observations and comments about all things insurance (with some other fun topics thrown in to keep it fresh)

I have always been impressed by PIA of Ohio’s commitment to education, advocacy and overall support of the agency system. The AMPC makes the commitment real. Everything about the conference is designed to help insurance professionals succeed. The topics, presentations, networking, vendor exhibits. Everything. Here’s a sample of what I attended:

• Keynote by Archie Griffin (Yes, THAT Archie Griffin). He was very inspiring.
  

  marketplace hall with insurance-related vendors

• “Step Back from the Baggage Claim”- by Jason Barger, author of the book of the same title. Jason’s emphasis was on stepping back to regain focus and living in the present. I bought the book and read it over two evenings. Very powerful stuff.
• “How to Sell More Online Using Great People Skills”- actionable, realistic, and very doable strategies to move into the online world while still retaining the “human” side of the transaction.
• Marketplace exhibition- a wide variety of vendors tailored to the insurance industry.

But Friday is the day I was really stoked about- the appearance of  The Insurance Goddess as a panelist for a roundtable discussion entitled “Using Technology to Move Forward.” What an honor. I was one of three panelists, along with Matt Brown, an award-winning leader, nationally recognized insurance professional, author of The Insurance Xperience and several eBooks, and a popular speaker on personal marketing strategies (www.mattmbrown.com)  and Ted Janusz, business adviser on face-to-face social networking, electronic social networking and how to manage ourselves (www.januspresentations.com). Esteemed company indeed. After our intros, the moderator asked a few focused questions, then opened it up to the attendees for their questions.

panelists for roundtable discussion

PIA won’t have evaluation results compiled for a while, but the feedback I overheard was overwhelmingly positive. 

I appreciate conferences, but am always most appreciative of the information shared by someone who is “just like me.” It’s not pie in the sky, but real-life advice and tips from someone’s who’s “been there.” That’s gold folks…..

attendees at the roundtable discussion

It’s also hopeful. And I think that was the overwhelming theme of this year’s conference. There is hope in our industry. Yes, you may have to work harder than before, but with your hard work & creativity, you can move forward, be more memorable and beat the status quo.

A huge Thanks to PIA of Ohio for the opportunity and my friend Matt Brown for suggesting to PIA that I be on the panel. I had more fun than anyone will ever know and hope I inspired the participants to not be afraid, but to be joyous and revel in the changes ahead. And above all, be memorable.

having a little fun before the roundtable discussion