It's officially spring. The swallows have returned to Capistrano, the independent insurance agents have lobbied Capitol Hill and here in Chicago, we're hoping that baseball's opening day doesn't bring snowfall.
Spring means new beginnings, and this month's issue focuses on several aspects of rebirth and opportunity for insurance agents. Our cover story takes a closer look at the alternative energy market--specifically low-carbon fuel and power sources--and what agents and brokers must know to get up to speed in this growing market.
New opportunities--and new technologies--bring their own unique sets of new risks, and one of the biggest threats to businesses today is cyber crime arising from sharing data over the Internet. Today's cyber criminals are less like prank-playing hackers and more like the Mafia in their sophistication and global reach. Wilson Elser attorney Lori Nugent writes about malware, rootkits and spyware, and what agents can do to protect their customers and their own businesses.
Spring isn't spring without golf, and this year's golf coverage feature includes interviews with several golf program specialists who share their thoughts on how agents can get creative with this market niche at a time when disposable income for club memberships and greens fees are taking a major hit from the recession.
And speaking of new, AA&B is partnering with National Underwriter on our first-ever combined Agency of the Year competition. NU has presented this award for years, but this is the first time AA&B readers have been specifically invited to compete.
The 2010 NU/AA&B Commercial Agency Awards for Excellence will name an overall Commercial Insurance Agency of the Year, as well as hand out additional awards for excellence in the categories of sales and marketing, customer service, technology and recruitment/training. NU Editor Sam Friedman and I, working with an expert panel of judges from the independent agency system, will select the winners.
Winning agencies will share the secrets of their success in articles appearing in both National Underwriter and American Agent & Broker. The winners also will take part in a special NU/AA&B roundtable discussion on "The Future of the Independent Agent," with highlights published in the Nov. 2 edition of NU and the December edition of AA&B.
We're accepting nominations from insurers, wholesalers or other interested parties, or principals from U.S. independent agencies can nominate their own agencies. Nominations must be received by May 15, and self-entries by July 1. Click here for more details.
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