Delaware agents converge in Rehoboth for annual convention
The DAIAB provides networking, education opportunities
Contact:
Karen Robison
(717) 795-9100 Ext. 606
REHOBOTH, Del. – Nearly 250 independent agents, CSRs and company personnel gathered in Rehoboth, Del., June 9-11 for the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ 52nd annual convention. The event included educational seminars, social outings and a trade show and culminated with a banquet and awards ceremony.
“The convention was a success,” said John Yasik, chairman of the DAIAB. “It has become a staple gathering for who’s who in the Delaware insurance world and draws a loyal crowd.”
Attendees mix business with pleasure
The event kicked off on Wednesday with social outings. DAIAB members and company representatives mingled on the greens at the Kings Creek Country Club, over fishing on a chartered boat and in the shopping district of Cape May, N.J.
That evening they took part in a reception, followed by a charity Texas hold’em poker tournament that raised $450 for the American Cancer Society’s Delmarva Division’s Insure-a-Cure Relay for Life Team.
On Thursday, attendees took part in a CSR-appreciation luncheon and earned continuing-education credits at four seminars. Renowned industry experts David Digman, Jerry Milton and Krista Yankowski taught sessions on D&O and professional liability; agency development; ethics and E&O; and personal-lines coverage.
Keynote speaker talks lemonade, black bean soup
Alex Soto, president of InSource, Inc. and former Big “I” president, provided an executive leadership session on Thursday. It addressed how politics, eroding industry confidence and a soft market have converged and how agents can make lemonade out of those accumulating lemons.
“Alex talked about his own agency, which overcame the same obstacles the rest of the industry is facing,” said Yasik. “He’s making adjustments and finding a way to thrive and even add producers.”
The convention culminated that evening with a banquet dinner, where Soto provided the convention’s keynote address. Titled “Black Bean Soup for the Soul,” his presentation covered the current political and social climate in Cuba.
Association recognizes local industry leaders
The banquet also included an awards ceremony, where several attendees were lauded for their contributions to the association and the Delaware insurance community.
Association leadership presented DAIAB-member Scott Foltz of the Pfister Insurance Agency in Dover, Del., with the Wharton-Ranalli Leadership Award; DAIAB CEO and President Rick Russell with the Francis B. Gebhart Memorial Award; and two recent high school graduates with $1,500 Joann Scott Memorial Scholarships. Megan Marshall of Thomas J. Hornung & Associates in Wilmington, Del., also was recognized for winning Delaware’s CSR of the Year Award – an honor sponsored by The National Alliance for Insurance & Education.
“We used this opportunity to announce a new award as well,” said Yasik. “The William H. Lenhart, Jr. Award, named in honor of our friend Bill from Lititz Mutual Insurance Company, will recognize those who forge strong agency-company relationships.”
Save the date
The DAIAB will host its 53rd annual convention June 8-10, 2010 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
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About the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers
The Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers delivers preeminent programs, products and services to 60 member agencies. Led by dedicated agent volunteers and staffed by 40 professionals, the DAIAB is recognized and respected nationally for its industry-leading efforts in agent professional development, advocacy, industry information and knowledge base, communications and more. The DAIAB is affiliated with the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.
For more information, visit www.iabgroup.com.
