(WASHINGTON – Jan. 21, 2009)—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) announced that “Freakonomics” author Stephen Dubner will address their annual National Legislative Conference & Convention.
“Stephen Dubner is a respected, forward-thinking journalist and it will be both educational and fascinating to have him address our membership,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “Dubner’s controversial, yet eye-opening rogue ‘Freakonomics’ will certainly enlighten our annual Legislative Conference & Convention.”
The Big “I” National Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 29 through May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Approximately 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country are expected to attend.
“Freakonomics” quickly became a cultural phenomenon and spent more than two years on The New York Times bestseller list with more than three million copies sold in more than 30 languages. Dubner argues that economics is the study of incentives, or how people get what they want or need when others want or need the same thing.
Dubner is scheduled to speak on Friday, May 1 at 3:00 p.m. He will address the general session, which will also include a state of the association address by Big “I” chairman Brett Nilsson and an insurance carrier CEO panel moderated by Big "I" president & CEO Bob Rusbuldt.
Highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference will include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
The legislative conference is an opportunity for agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include insurance regulation, natural catastrophes, health insurance distribution, tax issues and more.
For registration and hotel information, go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link. Journalists interested in attending, please contact Margarita Tapia, director of public affairs, at (800) 221-7917 or margarita.tapia@iiaba.net for media registration.
Founded in 1896, 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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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