This weekend marks an annual rite for the independent insurance agents of Massachusetts: The Big Event. The event hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents is taking place at the Marriott Hotel at Copley Place from Thursday November 8 through Sunday November 11th. The MAIA says that over 1800 Massachusetts insurance professionals attend the event which is offers up both an educational event as well as a trade show exhibition. This year the Big Event will be offering over 75 different educational seminars which agents can take for educational credit.
Why should you go?
Knowledge is power. Nowhere else will you get a mix of educational and professional opportunities tailored to the Massachusetts insurance marketplace than at The Big Event. Take a class, have a drink with someone new, take a spin around the exhibit hall, help support your industry and the association that works all year long in helping to protect and promote the independent insurance agency system.
Educational Opportunities That Caught Our Eye
Being a family business like most independent agencies, we were glad to see that this year there is a session dedicated to the important topic of Agency Perpetuation. The conference session entitled “Perpetuation Planning” will take place Friday morning from 8:45 -10:45 am and will feature guest speaker Rick Davis, the current Chairman of the Board of the Provider Group.
Another seminar that looks interesting is The Legal Side of Human Resources in Insurance. Human Resources is always an important topic for any size agency. Patricia Hun Sinacole, the CEO and Founder of First Beacon Group LLC is the guest speaker for this seminar.
The Problem That Won’t Go Away: Why Agencies Hire Bad Salespeople and What To Do About It. The Title says it all, doesn’t it?
Click here to take a look at some of the other educational opportunities available this weekend and the continuing education credits you can obtain from attending them. Here’s a list of how many CEU credits you could obtain from each of the seminars.
Wining & Dining Opportunities at The Big Event
All work and no play is just no fun, especially when you are working on the weekend. The MAIA has made sure that you will never go hungry nor thirsty while attending this year’s Big Event. Here is what is on tap:
Thursday November 8th
5:00-6:00 pm – Young Agents Council Reception
Friday, November 9th
7:30-8:45 am – Utica’s Continental Breakfast in the Atrium
11:30 am -12:30 pm – The Bloody Mary Cocktail Reception
1:00 – 2:15 pm – Arbella’s Gourmet Lunch Reception with Guest Speaker Susan Wornick
4:30-6:00 om – Boston Software’s TGIF Reception
Saturday, November 10th
7:30-9:00 am – Utica’s Continental Breakfast in the Atrium
12:30 pm – Lunch on the Run from Arbella
4:30-6:00 pm – The Safety Zone – “Come Fly with Me” Reception
Sunday, November 11th
8:30-9:30 am – Breakfast
12:30 pm – Lunch to Go
Exploring the Exhibit Hall
Come and learn about all the businesses that cater to the independent agents of Massachusetts.
Booth #39 – Agency Checklists
You probably figured that we would put us first, didn’t you. Well, come by and visit us and learn more about Agency Checklists, the free news and information site for Massachusetts insurance professionals. We’ll be talking about our new Forums and will be giving away an iPad mini.
Booth #120 & 121 – Brownstone Insurance
Brownstone Insurance has been insuring Boston and surrounding towns since 1982 and has been an exhibitor at the Big Event for the last seven years. “This year, we’re pulling out all the stops,” explains Glenn Montgomery, Vice President. “The experience we have planned for people who visit the Brownstone booth this year easily goes beyond anything we’ve done in the past.”
Booth #42 – Boston Software
They won’t be holding their User Group this year, but are still sponsoring the TGIF Cocktail Reception on Friday, so its worth to stop by and see their stand.
Booth #97 – Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women
Stop by and see what the MAIW is up to and learn more about this great organization. Their next meeting is November 16th & 17th so this is the perfect opportunity to find out if this is something for you.
Hopefully, this quick rundown will inspire you to come to this year’s event and enjoy all the offerings that have been planned for you. Cheers.
