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Highlights of the
PIA Washington/Alaska Conference and Trade Show
June 4-7, Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Great Conference! I look forward to it every year! - Don Bilyeu.
Bringing it all together was the theme of this year's Professional Insurance Agents of Washington/Alaska Annual Conference and Trade Show. Sports was tied into that theme and a record 280 agents, company representatives and exhibitors found the PIA hitting another home run with this year's conference.
Outstanding! Worth every dollar! - Scott Campbell
When it comes to mixing business with pleasure attending a PIA conference is a slam-dunk. The exhibitions scored high, education won the game and no fans in the seats have more fun than independent insurance agents and the company reps and exhibitors who provide them products.
The conference began with the annual golf tourney and kickoff party on the 4th. Sixty golfers played a round on Coeur d'Alene's legendary golf course with its equally legendary floating 14th green. All who played had a great time.
PIA kickoff parties are a ball and at this year's sports-themed party, the balls flew. Staff handed out miniature football, soccer and basketballs as party-goers filed into the venue. Few of those attending could resist tossing them at friends and acquaintances. After a great dinner and key opening remarks, those remaining were entertained with lots of laughs from the improvisational comedy group, ComedySports.
Great Show - I look forward to doing more with the PIA. - Amy Perkins
Sunday focused on the record number of exhibits, non-standard auto and keynote speaker and former National Football League player, Curt Marsh. Marsh - who lost part of his leg due to an injury - gave an inspiring talk on how attitude shapes who we are and what we become.
The exhibitors scored extra points for meeting with attendees four times on Sunday. An enthusiastic crowd welcomed our new exhibitors:
American Modern Insurance Group
CompManagement, Inc.
Fire Mark Society
MEPCO Insurance Premium Financing
NW Preferred Federal Credit Union
The Insurance Store
UPAC Premium Finance, Inc.
Victoria Insurance
Washington/Oregon Fire/EMS Pak
Those supporting PIA year in and year out were also got a standing ovation:
AIG Agency Auto
AIG Northwestern Risk
Alpine Risk Management Corporation LLC
AMS Services
Applied Systems, Inc.
Cochrane & Company
Crump Insurance Services NW, Inc.
DocSTAR Document Management
Gilligan, Ryan, Jorgenson & Co., P.S.
Metlife Auto & Home
Multico Rating Systems
Mutual Insurance Services
Networked Insurance Agents
Peterson Rothert Insurance Services
PIA Pacific NW Service Corp.
Safeco National Programs
Sagamore Insurance Company
Sentry/Dairyland Insurance
Siuslaw Finance
The Hartford
Unitrin Specialty
Utica National Insurance Group
Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin
Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau
Western Maritime
Western States Insurance
Thanks for providing a great venue to network and get updated on the latest in the industry. - Terry Markey
Commissions and commissioners run sports leagues. The PIA has a board. At the annual business meeting, you elected a new board of directors:
President - Dick Fournier, Fournier Insurance Group
Pres. Elect - Heidi Duncan-Yonker, Duncan Insurance Brokers
Vice Pres - Rich Biggs, Biggs Insurance Agency
Treasurer - Mark Balcos, Balcos Insurance
Secretary - David Babbitt, Babbitt Insurance Group
Past President - Lonnie Butcher, Associated Agency Group
State National Director - Scott Campbell, Insurance Services Group
Directors:
Linda Fox - Ashford McAloon, Roberts Insurance
Barbara Kaiser - Sunset Insurance Agency
Michael Fredrickson - Whitman Insurance Agency
Ray Peretti, Hub Insurance Agency, is still on the board of directors but will be leaving in October when he assumes the presidency of PIA National.
Great Conference over all. Enjoyed the mix of education, fellowship and facility was great! - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the conference
The PIA paid tribute to its most valuable players at a couple of events. At the CIC/CISR luncheon 14 CICs and 10 CISRs were honored for completing their courses and received their designations from National Alliance Vice President Jack Frick.
CSR of the Year was awarded to Melissa Kaufman of Spectrum Insurance in Vancouver.
Frick also presented a unique award that he called the Energizer Bunny award to hall of fame graduates from PIA's first CIC class in 1978. They went to Gary Thompson, Linda Fox, Dick Elliott and Terry Lynch. Bob Wallin also was part of that class but did not test for CIC at the same time as the others.
MVP's were also recognized at the annual banquet. The PIA Committee Person of the Year went to Scott Campbell for innovations on the communications committee. Janine Fixmer took home the 2005 Company Person of the Year award.
The AAMGA recipient was Dick Elliott of Elliott Insurance Services in Yakima.
Jack McCalmant of Big Bend Insurance got an ovation as the PIA Washington/Alaska 2005 Agent of the year.
The best quality CE ever! - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the conference
Many of the rules of the insurance game were the subject of the best education line-up in PIA Washington/Alaska history. Classes ranged from ethics and fraud to the latest information on the agent/broker disclosure controversy. And no PIA conference would be complete without checking the Washington legislature's score card. Our lobbyist Mel Sorensen said the insurance industry pitched a near perfect game this year.
Speaking of sports, the convention's grand prize was given out at the farewell brunch. Kay Nelson won the four box seat tickets to a Mariners/Yankees game and a night in a posh Seattle hotel. Barbara Sconzo won the free registration and two night stay at Campbell's for the 2006 Conference.
Again, everyone attending loved this year's conference and found it to be the best PIA Washington/Alaska conference ever. First-timers were impressed and will be back next year. So will those who only attend once in awhile.
I went to everything I could attend and found it very informative as always. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of the conference
A big thank you is in order for our sponsors. Without their support, there is no PIA Washington/Alaska conference:
Professional Sponsors - $3,000:
Drive Insurance from Progressive
PEMCO Insurance Company
Semi-Pro Sponsors - $2000:
Liberty Northwest Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company Oregon Mutual Insurance Company
Amateur Sponsor - $1,500
Allied/Member of Nationwide
GMAC Insurance
Western Maritime
NCAA Sponsor - $1,000
AIG Agency Auto
Cochrane & Co.
Continental Western Group
Grange Insurance Group
PIA Pacific Northwest Service Corporation
PIA Trust
Star Performers
Unigard
Utica National Insurance Group
Varsity Sponsor - $500
MetLife Auto & Home
Premium Financing Specialists
Sentry/Dairyland Insurance
Victoria Insurance
Unitrin Specialty
Junior Varsity - $250
Peterson-Rothert Insurance Services
The Hartford's Omni Auto Plan Company
In kind
Safeco National Programs
Viking Insurance
A thank you is also in order for the volunteer group of agents and company representatives who served on the conference committee and organized the 2005 conference:
Chair - Rich Biggs, Biggs Insurance
David Babbit, Babbitt Insurance Group
Denise Baker, C. Don Filer Agency
Dick Berry, Oregon Mutual Insurance
Paul Duffy, Pemco Insurance Co.
Janine Fixmer, Viking Insurance
Gary Gimmestad, Liberty Northwest
Ray Peretti, Hub Ins agency
Dave Waller, Waller Insurance
Here is the date of next year's PIA Washington/Alaska Conference and Trade Show. It'll be our 40th annual gathering. Those who attended this year will undoubtedly be there. If you missed this year's conference, don't miss next year's.
It's great to be part of an organization that is growing and always looking for ways to improve and deliver better conferences each year. - a quote from an anonymous evaluation of this year's PIA Washington/Alaska conference
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