AICP’s 23rd Annual Conference
Dallas, Texas
October 3-6, 2010

Conference Highlights

Conference Overview

AICP held its 23rd annual conference in Dallas, TX — and over 610 attendees joined together on the “Trail to New Frontiers.”

Starting Sunday afternoon, there were over 65 sessions conducted throughout the four-day period geared to all levels of compliance professionals, from beginner to advanced, and covering numerous aspects of insurance compliance, from product development to state submissions to market conduct issues. Sunday evening activities included an Exhibitors’ Showcase and Welcome Reception.

Our Keynote speaker for our Monday breakfast was Andy Hickman, CSP. Andy’s presentation: “The Magic of the Future is YOU!”, included entertaining illusions and a message of personal empowerment and inspiration. Andy also conducted a workshop on Monday afternoon on memory boosting techniques.

We presented the ever popular “View from the Top” on Monday morning. A panel of former and current Insurance Department Commissioners and other regulatory leadership provided back-to-back sessions, one for P&C and one for L&H, to address pertinent issues in today’s insurance marketplace and regulatory environment. In conjunction with these sessions, we offered Compliance Connections, also geared toward product line specialties. These networking events were introduced last year and have proven to be very popular with attendees looking to expand their professional and personal contacts.

On Monday evening, chapters hosted special events for their members. What a great variety of events! From a murder mystery, to the Dealy Plaza Museum, to celebrations at fun local eateries — AICP chapter members and guests enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect and socialize in the “Big D.”

On Tuesday, Pioneer Jerry Bell presented an interesting and entertaining keynote address. Attendees then enjoyed the opportunity to “meet your regulators” and attend a variety of educational sessions. Tuesday evening was free time, and a chance to explore the area and various local attractions.

Wednesday continued with seminars, and our attendee count for Wednesday was very high given that some folks had scheduled return flights on that day.

Go to Conference Photo Album — General Pictures

 

 

Program Summary

600+ compliance professionals joined together to discuss, learn about and present a variety of topics in our ever-changing industry and regulatory environment.

Compliance professionals, trade association representatives and regulators were on hand to present relevant, hot topics in all lines of insurance compliance that were of interest to both industry and regulatory communities, to those seasoned compliance professionals and those recently introduced to insurance compliance, and to everyone in between.

Click here for 2010 Program

Go to Conference Photo Album — Program

 

Welcome to Dallas!

Attendees were greeted with a warm “Howdy!” when they reached the registration area of conference. The extracurricular/welcome table volunteers were on hand to meet and greet those arriving.

Chapter members grabbed their chapter bandanas — a colorful and distinctive pattern identified each chapter — and then enjoyed shopping at the ever popular logo shop, staffed by a great group of volunteers. The 25th anniversary timeline was on display in the registration area, and attendees enjoyed reviewing the milestones and significant events that shaped the organization. This very special 25th anniversary display, and commemorative booklet, was coordinated by Doug Simino.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Welcome Table, Logo Shop, Bandanas

 

The Texas Roundup!

Sunday evening was the time for Texas style barbecue food, and the country music stylings of the Bill Hearn Trio. It was a great time to mix and mingle, and renew old friendships, in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Sunday Evening Welcome Reception

 

Exhibitors and Sponsors

The Exhibitor Hall was a popular and lively place to be throughout the conference, with 22 exhibitors on hand to share the latest in products and services designed to streamline and enhance regulatory compliance processes. Visitors to the exhibitor hall enjoyed meeting exhibitors while completing compliance puzzle cards. Valuable product drawings were held throughout the conference, and, as always, attendees enjoyed bidding on a variety of items in the silent auction.

A big “THANK YOU” to our exhibitors and sponsors for their continued support of the AICP and specifically our 23nd Annual Conference.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Exhibitors

 

25th Anniversary and Pioneer Celebration

A highlight of this year’s conference was the AICP’s 25th anniversary celebration — and what a celebration it was! Attendees enjoyed the timeline of association milestones and playing the anniversary trivia game. We were pleased to welcome 11 “pioneers” — leaders who played important roles in establishing and developing the organization throughout the years. These pioneers took part in an enlightening and entertaining panel discussion, and founder Jerry Bell presented Tuesday’s keynote presentation: “A Founder’s Vision.”

Go to Conference Photo Album — Pioneers

 

Guest/Spouse Event — Texas State Fair

You asked that we continue and broaden our View from the Top, and we brought it back. Our View from the Top included current and former Insurance Commissioners and other regulatory leaders to discuss hot topics in our industry and the regulatory community. They had a P&C session, followed by an L&H session. Of course, with the current political climate in our county, healthcare reform was definitely one of the hot topics. They discussed other issues pertinent to the marketplace as well as addressed questions from out attendees.

Thank you for our regulatory leaders for making time to meet with the AICP at our Conference. We truly appreciate your support and time.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Texas State Fair

 

Education Designation Recognition

Providing learning opportunities is one of our Association’s keystones and is embedded within our Mission Statement. Recognition of those of our members who participate and guide their continuing education to become more informed and more equipped to face the challenges within our community is natural to us.

This year members who received their ACP and/or CCP designations, and those who received CE credits, were honored at Tuesday morning’s breakfast.

Recipients of both ACP and CCP designations: David Deal, Michele MacKinzie, Michael Hartman, Sharon Matthews, Joy O’Connell, and Denise Sharif.

Recipients of the CCP designation: Nick Marrangoni, Joe Bieniek, Shawna Greenway, Kevin Kloever, Matthew Broerman, Jackie Ward, John McGlynn, Glenn Cleveland Shinn IV, John Thomas Whitener, Ludmila Kandiba, and Christine Morrison.

Recipients of the ACP designation: Marsha Dunsmoor, Jennifer Bos, Emmanuel Adonis, Ronald Haughton, Megan Thomas, Leslie Cabral, Angel Wunrow, Ann-Marie Blute, Greg Popolizio, Leslie Winn, Michael Lishka, Stephanie McBride, Jacque McClenathan, Adam Smith, Kevin Borchert, Jennie Legates, and Sandra Baggio.

Recipients of Continuing Education (CE) credits: Bill Douglas – CE-7; Katie Gurnett – CE-4; Billie Jean Baldwin – CE-4; Shirley Grossman – CE-3; Doug Pennington – CE-3; Michael Hollar – CE-3; Donna Guminiak – CE-2; and Doris Jackson – CE-1.

Congratulations to each of our new designees and CE recipients.

Click here to see the ACP, CCP and CE requirements.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Professional Designations

 

AICP Supports Camp John Marc

This year’s conference also included a raffle to raise funds for Camp John Marc, a nonprofit organization that provides year round quality camping experiences for chronically ill and disabled children and their families. Thanks to the generous raffle prize donations, the enthusiasm of the ticket sellers, AICP’s matching donation of $1,500, and the generosity of conference attendees, we were able to raise $6,800 for this very worthy organization.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Raffle and Check Presentation

 

National Officers

Annual Conference is the time for us to recognize our National Officers, say “thank you” to those who are leaving our Board of Directors, and say “welcome” to those who are staying on and are being added to our Board of Directors. It is also a time for a passing of the gavel from our President to our Incoming President.

Ginny McHugh introduced our Incoming President, Nick Marrangoni, at Tuesday’s business lunch. Ginny then introduced the members of her 2010-2011 Board of Directors. We wish our Board well as they continue to pursue initiatives to enhance our association and strengthen our value offering within the insurance compliance industry.

Click here to see a list of the AICP Board of Directors

Go to Conference Photo Album — National Leadership

 

President’s Award

Steve LeHew of Zurich North America received the 2010 President’s Award.

The President’s Award was instituted a number of years ago to allow the AICP President to honor an individual who, in the President’s opinion, has been a noteworthy contributor to the success of the AICP during his/her presidency. This year’s recipient was Steve LeHew of Zurich North America. Steve has served in many volunteer leadership capacities on behalf of the AICP, including serving as AICP’s National President 2008-2009. Congratulations, Steve!

Click here to see a list of other President’s Award recipients

Go to Conference Photo Album — President’s Award

Lennon Award

Edward Lybrook of MAG Mutual Insurance Company was named the 2010 Robert Lennon Award recipient.

The Lennon Award was named after Robert Lennon, one of the association’s founding fathers, who was instrumental in our initial development as an organization and contributed years of service. He was so committed to our association that he even gave a session presentation over the phone — two days before he passed away. The winner of the Lennon Award is nominated by his/her peers, and the final selection is done by members of the Executive Committee.

This award was presented to Edward in recognition of his many years of leadership. It was inscribed as follows: In proud recognition of your drive, determination and outstanding service to the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals through your numerous positions as National President, Vice President, Past President, National Treasurer, National By-Laws Chair, Education Co-Chair, Finance Chair, Marketing Steering Chair, Nominating Chair, Public Relations Vice Chair, Gulf States Regional Director, Gulf States President and Past President of multiple terms. Your contributions are much appreciated and are in direct accord with the caring spirit for whom this award is named.

Congratulations, Edward — our 2010 Lennon Award recipient!