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Highlights of the
38th Annual Professional Insurance Agents of Oregon/Idaho
Conference and Trade Show
May 22-25, Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, Oregon
Treasure underscored the 38th Annual PIA Oregon/Idaho Convention and Trade Show theme of bringing it all together. A record 414 agents, company representatives and exhibitors at Sunriver found the event to be a gem.
Everyone treasured the excellent products and services on display at the exhibition hall, nuggets of valuable information were found in the line-up of education and not even the pirates of old had more fun than independent insurance agents and the company reps and exhibitors who provide them with products. To top it off, those attending were blessed with four warm, sunny days and some of the most beautiful country in the Northwest.
This event sets the high water mark for agent/company networking. It truly provides a great value. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
The convention kicked off with the annual golf tourney and kickoff party on the 22nd. Over 100 golfers enjoyed excellent competition and time together on the links and everyone had a blast at the Pirates of the Caribbean kick off party later in the day. Singer-comedian Michael John brought down the house when he included several pirate-garbed and non-costumed attendees in his act. They did everything from doo-wops to actually singing - do we dare call it that? - songs.
Day two featured an unforgettable keynote address from Willamette University head football coach Mark Speckman. By nature, football coaches are excellent motivators but his presentation went well-beyond average motivational talk. Mark - who was born with no hands - talked how to achieve excellence even when life deals you obstacles that seem insurmountable.
The convention is the premier event for insurance professionals in Oregon/Idaho. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
A record number of exhibitors presented a cache of products and services to the record number of agents. New to the annual PIA convention this year:
American Modern Insurance Group
Bristol West Insurance Group
Eagle West Insurance HCC Surety Group
McNeil & Company
NW Preferred Federal Credit Union
Oregon Fire/EMS Pak (Nicholson & Assoc.)
Thomson Technology Solutions
UPAC Premium Finance, Inc.
Victoria Insurance
Also exhibiting were PIA supporters who attend all of our conventions:
AAA Oregon
AIG
AIG
AIG Agency Auto
Alpine Risk Management Corp. LLC
AMS Services
Applied Systems, Inc.
Austin Mutual Insurance Company
Big Sky Underwriters
CBIC
Cochrane & Company
Commerce West Insurance Company
Crump Insurance Services NW, Inc.
Encompass Insurance
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Gilligan, Ryan, Jorgenson & Co., P.S.
Great American Insurance Group - Human Services Division, ELD Division
Indemnity Excess & Surplus Agency
Kadel's Auto Body
Magna Carta Companies
MassMutual
MetLife Auto & Home
Mid Valley General Agency
Multico Rating Systems
Mutual Insurance Services
Networked Insurance Agents
Oak Street Funding
PIA Pacific NW Service Corp.
Red Shield Insurance Company
Safeco National Programs
Sagamore Insurance Company
Sentry/Dairyland Insurance
ServPro
Siuslaw Finance
Superior Underwriters
Unitrin Specialty Lines
Western Maritime Insurance Services
Western States Insurance
In ancient days treasure hunters found their plunder on huge sailing ships. Their captains were bold, courageous leaders. The PIA's leaders are a board of directors carrying the same attributes. A new board was elected at the annual business meeting:
Randy Carlton - President, Cascade Insurance
John Desmarteau - President Elect, Beaver State Insurance
Pete Lackner - Vice President, Rose City Associates
Gary Steffen - Treasurer, Safe and Sound Insurance
Secretary - Chris Huwaldt, Huwaldt Insurance
Rich Kingsley - Immediate Past President, Cammack-Kingsley Insurance
John Faherty - National Director, Fullerton and Company
Directors:
Wendy Abel-Hatzel, Abel insurance Agency
Bill Assendrup, Clear Lakes Agency
Ron Baker, Rhodes Warden Insurance
Peter Ball, Corvallis Insurance Services
Tom Bauer, R. Bauer Insurance
Glenda Lile, Prineville Insurance Agency
Tyrone Snelling, Liberty Northwest
Mike Stratton, Stratton Insurance Services
New Directors
Steve Sparkes, Rose City Associates
Michael Ogdon, Western States of Albany
Dennis McGanty, Oregon Mutual Insurance Company
Tim Bangert, Cascade Insurance Center
No independent agent should operate as a non-member of the PIA/Western Alliance. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
Treasure hunting is hard work but the rewards are many. Rewards are also a big part of any PIA convention.
This year the PIA Oregon/Idaho board won a unique award from PIA National. The Chairman's Challenge Award is given to those states whose entire board of directors contributed to the National PIA PAC. Terry Adams led the charge and Oregon/Idaho is one of three chapters with100-percent participation.
PIA Chairman's Challenge PAC pins were presented to the following board members:
Michael Stratton
John Desmarteau
Terry Adams
Glenda Lile
Peter Ball
Gary Steffen
Ed Ellingsen
Pete Lackner
Darlene Grant
Richard Kingsley
Randy Carlton
John Faherty
Chris Huwaldt
Wendy Abel-Hatzel
William Assendrup
In the CIC/CISR portion of the annual luncheon, Kathleen Long of Rogers, Fitzwalter and Powell was named 2005 CSR of the Year. At the same time, 15 CIC recipients and one CISR recipient from PIA's education classes attended and received their designations.
Glenda Lile - the education committee chair - received an award as the Committee Chairperson of the year. PIA lobbyist Lana Butterfield was given a presidential citation by Oregon/Idaho president, Rich Kingsley for her hard work on your behalf.
Other awards:
Blinders Award (Underwriter of the Year): Jessie Dziggel
AAMGA: Ed Ellingsen
Specialty Agency of the Year: Brown Insurance of Woodburn
Specialty Lines Company Representative of the Year: Craig Stahl
Oregon Company Representative of the Year: Dick Vickers
The PIA Oregon/Idaho Agent of the Year was no surprise. In recent memory, no one has done more for the PIA than Terry Adams. He's currently the president of PIA National and an integral part of the team that made tremendous changes at PIA National. Those changes have translated into phenomenal growth for PIA on a national level.
In addition, Adams has been a key player in forming the PIA Western Alliance. It is now the fastest growing trade association in the nation.
The PIA convention is the best place to pick up ideas and utilize them in daily business. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
Education is one of the main reasons agents and company representatives attend PIA conventions. The offering in 2005 is one of the best ever. Classes ranged from ethics, E&O and fraud to the impact of meth labs on insurance to the latest information on the agent/broker disclosure controversy. And no PIA convention would be complete without an update on doings at the legislature. Though Oregon Insurance Administrator, Joel Ario was unable to make this year's convention, his legislative liaison Michael Morter was able to fill his shoes.
Again, everyone attending loved this year's convention and found it to be the best PIA Oregon/Idaho convention ever. First-timers were impressed and will be back next year. So will those who only attend once in awhile.
An excellent opportunity to connect with carriers and meet and share with other agents! - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
A big thank you is in order for those who sponsored the convention and made it the crown jewel of all independent agent conventions. Without their support, there is no PIA Oregon/Idaho convention:
Diamond Sponsors - $3,000
Drive Insurance by Progressive
Unitrin Family of Companies
Ruby Sponsors - $2000
Liberty Northwest
Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company
Emerald Sponsor - $1,500
AIG - Agency Auto
Allied Insurance
Oregon Mutual Insurance Company
SAIF Corporation
Sublimity Insurance
Zurich North America
Sapphire Sponsor - $1,000
AIG
Bristol West Insurance Group \
Cochrane & Company
Continental Western
Grange Insurance Group
Premium Finance Specialists
PIA Pacific Northwest Service Corp.
PIA Trust
Opal Sponsor - $500
Contractors Insurance Services
Hallmark General Agency
Mid Valley General Agency
Oregon Surplus Lines Assn.
In kind
AAA Oregon
What a great time! I am going to come again and again. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
Like all PIA conventions there was plenty of plunder to go around. Many agents, company reps and exhibitors walked away with nice prizes but the nicest of all was the $1000 travel voucher from AAA Oregon. It was given to Sherry Been of Stratton Insurance Services. Cindy Clark of Western States took home the free registration and two night stay at Sunriver for the 2006 convention.
The PIA convention is the premier insurance event of every year. Every independent agent should attend. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention
A thank you is also in order for the volunteer group of agents and company representatives who served on the convention committee and organized the 2005 convention:
Chairwoman, Pam Kingsley, Cammack-Kingsley Insurance
Tim Bangert, Cascade Insurance Center
Sandy Kosharek, Special Districts Association of Oregon
Ann Leighty, Drive Insurance by Progressive
Al Machin, Siuslaw Finance Corp.
Dennis McGanty, Oregon Mutual Insurance
Pam Miller, Victoria Insurance
Cynthia Powers, Wilson-Heirgood Insurance
Here is the date of next year's PIA Oregon/Idaho and Trade Show. It'll be our 39th annual gathering. Those who attended this year will undoubtedly be there. If you missed this year's convention, don't miss next year's.
As a new company coming in to the PIA, this was the most incredible experience that I have every had. Thank you! - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the convention.
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