With his term as NAPSLO president drawing to a close, MattNichols reflected on the association's accomplishments of the lastyear. Nichols pointed to a number of ways in which the associationhas grown and expanded its offerings to members during histerm.

“Our key initiatives as an association continue to benetworking, education and career development and legislativeadvocacy,” says Nichols. “And, I think we've delivered enhancementsfor members in all three of those arenas.”

Nichols pointed to the Annual Convention as evidence ofthe value of NAPSLO's networking events. Attendance at the 2013Annual Convention is record-setting, with more than 3,700registrants. He believes NAPSLO's Annual Convention andMid-Year Leadership Forum are recognized as the premier events forsurplus lines professionals and consistently draw large attendancebecause they offer unparalleled venues for connecting andconducting business.

Education/career development is another key NAPSLOoffering, and Nichols notes that the program has flourished underthe direction of the NAPSLO education committee and Randall Jones,director of education.

“We expanded our education offerings with the addition of thenew Professional Selling Skills course this year,” Nichols says.“The course received favorable reviews from its first class, and wewill present it several times during 2014 to accommodate studentdemand for the content. I think our success there really points tothe progressive nature of the curriculum and the fact that E&Sprofessionals leave with tangible skills and benefits they canapply at home and at all stages of their career.”

Nichols views NAPSLO's legislative advocacy as perhaps the mostvaluable benefit for members because of the important regulationand taxation issues that have been on the table in recent years.“The NRRA created the national framework for a uniform approach toregulation and taxation,” he says. “The association has worked veryclosely this year with many of our fellow insurance tradeassociations on the need for uniform implementation of the NRRA'sinsurer eligibility standards. That work is paying off for all ofus with improved efficiencies for our businesses.”

Members of NAPSLO's Executive Committee and LegislativeCommittee also participated in a successful Legislative Day eventin Washington D.C. in April. Nichols says the trip was beneficialfor the Association and he believes that NAPSLO's continuedpresence in Washington D.C. is important for all members as NAPSLObuilds relationships there and advocates on their behalf on avariety of federal issues.

Finally, Nichols added that during the last year NAPSLO has putinto motion a renewed emphasis on communicating the value of thewholesale distribution system to retail agents: “We're working tomake sure that NAPSLO members are positioned as innovators who canbe counted upon to bring value to an insurance transaction. We willshare more in San Diego about the Association's plans toproactively deliver that value message and to elevate the level ofprofessionalism in how the Association is portrayed as well.”

“Integrity and professionalism truly form the foundation of thisAssociation,” Nichols adds. “I'm proud to have been a part of this,and I think we're well positioned for the coming year.”