News | February 6, 2006

PIACT's 2006 Annual Convention Is On The Horizon

More than 500 insurance professionals are expected to take advantage of CE, networking, etc.

Hartford, CT - The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc.'s Annual Convention will be held March 13-14, 2006, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Conn. The two-day event will offer participants access to education programs and other opportunities, which will benefit their businesses and their clients.

"This is the largest gathering of insurance professionals in the state of Connecticut—last year more than 500 insurance professionals attended the event," said Joseph A. Bishop III, CPIA, president of PIACT. "Each year hundreds of people associated with the insurance industry gather in Mashantucket to earn CE credits, explore the latest insurance services and products and establish new business contacts."

There will be five opportunities for participants to earn continuing education credits. The education sessions scheduled for Monday, March 13, are Avoiding Errors and Omissions in the 21st Century—Tips, Tools and Trends, which is approved for CE credit, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; The 12-Hour Day in 8 hours: Effective Time Management from 2-5 p.m.; and Learning to Become "Identity-Theft" Smart from 2-5 p.m. The afternoon classes have been submitted for CE credits. A description of each class follows.

  • Avoiding Errors and Omissions in the 21st Century—Tips, Tools and Trends. Participants will learn how evolving technology and procedures expose their clients to new errors and omissions. Today, an agency must employ responsive, client-focused procedures that can accommodate an ever-increasing use of technology, while maintaining essential safeguards. Join Rita Hollada, CPCU, CIC, CPIA, as she reviews the challenges facing the modern agency including legislation, litigation and technology.

  • The 12-Hour Day in 8 hours: Effective Time Management. Hollada will help attendees gain an awareness of how they use their time and how to handle it effectively. She will offer an in-depth explanation of time management techniques that will let participants finally accomplish what they need to in a day and still make it home for dinner.

  • Learning to Become "Identity-Theft" Smart. Lawrence Harb will show participants how to protect their clients from the fastest growing crime in America—identity theft. Requiring personal information from clients makes insurance professionals responsible for protecting it. Participants will take part in a crucial discussion on minimizing the risk of identity theft, why personal information is so valuable, what it's like to be a victim and how to protect your agency's personal assets.

The education sessions continue Tuesday, March 14, with Learning to Risk Manage Your Client's Internet and Technology Exposures, which has been submitted for CE credit, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and Understanding Consumer Driven Health Plans, which is approved for CE credit, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. A description of each class follows.

  • Learning to Risk Manage Your Client's Internet and Technology Exposures. Harb will offer participants a chance to gain an understanding of these new insurance policies—with virtual loss as their claim trigger. They will learn how traditional insurance policies have adapted to cover new Internet and technology exposures. Harb also will examine and compare some actual policies, the underwriting process used, the clients in need of this coverage and ways to manage the exposures.

  • Understanding Consumer-Driven Health Plans. From concept to implementation, Robert Noonan will explore the essential elements of the consumer-driven health plan. The discussion will follow fundamental shifts in the employee health benefit model and the legal foundation on which it is based—the Health Savings Account model, benefits available through the tax code and the critical roles agents play when advising employers.

Back by popular demand, PIACT's Annual Convention will feature agency management user focus groups. AMS Services, Applied Systems and DORIS Insurance Systems will give demonstrations of their systems, Monday, March 13, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Attendees will see the latest advancements in the companies' systems.

The two-day event also will host an expansive trade show, networking opportunities, an awards luncheon and the opening night gala dinner—offering participants a chance to meet PIACT's new leadership and socialize with colleagues.

SOURCE: PIACT