The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc.’s 2010 Annual Convention, March 1-2 highlighted the benefits of building relationships for agents, clients and policymakers. Some 500 insurance pros participated in continuing education, networking and marketing opportunities and met the new PIACT officers at the biggest industry gathering in the state. This year the event took place at a new and popular location: The MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn.

The new location for the event received rave reviews, and PIA has made reservations for next year’s Convention at the MGM Grand again. Mark your calendar for Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11. Start planning your long weekend now!

Inaugural celebration

PIACT President Olderman presents his inaugural address

Monday evening, hundreds of conventioneers enjoyed a surf and turf banquet for the opening dinner, at which re-elected Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals President Angie Brunetti, CIC, CISR, joined PIACT President Howard Olderman for their inaugural addresses and to introduce the 2010-11 PIACT and CTYIP boards of directors.

Olderman reminded the audience that the industry’s focus on relationships is a “rare and distinctive quality that fewer and fewer sectors of business or society possess … Put explicitly, we are a relationship business,” Olderman said. “This has not changed from the time my grandfather who founded our agency in 1929, and he told me of the times, during the Great Depression, when people couldn’t pay their premiums with money and instead brought livestock, barter and wine to his offices. And though our currency is less flexible, the fundamental relationship, built on trust and face-to-face contact, is why our clients still buy insurance from us, even today in similarly difficult times.”

	CTYIP President Angie Brunetti presents her inaugural address

Olderman urged his peers to remember their strength, and not forget the importance of personal attention that separates the independent agency system from other ways to buy insurance. “Our clients deserve ease of doing business,” he said, “but as much as anyone can buy insurance over the phone or online, at the end of the day they want and need to buy insurance and hear advice from another person with whom they are comfortable and who they trust. That’s what insurance is: Peace of mind, and knowing that someone will be there when you really need them. As an industry, we need to remember that.”

Olderman said the importance of relationships goes beyond those of producers and their clients: The insurance community could work together to combat an image problem and support each other. “This community is our greatest asset and the very thing that will ensure our future,” he said. “I am proud to be counted among the ranks of professional, independent insurance agents.”

He urged his colleagues to continue their participation in PIA and endeavors that would improve both their image and professionalism. “Make it your mission to forward our industry,” he said. “Encourage your staff and smart up-and-comers to get involved with PIA … the investment any individual makes [toward forwarding the industry] is rewarded many times over and most importantly, it builds our community.”