The theme for the 84^th annual meeting of the American Association of Managing General Agents–”Commitment + Value Added = Opportunity In A Changing World”–expresses a formula for success, according to the association's executive director.

That has been the formula for success for managing general agents “who have remained profitable, who remain dedicated and committed to their markets as well as their customers, and who are continuing to be the premier members of a wholesale distribution industry,” said Bernd G. Heinze, executive director of the King of Prussia, Pa.-based association.

This year's meeting will be held on May 22-26 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Calif. According to Mr. Heinze, the meeting theme was chosen by Curtis Anderson, who is AAMGA president and also president of national binding/programs for Risk Placement Services Inc. in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mr. Heinze said members will be doing two things at this year's meeting: conducting business and continuing to enhance their relationships.

While there will be plenty of activities for members and their guests to socialize and get reacquainted with one another, there will also be plenty of opportunities for business to be done.

And it would appear that many wholesalers and companies are anxious to do just that, if projections are any guide. The association said this year's attendance is well ahead of projections and ahead of where it was at the end of March in 2008 and 2009.

“Based on the results–and the 27 percent increase in registrations experienced during this month's annual AAMGA Automation Conference–it would not be unreasonable to expect increased attendance this year by the premier members of the wholesale insurance industry,” Mr. Anderson said in a statement.

Through mid-April, the association reported more that 800 meeting registrants.

The highlights of this year's meeting include Sunday's University Leadership Training Class by professors from Georgia State University. It is geared primarily to the Under Forty Organization and is the fourth part of a five-module leadership course with the university that is intended to take participants to the next level of leadership, said Mr. Heinze.

On Monday, there will be the opening breakfast with keynote speaker John Walsh. Mr. Heinze said that Mr. Walsh, the host of the program “America's Most Wanted,” is someone Mr. Anderson wanted on the program to underscore the importance of family and to support the cause of helping missing and exploited children.

Tuesday will feature the morning business meeting to discuss the financial health of the association, which Mr. Heinze described as continually strong, and also honor members who have achieved the distinction of Certified Managing General Agency and Certified Insurance Wholesaler, plus the annual Advertising, Marketing and Community Service awards.

The keynote speaker for the breakfast meeting will be Chris Berman, sportscaster for ESPN, who is expected to provide “insights on success with his trademark combination of enthusiasm, knowledge and wit,” according to AAMGA.

Attendees will be encouraged to attend the insurance trade and vendor show which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 24.

Responding to attendee demand, Mr. Heinze said this year's event will find an expanded Agents & Brokers Lounge that will be open for all three days of the event.

Mr. Heinze explained that the lounge has been found to be such a successful and convenient place for attendees to meet and discuss business that for the first time it will run during the annual meeting's programs.

“Our members will have a central location where they can go to transact their business, meet their markets and undertake the business that they have to do to enhance and foster their relationships,” observed Mr. Heinze.

Some companies have dedicated tables at the lounge, which takes up a full ballroom, while other companies will do business from suites in the hotel.

“We expect a tremendous amount of business transacted which has to be done in this marketplace,” he said. “The sustainability of this market is alive, well and prospering among the AAMGA members, and we think that is something we will continue to see during the course of the meeting.”

The four-day event will be capped off with the gala reception and dinner featuring “Twist and Shout,” which is being touted as “one of the best of the Beatles recreations.”

Special Reports /

84th AAMGA Meeting Focuses On Formula To Harvest Opportunities

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