This year marked the last Big Event for outgoing President & CEO Frank Mancini and the first one for new President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis
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. The 2016 event, which will be the last one for the outgoing President & CEO Frank Mancini, chose a celebratory theme.
This year’s Big Event saw a total of 2,056 attendees, which was a bit lower than the 2015 numbers which saw 2,203 attendees during the four day event. The show, which is the largest state association trade show in the nation, featured the MAIA annual meeting, the Arbella Gourmet Luncheon, which this year honored Francis A. Mancini, Esq. along with a sold-out two-day trade show, as well as the ever popular cocktail hour hosted by Boston Software. In addition to these events, Continuing Education classes and seminars were also help throughout the four day event .
In addition to the 2,056 attendees to this year’s Big Event, the MAIA says that 55 people watched 11 hours of MAIA teacher Irene’s Streams on Thursday & Friday,while over 400 people downloaded the MAIA/Big Event Mobile App.
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 2017 MAIA Board of Directors
On Friday, October 28th, MAIA held its annual meeting during which it announced and inducted its Board of Directors for the coming year. The new officers and directors effective January 1, 2017 are as follows:
Chairman-Elect – Ely Kaplansky, CIC, CPIA, LIA
Vice Chairman – John F. Koegel
Secretary-Treasurer – Daniel T. Morse, CIC
State National Director – Raymond D. Gallant
According to the terms of the MAIA’s bylaws, Glen E. Davis, CIC, LIA, will become Chairman and G.L. Gaudette, III, CPCU, will become Immediate Past Chairman.
| Directors – Term expiring December 31, 2019 | Continuing Directors |
| Faith Canario | Benjamin Cavallo, CIC, AAI, CISR |
| Patrick Dempsey | Thom DePaulo, CIC |
| Trudy Lawler, CIC | George F. Doherty, CIC, AAI, MBA, CPCU |
| Maureen Ross-Connell | John E. Dowd, Jr. AAI, LIA |
| Thomas R. Polito, Jr. | Carl R. Goveia, CIC |
| Steven Roy, CIC | Lisa M. Hirbour, CPCU, CIC |
| Julie Ryan | Michael Pangione |
| James J. Pietro, CIC | |
| Philip Richard | |
| John R. Sweeney, CISR, CIC |
For the Committee: Raymond Sirois, AAI, Chairman
A Worcester agent is presented with the MAIA’s highest honor this year
During the annual meeting, John R. Curran, MBA, was also recognized with the MAIA’s highest award, The Henry F. Barry, Jr. Memorial Pacesetter Award. The Pacesetter of the year Award is presented annually to an MAIA member 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.
A widely respected member of the Massachusetts insurance industry for over 40 years, Mr. Curran is a principal of the Sullivan, Garrity & Diggins Insurance Agency in Worcester. As the agency manager for personal liens, commercial lines and claims departments, he oversees all aspects of the daily operations of the agency.
Mr. Curran first started his career with Travelers in their claims department. In 1969, he left the company side of insurance to join Sullivan, Garrity & Diggins Insurance as a sales producer. In 1983 he was named President of the Agency. A graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Curran obtained his Masters of Business Administration from Suffolk University. He also serves on number boards including Bay State Savings Bank, Becker College, the Worcester Club, and Holden Hospital.
Candids from the 2016 Big Event
As a final wrap-up of this year’s event, the MAIA has shared with Agency Checklists some of the candids it took over the four day event. 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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