AICP’s 24th Annual Conference
Orlando, Florida
September 25-28, 2011

Conference Highlights

Conference Overview

AICP held its 24th annual conference in Orlando, Florida, at the Peabody Hotel, home of the famous Peabody ducks. There were over 650 compliance professionals on hand, eager to get their “Regulatory and Compliance Ducks in a Row” and they were not disappointed! There were 31 states represented by over 50 regulators plus speakers from IIPRC, SERFF, NAIC, ISO, FL Surplus Lines Service Office, FinCen, AAIS, ACLI, AHIP and AIA.

The conference kicked off on Sunday afternoon with a number of “pre conference sessions, as well as the Q&A portion of our program, where compliance professionals present questions and get answers from their peers on a variety of compliance issues. Over the ensuing three days, there were a total of 74 sessions geared towards Life, Annuities, Health, Long Term Care, as well as Personal and Commercial lines of Property and Casualty insurance. Topics included rate and form filing, product development, back office compliance, licensing, market conduct and insurance issues related to social media. As always, there were a number of excellent sessions on personal and professional development, as well as sessions relating to federal issues. Sunday evening activities included an Exhibitors’ Showcase and Welcome Reception.

Monday morning’s keynote was presented by Roger Sevingy (Insurance Commissioner of NH), and was followed with our very popular “View from the Top” sessions on Monday morning. New Hampshire Commissioner Roger Sevigny, Mississippi Commissioner Mike Chaney, Maine Deputy Superintendent Timothy Schott and Virginia Deputy Commissioner Mary Bannister participated.

The Life and Health panel touched on a wide array of pertinent and current topics such as challenges for state regulators in an environment of reduced resources and staffing, PPACA, setting up the Exchanges, challenges in coordinating state health insurance law reforms with federal reforms and requirements, Annuity Suitability and the Interstate Compact. The P&C panel touched upon producer licensing, lessons from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, surplus lines reporting and taxation, allowing outside adjusters to work in the state after a disaster, hurricane deductibles and foreign language policies. For the third year in a row, we also had sessions called Compliance Connections (one for LAH and one for P&C) where folks can meet network with like-minded peers on a variety of topics and product line specialties. This was once again a great way for attendees to expand their professional and personal contacts. Attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to “meet your regulators” in small group roundtable settings. This is always a very popular part of our program.

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. Our conference attendees consistently rave about the quality and variety of our educational sessions.

Monday evening was set aside as the evening for Chapter members to meet and network and have some fun, and what a great variety of chapter events there were! Some attended the Wonder Works and Outta Control Dinner Theater, another chapter attended Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Theater and other chapters chose to sample some local cuisines and salsa dancing at venues such as Cuba Libre and Bongo’s Cuban Cafe, BB Kings Blues Club, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and the Copper Canyon Grill. By all accounts, every chapter event was a great success and chance to reconnect with fellow chapter members and meet new friends.

Tuesday morning’s keynote as presented by Lou Heckler, Certified Speaking Professional, whose insightful presentation covered five key steps that all high achievers take routinely in their line of work. Lou also conducted a breakout session on Tuesday entitled Leadership by CHOICE. Our lunch program featured the presentation of some very important volunteer awards (see below). After a full day of information packed 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 Program

Click here to view the 2011 Conference Program

Go to Conference Photo Album — Keynote Speakers

Go to Conference Photo Album — Chapter Networking Events

 

Welcome to Orlando!

The extracurricular/welcome table volunteers were on hand to meet and greet those arriving and provide lots of information about local attractions and lots of discounts for the fun Orlando activities.

This year, chapter members were able to find one another by a chapter specific badge lanyard, which was included in their registration packet. What a neat idea!

Go to Conference Photo Album — Welcome to Orlando

 

Twilight on the Terrace!

While the fickle FL weather prevented us from actually hosting our reception on the terrace, we still had a wonderful Sunday evening Welcome Reception indoors to unwind from our travel, reconnect with old friends and make new connections. We were entertained by the smooth jazz sounds of the Eddie Marshall trio and enjoyed some light fare.

Go to Conference Photo Album — Welcome Reception

 

Exhibitors and Sponsors

The Exhibitor hall was a very popular (and productive) place to be during breaks and before evening activities, with over 30 booths staffed by experts in all phases of compliance, with great information combined with refreshments. The exhibitors were eager to share the latest in products and services designed to streamline and enhance regulatory compliance processes. Once again we had a popular compliance puzzle for attendees to complete to be eligible for some really great prizes.

A big “THANK YOU” to our exhibitors and sponsors for their continued support of the AICP and specifically our 24nd Annual Conference:

Go to Conference Photo Album — Exhibitors

 

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.

The ACP designation went to Miranda Crescenzo, Russell Patterson, Andrea Coalson, Kathleen Young, Diane Karis, Alyssa Johnson, Joanne Thompson, Jana Cleveringa, Amy Wheeler, John Robert Wittenburg II, Jennifer Daigle and Kay Beyers.

The CCP designation went to Sandy Pohlman, Stephanie Wagner, Stephanie McBride, Carla E. Bailey, James Jean, Carol O’Bryan, David Berkompas, Leslie Cabral and John McGlynn.

The ACP and CCP designations went to Holly Blanchard, Jeffrey M. Moser, Danielle Renee Ankrom, Kimberly V. Garner, John Bradburn, Nancy Wing and Eileen Breen.

CE recognition went to the following people: Bill Douglas, Donna Peterson, Tim Morris, Shirley Grossman, Karen Crooks, Michael Hollar, Joe Bieniek, Cynthia Jones and Rebecca Nichols.

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 Boggy Creek — Silent Auction and Duck Trivia Contest.

Keeping with tradition, we once again held fund raising events to support a local charity. This year’s efforts raised funds for Camp Boggy Creek, a permanent, year-round facility that gives campers a chance to normalize their lives by being with children battling the same illness. “Everyone is just the same as me!” The camp also offers critical support to parents, guardians and siblings of these amazing campers. To encourage donations, we held our ever popular “Silent Auction”, featuring items generously donated, with all proceeds going directly to Camp Boggy Creek, as well as a “Duck Trivia Contest” where people voted on their favorite submitted “Duck Trivia” facts. There were an amazing 60 entries to choose from (ranging from serious to entertaining to simply “out there”) graciously submitted by a variety of folks. The winning entry which received the most votes was this: “It is illegal to walk across the Minnesota/Wisconsin border with a duck on your head”.

Click here to view all the fantastic duck trivia entries.

Perhaps the most special Silent Auction item was donated by the Peabody hotel: The chance to serve as Honorary Duckamaster and lead the famous Peabody ducks form their daily home at the lobby fountain to their overnight quarters, a daily event with much fanfare. Although the bidding was intense, this was ultimately won by “Drake T. Mallard”, which was in actuality a secret consortium of bidders who wanted the honor to go to outgoing president Nick Marrangoni and his young son.

There was also a donation bowl for those who simply wanted to donate without bidding in the silent auction or voting for a duck trivia item.

Thanks to the generous silent auction donations and all who voted for a duck trivia entry, won a silent auction bid or made a direct donation, we were able to raise $4000 for this very worthy organization. Thanks to all who played a part in making it happen!

Go to Conference Photo Album — Silent Auction, Duck Trivia and Check Presentation

Go to Conference Photo Album — The Duck Walk

 

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.

At Tuesday’s business lunch Nick Marrangoni thanked the 2011 Board of Directors and introduced our Incoming President, Karen Crooks. Karen then introduced the members of her 2011-2012 Board of Directors. We thank all who serve on our Board for the valuable service they provide 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

 

President’s Award and Lennon Award

Each year, the AICP honors two volunteers with the following awards for their “above and beyond” efforts in serving the AICP.

The Lennon Award is AICP’s most prestigious award. The Lennon award was named after one of our founding fathers who was not only instrumental in the initial development of our organization but 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.

The 2011 Lennon Award was awarded to Elaine Douglas. The inscription on her award was as follows: “Your spirit, dedication and outstanding service to the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals are the embodiment of the spirit and character of the person for whom this award is named. As National Secretary, Regional Director and Chapter Officer, as well as your being Chair of numerous national and chapter committees, you’ve served as a role model to our members. Your commitment, drive, mentorship and leadership have been instrumental to the success of the AICP. Thank you for MAKING A DIFFERENCE!”

 

Congratulations, Elaine, for an honor well deserved!

The President’s Award provides our President the ability to recognize an individual member or members who have demonstrated excellent service to the AICP during their term. The 2011 President’s Award was awarded to Doug Simino.

Here are a few excerpts from outgoing President Nick Marrangoni’s write up about Doug’s service to the organization:

“…. one of the few people I implicitly trust to get the job done…. consistently able to turn vision into a reality…..humbly making the AICP a better organization… has solved seemingly insurmountable problems in the most creative and simplest but yet most effective ways…. never saying no; always solving problems with an upbeat attitude”.

Congratulations, Doug, for an honor well deserved!

Go to Conference Photo Album — Lennon Award and President’s Award

Click here to see a list of other Lennon Award recipients

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

See you next year in San Antonio!!!!!

AICP