HOUSE MINORITY WHIP TO ADDRESS BIG “I”
Blunt to speak to agents on April 26
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 22, 2007—House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April.
With more than 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country in attendance, Blunt will be a featured speaker at a breakfast on April 26. Participants will also include agent and broker leaders from Blunt’s home state of Missouri.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“As the number two ranking Republican in the House, Minority Whip Blunt plays a critical role in shaping and advancing legislation affecting independent agents and brokers,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “Blunt is respected by his colleagues, and he’s a true mover and shaker in Congress. We’re looking forward to hearing his thoughts on insurance regulation, natural disaster, terrorism risk insurance and other important topics facing our members, their businesses, and our nation.”
With a background as a public servant, university president and administrator, Blunt came to Congress in 1997 and won his most recent election with 68% of the vote. He rose to become Majority Whip earlier in his career than any Member of Congress in the last seven decades and was reelected to a third term as Republican Whip in November 2006.
“We’re pleased to have Minority Whip Blunt address our members,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “Blunt will provide insight into the changed political landscape on Capitol Hill, along with his perspectives on legislative proposals of crucial importance to agents and salient issues facing our country.”
Each year during the legislative conference, Big “I” agents and brokers hold hundreds of meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share their perspective on how legislation affects their business. Top issues this year include insurance regulatory reform, natural disaster issues, terrorism risk insurance and more.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill, appearances by numerous high-profile speakers and the industry’s largest and best-attended trade show. This year’s event will also include an interactive insurance panel discussion, with representatives from the industry, consumer groups and regulators tackling top insurance industry trends and challenges.
To register online and make hotel reservations go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
Founded in 1896, IIABA (the Big “I”) 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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