Attendance this year was just shy of the record for the all-time highest attendance
The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents held its annual agents meeting and trade show “The Big Event” last week over four days at the Copley Marriott in Boston. This year’s show, featuring a “Super Heroes” theme, saw near record attendance with 2,203 attendees at the four day event. The show, which is the largest state association trade show in the nation, featured the MAIA annual meeting, a state association luncheon with Commissioner of Insurance Dan Judson, a two-day trade show, a cocktail hour hosted by Boston Software, as well as four days of Continuing Education classes and seminars.
In addition to the 2,203 attendees to this year’s Big Event, the MAIA says that 75 people watched 11 hours of MAIA teacher Irene’s Streams on Thursday and Friday. As for the trade show, 133 vendors exhibited over the two day trade show and more than 60 plus industry partners participated.
The Investiture of the 2016 MAIA Board of Directors
During the MAIA’s annual meeting also held during the Big Event, the MAIA announced its Board of Directors for the coming year. They are as follows:
Chairman-Elect Glen E. Davis, CIC, LIA
Vice Chairman Ely Kaplansky, CIC, CPIA, LIA
Secretary-Treasurer John F. Koegel
State National Director Raymond D. Gallant
By terms of the bylaws, G.L. Gaudette, III, CPCU, will become Chairman and Raymond Sirois, AAI, will become Immediate Past Chairman.
Directors & Continuing Directors
John R. Sweeney, CISR, CIC
Beth Sylvia Caldwell, CIC
Faith Canario
Joan DeCoste, CPCU, ARM, LIA
George F. Doherty, CIC, AAI, MBA, CPCU
Lisa M. Hirbour, CPCU, CIC
Benjamin Cavallo, CIC, AAI, CISR
Daniel T. Morse CIC
Thom DePaulo, CIC
Dennis F. Murphy, III, CFP, CPCU, ARM, CLU
John E. Dowd, Jr. AAI, LIA
Michael Pangione
Carl R. Goveia, CIC
Philip Richard
James J. Pietro, CIC
Steven Roy, CIC
Julie Ryan
The MAIA’s Young Agents Committee Is Presented With the MAIA’s Highest Honor
During the Association’s annual meeting, the MAIA’s Young Agents Committee was also recognized with the Association’s highest 
award, The Henry F. Barry, Jr. Memorial Pacesetter Award. The Pacesetter of the year Award is presented annually to an MAIA agent or local association who is “setting the pace” and taking the lead for all agents to follow.
Designed to recognize an independent agent for outstanding leadership and service to the agency community and the public, the Pacesetter Award is the highest honor that MAIA bestows. It is awarded to an agent who has contributed his or her talent, time and energy for the betterment of the agency system.
Current MAIA Chairman Ray Sirois of Martini Insurance Agency in Woburn presented the Pacesetter Award to Steve Monaco, the current YAC Chair, of Granite Insurance in Braintree on behalf of the Committee. According to the MAIA, Chairman Sirois decided to break with tradition this year to present the award to the Young Agents Committee for the
“…[E]nthusiasm, dedication and commitment of the committee in enhancing the involvement of hundreds of young agents”. He expressed gratitude for the “committee’s outstanding efforts in expanding opportunities of young agents to be more involved in MAIA and IIABA activities”. He also recognized the committee’s national standing and acknowledged the three awards earned from IIABA’s national young agents that have recognized the committee’s efforts in growth, communication and staff leadership.
Candids from the Event
As a final wrap-up of this year’s event, the MAIA shared some candids they took over the four days. Here are a few of the highlights from some of the various events include the trade show, the Boston Software cocktail party, the Gourmet Luncheon hosted by Arbella and the MAIA classes and annual meeting.
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