The Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference is one of the IIABA’s biggest events
In a joint press conference this month, The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (“IIABA” or Big “I”), the Massachusetts Association of Independent Agents (“MAIA”), Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Congressman Richard E. Neal announced that the City of Springfield will host the Big “I”‘s 2018 Fall Leadership Conference.
The event, slated for August 22nd – 26th, is one of the national alliance’s most important events and will be held in two different venues in the city: The Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place and the MassMutual Center. The Big “I” estimates that over 600 insurance professionals will travel to Springfield to attend its Fall Leadership Conference which includes the Young Agents Leadership Institute, Fall Board Meeting, Education Convocation and numerous association board and committee meetings.
“It’s great to have the ‘Big I’ Leadership Conference here in downtown Springfield,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno during the press conference adding, “These independent insurance agents and brokers played a pivotal role in helping homeowners and businesses rebuild bigger, better and stronger in the aftermath of our devastating tornado of June 1, 2011.”
Mayor Sarno finished off his remarks by acknowledging the part that local independent insurance Joseph Leahy had in bringing the conference to the city. “Special thanks and congratulations to hometown boy Joe Leahy being named the IIABA’s Chairman.”
Springfield insurance agent Joe Leahy will be sworn in as IIABA Chairman at the 2018 Conference
Massachusetts independent agent Joseph Leahy, who has been involved with the Big “I” for many years, will be sworn in as the IIABA Chairman at the 2018 Conference. From 2008 until 2013, Mr. Leahy served served as the Massachusetts director on the Big “I” national board.
In addition to his work for agents at the national level, Mr. Leahy also has served at the state association level, first as an elected executive committee member of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents in 2001 and then as its chairman in 2005. In 2013, he was elected to the Big “I”’s executive committee. With his ascendance to the top spot in the national alliance in 2018, he was a pivotal figure in convincing the Big “I” that Springfield was the right chose for the 2018 conference location.
A well-known figure in the Massachusetts insurance industry, Mr. Leahy is the co-founder of Leahy & Brown, an independent insurance agency he started with his wife Frances in 1989 in Springfield.
MAIA President and CEO Francis A. Mancini, Esq., who also attended the press conference earlier this month, emphasized the unique opportunity this event will offer the independent insurance agent community in Massachusetts.
“MAIA is very proud of Joe Leahy and the critical role that he has played, and continues to play, in the leadership of MAIA and IIABA over the last two decades. Whether it is on the state or national level, Joe brings to the discussion the viewpoint of the thousands of independent insurance agents who are the Main St. small businesses that contribute such a great deal to the economy. Having Joe installed as the IIABA Chairman in 2018 in Springfield will be a great event for the city, MAIA and the Massachusetts independent insurance agent community.”
