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ACT to Offer Real-Time Innovations Workshop During Big "I" Convention

ACT TO OFFER REAL-TIME INNOVATIONS WORKSHOP DURING BIG “I” CONVENTION

Session Slated for Oct. 11

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 7—Agents and brokers can learn about the latest real-time interface technology breakthroughs and security safeguards at Breaking Through to SEMCI While Protecting Agency Security, a workshop that will be presented at the Big “I” Convention next month by the Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

The workshop will be held Oct. 11 as part of the Big “I” annual meeting in Orlando.

Technology leaders representing insurance carriers and agencies will focus on the significant progress being made to achieve the independent agents’ vision of single-entry, multiple-company interface (SEMCI). The workshop also will explore security issues agents must deal with to protect their automation systems.

“A lot is happening today to improve agency technology. This workshop is designed to educate agents on this progress and on the importance of their participation,” says ACT Executive Director Jeffrey M. Yates. “We are excited about the new interfaces that have been introduced, but agent involvement is critical to continued progress and momentum.”

Bob Slocum, ACT chairman and president of The Slocum Agency located in Warwick, R.I., will serve as moderator. In addition to Slocum, workshop presenters will include:

JohnKellington, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Ohio Casualty Group—Kellington will demonstrate how Ohio Casualty can quote and issue new business with the two major agency management systems on a SEMCI basis.
Brian Bartosh, President, Top O’ Michigan Insurance—Bartosh will demonstrate how his agency is employing real-time interfaces for various transactions and how these new efficiencies are increasing his staff’s responsiveness and time management.
Alvito Vaz, Director, Agent Internet Systems, Progressive Insurance—Vaz will advise agents and brokers on the essential steps they should take to protect their agency’s security in an Internet-driven world.
Jeff Yates, ACT Executive Director—Yates will debut a new ACT video on real-time technology innovations and close out the presentations with a review of other ACT technology initiatives and reports of interest to independent agents and brokers. Time also will be allotted for audience questions and discussion of these issues.

The workshop will take place during the 2004 Big “I” Convention on Monday afternoon, Oct. 11. The convention, scheduled for Oct. 9 through 12, falls on the three-day Columbus Day holiday weekend, which allows agents and brokers with pre-school and school-aged children to mix business with a mini-vacation that offers children of all ages opportunities for family fun and relaxation. The convention hotel—the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel—is located on the Disney World property and is minutes from Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, Disney golf courses and many other fabulous family attractions in the Orlando area.

Convention attendees also can register for the Best Practices Business Symposium, taking place during the Big “I” convention Oct. 10 and 11. The symposium is an intensive program of group events, networking opportunities and informative workshops designed to give agency owners and their management staff the tools and expertise to attain their agencies’ business and sales goals.

Additionally, agents and brokers also can register to attend the Big “I” Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference. The conference, which will precede the Big “I” Convention Oct. 8 through 10, will feature sessions designed exclusively for young agents including sales training and leadership skills sessions.

For more information about the ACT workshop, please contact Jeff Yates at (800) 221-7917 or jeff.yates@iiaba.net. For more information about the Big “I” Convention, Best Practices Business Symposium and the Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference, go to www.independentagent.com and select “Events and Conferences.”

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.

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