Scott Campbell, PIA Washington/Alaska board member, Insurance Services Group, Inc.: "I love the depth of experience of the member agents of the PIA. At many gatherings time is spent talking about solutions to common problems we all face. Even better, many of the conversations are between so-called rivals, people we compete with in the same city. Our members recognize the importance of contributing to the success of the independent agency system."

Jim Brown, Marketing Manager, Red Shied: "I've been member of PIA for a long time. The best aspect is the networking. PIA has put itself in front of the other agency groups. It asks our opinion and listens to us. I really feel like my input is important. I just love being a part of this organization."

Lynda Colucci, AIG AI Risk Specialist Insurance Services: "The PIA is an organization that brings its members together in person through conventions and other activities and via weekly in the e-newsletter, Industry & Association News, on the Main Street website and in so many other ways. Many times this industry is given a black eye from bad claims experiences, or high rates, people are always complaining about something involving insurance. PIA brings us together and helps us with our image and promotes the good side of what we do."

Rich Kingsley, former PIA Oregon/Idaho president, Cammack-Kingsley Insurance, Inc.: "It provides everything I need, markets that I don't have individually, services, staff, networking, everything. PIA is a full service organization—one stop shopping. And PIA lobbies on behalf of the member—and even non-member agents—on insurance issues critical to the independent agency system." 

Dennis Ragain, Healthy World Environmental, Inc, National Association for Moisture Management (NAMM): "I love the people of this association, the agents, company representatives, staff. The people involved in the PIA Western Alliance are incredible. There are so many reasons why. It's a combination of being willing to listen and see what you can do to help. It's the people at the front desk and that are so friendly and so helpful whenever I call. Few organizations have that type of knowledge and even fewer have so much compassion for the client."

Jessica Sewel, Personal Lines Manager, Erickson Baldwin Insurance on Industry & Association News.

"The publication is great. The fact that this is not strictly about Insurance is what caught my attention. Granted it has the important issues that are at hand with what is going on in the insurance world, but sometimes I think that we all get a little tired about hearing the same thing all the time. The articles that I was interested in:

• · Flood reform
• · Brains, IQ and the sexes
• · Economic stimulus
• · Candidates and the economy
• · How bad is the housing crunch
• · Work is killing you—really

"All of the articles were great. It gave a little education to what is going on in today's world and what may or may not happen. I did have to laugh at the Work is killing you and the editor' part of unemployment."