NU Invites Agency Of The Year Entries

For the seventh-straight year, agencies that are role models for their peers--running successful sales organizations while serving as risk management consultants--are invited to enter the National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year" award program.

Agency principals are urged to enter their own firms, and nominations are accepted from insurance companies and wholesalers as well.

NU will fly principals from three agency finalists for a weekend in New York City, where on Sept. 26 the winner will be announced and given a trophy, with the remaining two contenders awarded plaques for an Honorable Mention. All three agencies are profiled in the Sept. 29 edition.

As a bonus, the finalists will also participate in an "NU Roundtable" following the award presentation to discuss "The State of the Independent Agent," with highlights published in the Nov. 3 edition.

David Becker, president of last year's champion--Cottingham & Butler of Dubuque, Iowa--said winning the NU award "validated our approach to going beyond selling just policies to delivering a broad array of risk management services that can help our clients succeed. "

He added that "as we continue to grow our business across the country, the NU award provides the stamp of credibility with prospects, opening up new opportunities that might otherwise have been unavailable. The award has served to reinforce our commitment and dedication to building a truly distinctive agency."

For more details and an entry form, click on the "Agency of the Year" logo at the bottom of NU's home page at www.propertyandcasualtyinsurancenews.com. Fill out the application, put together the supporting material and include an essay on "What Makes My Agency An Outstanding Sales and Service Organization?" Submit the complete package no later than June 6.

Nominations are welcome by May 1 from insurers, wholesalers or other interested parties. To nominate a candidate, e-mail sfriedman@nuco.com (subject line: Agency Award Nomination), and describe in 1,000 words or less why the agency is worthy of consideration. Include details on who to contact at the nominated agency.