It's time once again for independent agencies that do anoutstanding job selling insurance and providing risk managementservices to prepare their entries for the National Underwriter“Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year” award.

For the sixth straight year, agencies that are role models fortheir peers–running successful sales organizations while serving asrisk managers for their commercial clients–will be given nationalexposure via NU's prestigious program.

The principals representing the winners and those receivinghonorable mentions are always class individuals, generous insharing the “secrets” of their success and grateful for theopportunity to talk about what makes them unique in a verycompetitive market.

Scott Addis, president of The Addis Group in King of Prussia,Pa., said winning NU's award in 2003 made his agency feel like the“Miss America of the independent agency system.” Haake Companies ofOverland Park, Kan., said being honored by NU in 2005 was like“winning the Heisman Trophy for insurance agencies.”

“It's wonderful to be recognized for the significant investmentswe've made to provide unique resources and services to ourclients,” said Paul Hering, managing principal and CEO of lastyear's winner, San Diego-based Barney & Barney.

“NU's award confirms for our current clients that they're with agreat agency, and it also gives us credibility with prospectiveclients who may not be familiar with our firm. It's like a handreaching out and opening doors for us,” he added.

“To be recognized by NU as among the very best in the businessmade us all realize that the long days–and many nights–we worked tonot only get bigger, but better, were well worth it. In fact, NU'srecognition energized us to do more,” said T. Gray McCaskill,president of 2004's winner, Senn Dunn of Greensboro, N.C.

Once again this fall, NU will fly principals from three agencyfinalists to New York City, where on Sept. 21 the winner will beannounced and given a trophy, with the remaining contenders awardedplaques for an Honorable Mention.

However, the actual awards are just the icing on the cake, asall three finalists receive priceless publicity by being profiledin our Sept. 24 cover story. As a bonus, they will also participatein an “NU Roundtable” following the award presentation, moderatedby yours truly, to discuss “The State of the Independent Agent,”with highlights published on Oct. 29.

Receiving this kind of national recognition and exposureimproves an agency's standing with carriers, wholesalers, clientsand prospects. People like to be associated with winners, and NUspotlights the very best the agency system has to offer.

Are you 2007's winner? Give it your best shot! Click on“Associated Images” at the end of this story for more details andan entry form.

Fill out the application, put together the supporting material(all of which is kept strictly confidential) and include an essayof 2,500 words or less on “How My Agency Remains CompetitiveSelling Insurance and Risk Management Services in a SofteningMarket.” Get the complete package to me no later than July 6,2006.

Even if you don't take home the grand prize, I guarantee thatjust by going through the entry process, you'll learn a lot aboutwhat makes your agency tick and how to better position yourselfagainst the competition.

I look forward to hearing from you! Good luck!