Convention season for the annual gatherings of Florida'sinsurance associations runs from mid-May through mid-September.Judging from the expected numbers of attendees this year, not evena crashing and crushing economy can dull the lure of networkingwith colleagues, competitors, and vendors. Here is a preview ofwhere and when industry people will congregate in 2009.

Florida Association of Health Underwriters

Symposium and Expo

May 13-15, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort

Contact information: Executive Director Dave Sherrill,321-244-0427; www.fahu.org.

Applying a racing theme –”Kick It Into Overdrive” — FAHU exudesa high level of enthusiasm and confidence that its strong offeringof continuing education courses, including SHRM- approvedcontinuing education courses for human resource managers, will havebroad appeal.

Keynote speakers include Bryan Dodge and NAHU President-ElectRuss Childers.

This convention was re-created in the form of an EducationalSymposium in 2006, and is promoted as “the primeeducational/networking event available to health insuranceprofessionals in Florida.” Attendance has varied depending on dateand location, but holds strong, according to Sherrill. In 2009,attendance of 300-400 would match last year's. All registrationcosts for sponsors and attendees are the same as they were in2008.

“Our members say it is a great value,” Sherrill reported.“Critiques always praise the speakers and presenters.”

Specialty Agents of Florida

20th Annual Trade Fair

May 14-16, Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa, Lake BuenaVista

Contact information: President Curtis Tyre, 888-290-8436;[email protected];www.specialtyinsuranceagents.org.

The Specialty Agents' Trade Fair affords lots of chances tonetwork one-on-one with political officials and Floridacongressional leaders. An expert panel will add to members'understanding of legislative effects on policy that relate to thisindustry. New officers will be elected at the convention and takeoffice in June.

This year the prediction for numbers of attendees is the same aslast year, around 450.

The schedule includes the annual golf tournament. Spa facilitiesmight also tempt those looking for some relaxation when they're notnetworking to find new companies and carriers. Of appeal toattendees with families is the host hotel's proximity to themeparks and a planned Disney Character Brunch.

Planners said this meeting has grown steadily each year, andthat prices have been the same for the past few years.

Florida Insurance Council

2009 Summer Insurance Symposium

May 31-June 3, Destin Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort &Spa

Contact information: Dianne Rowe at [email protected];850-386-6668, ext. 225; www.flains.org.

FIC has named its 2009 gathering the “Summer InsuranceSymposium.” The agenda includes the installation of new officersand updates from member companies and invited experts. Forrelaxation, attendees can unwind at both a golf and drift-fishingtournament.

Attendance varies among members, as property insurancechallenges, insolvencies, mergers, and the like impact Florida'sinsurance world. FIC will be holding costs down, just as all of theother associations. In today's economy, even door prizes and giftbags get reviewed.

Meeting Planner Dianne Rowe says program content and thelocation of the annual event get the most appreciation frommembers. Since they are meeting at one of the state's most popularbeaches, critiques this year should be very positive.

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

105th Anniversary Convention and Education Symposium

June 18-20, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Golf Club,Orlando

Contact information: Meeting Planner Cindy Molnar;www.faia.com.

With “Failure Is Not An Option” as FAIA's convention theme thisyear, the gauntlet has been thrown to an expected 1,700registrants.

Many of the attendees at the state's largest agent gatheringbring their families to take advantage of the theme parks andnumerous attractions in the Orlando area. During the limited freetime at the convention, golf also is a major draw.

Veteran FAIA Meeting Planner Cindy Molnar reports, “We haveadded more value with breakout sessions for continuing educationcredits, and entertainment during our opening party that drawsattendees. Our tradeshow continues to grow and that increases dayregistrations.”

She said FAIA offers a “very reasonable registration fee that isaffordable to attendees.”

When asked about the importance of an association going to thishuge effort every year, Molnar said, “We feel it's a benefit foragents and partners to get together face-to-face during this time.It's also the time we elect our officers and directors and takecare of the business of the association.”

National Association of Insurance and FinancialAdvisors-Florida

77th Annual Career Advancement Conference & Expo

July 13-15, Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Contact information: CEO Sharon G. Heierman, CAE, orCommunications Director Bob Lotane, 850-422-1701;www.faifa.org.

Leaders from the national organization will be on hand at thisyear's NAIFA-Florida gathering in Sarasota. NAIFA President CliffWilson and NAIFA CEO John Healy, CAE, will participate. Florida CFOAlex Sink has also been invited.

Following a theme of “Exceptional Learning 2009,” attendees willbe offered continuing education classes in their specialties alongwith ongoing NAIFA long-term care training. A lot of what they willhear, according to association CEO Sharon Heierman, will help themstay strong in the difficult economy. Pertinent topics amongpresenters, such as “How to Fill Up Your Pipeline in a DownEconomy,” abound.

The popular President's Dinner brings an opportunity to dressup, and with the Ringling Museum, the beaches, lots of shopping andrestaurants, it is doubtful anyone will be bored.

As a precaution against unforeseen interruptions, eventcancellation insurance was purchased for the 2009 meeting, whereattendance is predicted to be 250-300 — a little higher than lastyear.

Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies

39th Annual Convention

July 13-19, Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Hollywood

Contact information: 305-477-1442; [email protected];www.laaia.com.

LAAIA is looking forward to a 25 percent increase in attendeesto this year's “Driving Success Home” baseball-themed convention,predicting some 1,500 participants. Newly elected officers will beintroduced and continuing education will be offered.

This is known as a “fun” convention, where members have a chanceto meet people they work with but may only see a few times a year,and to keep up with changes in the industry.

The association enjoys a fine reputation for its annual lavishGala evening event with music and dancing, along with a golftournament and other social and networking events during thegathering. Many companies in attendance host hospitalitysuites.

With the convention four months away as this is written,organizers report approximately 75 percent of 100 exhibitor boothshave been sold. They expect to sell the remainder within the nextmonth. The cost of the convention has remained relatively the samefor several years.

Florida Association of Self Insurance

40th Annual Educational Conference & Trade Show

July 19-22, Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Contact information: Executive Director Bill Kautter, CAE, [email protected], and Meeting Planner Jessie Laux [email protected]; www.fasi-fl.org.

FASI will celebrate its 40th birthday with this summer'sconference in Naples. Typical attendance is 120, with manyattendees bringing their families. Special events include a golfouting Sunday morning, a Welcome Reception Sunday night, Tuesdaynight's Casino/Dinner Party, and installation of new officers.

Meeting Planner Jessie Laux said that although the number ofattendees has decreased in the past two years, the content of theprogram has expanded to include all lines of self-insurance, notjust workers' compensation. Along with plenty of networking time,the gathering offers a venue for self-insureds and vendor partnersto discuss proposed changes and to continue educating one anotheron the self-insured market. Laux said her group has had nodifficulties securing speakers and sponsors.

“The costs to attend the meeting (both a registration fee andhotel) are a great deal, and FASI attendees appreciate the factthat prices have not increased in the past four years,” reportedLaux. To help even more, this year a day registration rate will beavailable, too.

Risk and Insurance Management Society Florida

34th Annual Educational Conference

July 27-Aug. 2, Ritz-Carlton Resort of Naples

Contact information: Mike Benishek, 941-722-3291;[email protected]; http://florida.rims.org.

Tagged as “the most affordable week-long risk managementconference in North America,” the Florida RIMS conferencecommittee, (seven unpaid volunteers) works hard to uphold thatclaim.

They have taken some creative steps to hold down costs, such asnot accepting payment by credit cards to save merchant fees, andincluding tax ID forms with registration materials to placateattendees' accounting departments (who often request them after thefact). Mike Benishek, longtime RIMS Tampa Bay Chapter officer andconvention coordinator, said: “If I include it 'up front' with theregistration form, that is 670 fewer letters I have to read andrespond to.” Plus, he avoids approximately $300 in mailing costs,if attendance matches last year's count as predicted.

RIMS members can attend for $125 for the entire week, whichincludes a number of meals and receptions. Hotel rooms are aseparate cost, but contracts have been negotiated with the facilitythrough 2014 that will allow room rates to increase a mere $5 eachyear.

The Florida RIMS Educational Conference is a family-orientedconference, with high numbers of spouses and children typically inattendance.

Instead of participating in an expo, vendors are encouraged tocontribute prizes for the “spectacular” Networking Raffle, held oneweekday afternoon.

Florida Surplus Lines Association

Annual Convention

July 30-Aug.1, Boca Raton Resort and Club

Contact information: Executive Director Roger Gobler,904-631-1322; [email protected];www.floridasurpluslinesassociation.com.

Hot topics at this year's FSLA convention are expected to be thecontinuing reverberations of Essex v. Zota, the widelycontroversial ruling issued by the Florida Supreme Court; theeffects, if any, of legislative activity during session; and anupdate on regulatory issues. FSLA Lobbyist Doug Mang, associationofficers, and staff from the Florida Surplus Lines Service Officetraditionally address attendees and provide an impressive array ofmarketplace insight.

Executive Director Roger Gobler is planning for a highattendance rate this year when the group convenes at a favoritesite, the Boca Raton Resort & Club. The resort offers tennis,water sports, swimming pools, and a spa. Included in theregistration are two receptions, a dinner banquet and hospitalitysuite; members can participate in golf and fishing tournaments.

“Our convention gives our agent/broker members and our variouscompany associate members an opportunity to get together anddiscuss issues that are beneficial to them individually and to theindustry as a whole,” Gobler said.

National Association of Insurance Women – Florida Council

Florida Council Meeting

Sept. 11-12, Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club

Contact information: [email protected].

This group's annual meeting rotates locations and bringstogether members who have worked together and known each other foryears.

Some treasured traditions include the Friday night welcome partyand the annual public-speaking competition. The winner goes on torepresent the state at region and national competitions.

The First Timers/Gold Timers event is a great way for newcomersto get some mentoring from the veterans, learn about conferencebenefits, make new contacts, and maybe win some prizes. Awards aregiven to those chosen Insurance Professional, Rookie, and ClaimsProfessional of the year.

Continuing education classes are offered, officers are elected,and interaction takes place with company representatives, premiumfinance companies, and other vendors.

According to Glenda Griffin, this year's conference chairperson,members report that the key incentives to attend each year are thenetworking opportunities, which are viewed as vital to careeradvancement, job placement, and opportunities for personalgrowth.