. The step-by-step process will also emphasize the many dangers to avoid when implementing new technology.
• An update on the London Standards Project sponsored by the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices and presented by Gary Clark, director of Millers (North America) from London, England and Benita Grayton of ACORD. This international insurance project will create standards on reporting for exposures and binding authority. The program will describe the new standards and how to use them.
• A two-part round-table discussion on open source code and the benefits of sharing information. The first part will explain the technology of open source code and how to apply it to the business model. The second part of the discussion provides a way to network with other attendees and learn from their experiences. Emphasis will be on sharing ideas that have worked in the past and how to best meet industry challenges ahead.
To learn more about the conference, visit www.aamga.org.