(ALEXANDRIA, VA., Sept. 24, 2008) --The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina at the 2008 Young Agents Leadership Institute.

In recognition of its outstanding efforts on behalf of the independent agency system to cultivate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the North Carolina YAC was honored as the Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts made by North Carolina’s Young Agents in the areas of political involvement, membership development, communications, state committee project and young agents meeting, as well as the committee’s promotion of the independent agency system.

 The runner-up in the Outstanding Young Agents Committee Award category was the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.

Five other national awards of excellence recognizing the leadership of Young Agents committees in state associations were presented:

Outstanding Political Involvement Award– The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Inc. for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent participation in the legislative process.

Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award– The Young Brokers and Agents Committee of the Insurance Brokers & Agents of the West, for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agents meeting.

Outstanding State Committee Project– The Young Agents Council of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, for outstanding achievement in a state committee project that benefits the community, the insurance industry, and/or the independent agency system.

Outstanding Membership Development Award– The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining Young Agents participation in association activities.

Outstanding Communications Award– The Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc, for outstanding achievement in maintaining a communications campaign dedicated to young agents.

The 2008 Young Agents Leadership Institute, a two day conference held at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was kicked off with a roundtable discussion between state association staff and committee chairs. The event also featured technology and personal data breach risks presentations and attendees were inspired and motivated by keynote speaker Jeff Tobe. Representatives from the award winning states participated in a panel discussion to share their success stories with other state committee leaders. Attendees were also able to network with peers, Big “I” leaders and company representatives to develop valuable professional and personal contacts.
 
Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.

###