The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is looking for a few good producers to test their sales skills in a competition during its September conference in New York.

The Alexandria, Va.-based association said it is looking for applicants to participate in the Ultimate Producer Challenge, an all-day competition, at the Hilton New York during IIABA's conference in New York City Sept. 10-12.

Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA's vice president of research and education, said the competition will be the association's own version of "The Apprentice," the reality show featuring Donald Trump who goes through a field of candidates, testing their business abilities and winnowing down the field to a single winner.

In IIABA's challenge, Ms. Flannagan explained, 20 candidates will be chosen to compete in mock sales situations to test their skills. The challenge will be lead by Roger Sitkins, president of Sitkins Group Inc. of Fort Myers, Fla., a consulting firm.

The aim of the competition, she said, is to have some fun exercising sales skills in competition and at the same time educate producers.

The competition will begin in the morning, she explained, and the elimination process begins in the afternoon. Unlike the reality show, the producers will be invited to remain and glean some sales tips along the way.

"We are working to make this a valuable experience for the people who participate, both fun and educational," Mr. Flannagan said.

The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and three 90-minute teleconference coaching sessions with Mr. Sitkins.

In conjunction with the conference, the IIABA will hold the 30th annual Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference, Sept. 9-11.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, IIABA said it will hold its president's panel to be lead by current IIABA President Thomas Grau during the Young Agent's breakfast.

Scheduled to join him are:

o Ray Thomas, chief executive officer of Zurich North America Small Business.

o Tom Van Berkel, president & CEO of The Main Street America Group.

o Marita Zuraitis, president of The Citizens and Hanover Insurance Companies.

o Bill Purmort, president and chairman of the board, Central Insurance Companies.

Applications for the Ultimate Producer Challenge, the Young Agents Conference and IIABA's meeting are available by visiting www.independentagent.com.

More information about the Producer Challenge is available by contacting Ms. Flannagan at [email protected].

Additional information about the Young Agents conference is available by contacting Leslie Mularski at (800) 221-7917.

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