ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15, 2014 — Big “I” independent insurance agent associations in 24 states were recently recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) with Excellence in Insurance Education (EIE) Awards at the association’s Education Convocation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“The Big ‘I’ Excellence in Insurance Education awards honor the outstanding contributions made by Big ‘I’ state associations through extraordinary efforts in education,” says Cindy Hower, chair of the Big “I” Virtual University curriculum and research committee and president of Kellerman Insurance in Holton, Kansas. “We are greatly pleased to recognize so many state associations that have taken on the challenge of providing quality education programs to our member agents.”
The EIE awards celebrate and recognize state associations and staff who have made significant contributions to education for their members and the industry in the key area of class offerings, continuing education (CE), professionalism, designation offerings, industry collaboration, planning goals, marketing, resources and more. Each entrant is scored based on a state’s overall educational offerings in a variety of areas and a short essay detailing its overall education programs. The 2014 EIE awards were presented as follows:
Diamond:
• Florida Association of Insurance Agents
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
• Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia
• Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska
• Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
• Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
• Kansas Association of Insurance Agents
• Maine Insurance Agents Association
• Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
• Michigan Association of Insurance Agents
• New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents
Gold:
• Alabama Independent Agents Association
• Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware
• Insurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania
• Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma
• Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico
• Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin
• Vermont Insurance Agents Association
Bronze:
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Oregon
• Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois
“The Big ‘I’ greatly appreciates all the hard work by our state associations to develop, promote and implement education programs,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “These continuing education programs are vital to our independent agents, brokers and the clients they serve.”
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 approximately a quarter of a million 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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