For the fifth consecutive year, National Underwriter is sponsoring a prestigious award program to recognize independent agencies that do an outstanding job selling insurance and related services, while also helping commercial lines clients proactively manage their exposures.

NU invites those agency principals who run the most effective sales organizations while also serving as true risk managers for their commercial clients to file an entry, which are due by July 5.

Principals representing three agency finalists will win a trip to New York City, where NU's 2006 "Commercial Insurance Agency of the Year" will be announced and given a trophy at a special ceremony on Sept. 29, with the remaining two finalists awarded a plaque for an Honorable Mention.

All three finalists will be individually profiled in the Oct. 2 edition of NU. In addition, the finalists will participate in a special "NU Roundtable" following the award presentation, moderated by yours truly, to discuss "The Future of the Independent Agent." Highlights will appear in the Nov. 13 edition.

Winning agencies receive great prominence in the industry.

o Last year's winner, Steven Schill of Haake Companies, said: "NU's recognition of our company's achievements has been like winning the Heisman Trophy for insurance agencies. My phone has been ringing off the hook from other companies wanting information on how we did it, why, and whether it really works."

o "To be recognized by NU as among the very best in the business made us all realize that the long days--and many nights--we worked to not only get bigger, but better, were well worth it. In fact, NU's recognition energized us to do more, as we've added full-time claims and loss control departments," said T. Gray McCaskill, president of 2004's winner, Senn Dunn of Greensboro, N.C.

o "The award meant so much to each member of the firm. It fueled our passion for excellence and stimulated our desire to give back to the industry," said Scott Addis, president of The Addis Group in King of Prussia, Pa., adding that after his firm won in 2003, he felt like the "Miss America of the independent agency system."

Entries are due by July 5, 2006. Entry details appear below, and the entry form is attached at the end of this story as an "Associated Image." For a text copy, e-mail Sam Friedman at sfriedman@nuco.com.

How is the winner chosen? The winner and two honorable mentions will be chosen in a two-stage process. National Underwriter senior editors screen the initial entries and pick the top three candidates, with the winner chosen by a Blue Ribbon Panel of judges from the industry.

What will the winning agencies receive?

o A principal from all three agency finalists will receive free roundtrip airfare to New York City for the award ceremony and Roundtable, along with hotel accommodations for three nights (Sept. 28-30). A principal from each of the three finalists must be available to attend the ceremony and participate in the Roundtable discussion on Sept. 29.

o The finalists will each receive in-depth, individual profiles as part of the cover story in the Oct. 2 edition of NU.

o The winner will receive a trophy, special mention on NU's Oct. 2 cover, and the prime feature spot in the Oct. 2 cover story section. The other two finalists will receive plaques for an Honorable Mention, as well as prominent positions in the Oct. 2 cover story feature section.

o A special section highlighting the comments of the finalists from the Sept. 29 Roundtable discussion on "The Future of the Independent Agent" will be published in the Nov. 13 edition of NU.

Entry Requirements:

o An entrant must be a principal from a U.S. independent agency.

o An entrant must fill out all of the agency profile information in the attached application.

o Entries must include a copy of the agency's promotional brochure, a sample proposal for a new or renewal commercial account, as well as letters of reference from commercial clients.

(All financial information and proprietary material submitted will be kept strictly confidential. This material is being collected for judging purposes only.)

o Entries must also include an essay of 2,500 words or less on "How My Agency Sells Risk Management As Well As Insurance." (For further details about how to approach the essay, see the attached entry form.)

o Entries must be received by National Underwriter by July 5, 2006.

o Entries must be mailed to:

National Underwriter

33-41 Newark Street--Second Floor

Hoboken, N.J. 07030

Attention: Sam Friedman/Commercial Agent Award Program

To confirm receipt or for any questions, e-mail sfriedman@nuco.com.

Click on "Associated Images" for a pdf copy of the award entry form. For a word text copy of the form, e-mail sfriedman@nuco.com.

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