Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta held another successful convention and AGM in picturesque Banff, Alberta, May 15 to 18. Following the convention’s “connect” theme, energy accelerated as many events leapt between entertainment, presentation, meeting, or networking.
Keynote Richard Bertram (WestJet’s vice-president, communications and community relations) spoke at length on a “corporate culture of care” that treats customers as “guests,” cultivates personal relationships with its employees, and encourages fun projects and interactions.
An informative CEO panel featured eight insurance company broker partners and discussed current issues for brokers ranging from technology to the need for claims mitigation, especially given increasing catastrophic losses due to severe weather. The concurrent Fort McMurray wildfire underlined the personal devastation beyond economic property losses of such catastrophic events and the need for enhanced building codes and bylaws.
In a flash, entertainment became charity fundraising and networking. Celebrating IBAA’s 2016–2017 President Julia Marshall at the President’s Gala, performance painter Dan Dunn speed painted art works that were auction off to raise over $18,000 for the Red Cross Fort McMurray Fire Relief and IBAA’s charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House.
Networking at hospitality night, brokers and insurance company partners belted out tunes and danced to the dueling pianos while others talked in the adjoining back rooms. Brokers and vendors also truly interacted at the trade show, which had one of the highest numbers of booths and participants in recent memory.
In support of connected interests, IBAA’s AGM ratified five new policy positions specifically dealing with telematics. These policies focused on ensuring that the consumer owns the data, that the broker should have access to the data with consent of the consumer, that telematics participation should be voluntary, and that the data should be accessible to the consumer and portable.
IBAA CEO George Hodgson said, “Productive, informative, and fun—one of our best conferences yet!” President Julia Marshall remarked on the “very positive feedback” she has received from all who attended and noted that “the association went above and beyond to make things outstanding!”
For further information and details, contact George Hodgson at ghodgson@ibaa.ca.
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