The inspiration continued with the Friday morning keynote address by Dr. Nido Qubein. His passion and simple logic of business success resonated with the audience. 

 

The quality of all the sessions was a reflection of the growth in Certified Educator's Guild members, as Gray Nester mentioned in his presentation on Saturday. This past year has seen a growth in all three pillars of NetVU’s mission:

• Education
• Advocacy
• Networking

Education through certification has stepped up a few notches with Sagitta SSA Certification now totaling 25 graduates; Guild member who are certified expert speakers now nearly 100 people; and the newest 360 Account Manager Certification program numbering 22 certifications.

 

Chapter growth has gone through the roof with 18 new Chapters and an increase of 63% in participation at the Chapter level meaning more than 4400 people.

The Chapter MVP's were recognized at conference. Their service and dedication to other NetVU members is impressive and invaluable. Our local Chapters are the organizations that keep the excitement and education going the other 11 months of the year. 

 

Advocacy continues to grow as the Industry Relations Committee continued their carrier visits meeting up with executives from 9 more companies this past year. In addition, the NetVU Playbook is soon to be adopted by AUGIE, placing our position on various industry issues as the basis for the whole industry’s activities.

 

As Mark Stolly took over the reins of leading NetVU’s board, he warned the group that he couldn’t do it alone and challenged everyone to help build a vision for the future as a group because “U R NetVU.” Mark encouraged the audience to find a colleague or friend that should be involved with the user group and make the case for participation.

 

In addition, Vertafore leadership spoke about the “revolutionary” changes taking place and how they are “not in the selling mode” but rather “in the listening mode.” There are a lot of great developments on the short and long term horizon. 

 

If that wasn’t enough, the tradeshow was the best one yet. With lots of great products demoed and terrific prizes given away, mobile was definitely on top of mind for many attendees and vendors. If you haven’t downloaded the NetVU Conference App, you should. Even after the conference, there is still a great deal of valuable information you can find there, especially as it’s not going away. It will evolve over the coming months to become the NetVU Mobile App supporting you throughout the year.

 

There was way too much going on during the conference to cover everything here. You’ll just have to plan on attending next year to see for yourself...March 14-17, 2013 in Grapevine, TX.

 

 

Mark Stolly Elected Chairman of the Board; Four New Directors Added    

 

In addition to Stolly, Stephen Moriyama, senior vice president, Hayward Tilton & Rolapp Insurance Associates Inc. was elected vice chairman and the following new directors were added to the board:

• Tod Ashby, senior vice president, IT, Van Gilder Insurance Corp. in Denver, CO
• James Clendenin, controller, Piller Group in Indianapolis, IN
• Barb Dale, P&C operations manager, SilverStone Group in Omaha, NE
• Keith Savino, partner & COO, Warwick Resource Group in Warwick, NY

 

Smart Use of Technology to Best Serve the Customer Recognized by NetVU Award Winners 

Auto-Owners and CNA Named NetVU Quantum Award Winners; Dean & Draper Wins Automation Excellence Award 

  

The Quantum Awards recognize carriers that have made a definitive commitment to NetVU member agencies to offer superior workflow productivity and profitability.

CNA was so recognized in the National category “for its commitment and intense focus on its agency force. Relying heavily on agent feedback for solution improvements and upgrades, CNA understands the importance of creating automation solutions, which increase productivity, and thus profitability.”

 

That close connection to their agency force is made possible through social media groups targeted specifically to independent agent automation discussions and a National Product and Automation Council. Most recently, CNA made a significant investment in improving their existing Real Time Quoting solution, increasing the productivity and profitability of Vertafore agents, and of their independent agencies across the U.S.

Auto-Owners, as a regional carrier, was recognized for its outstanding commercial download results. They have moved all agency-based software to the Internet allowing agencies the flexibility and efficiencies of not having to

maintain databases in their office, but also instant connectivity. Auto-Owners recently launched their package download, which makes the electronic download closer to looking exactly like their DEC page views.

 

Also, Auto-Owners seek out feedback from not only the producers but the CSRs, as well.

 

Dean & Draper Insurance Agency, based in Houston, TX, wins NetVU’s 2012 Automation Excellence Award for the category of “more than 25 users.” This award recognizes the NetVU insurance agency that best exemplifies excellence in agency automation implementation.

 

Dean & Draper set their technology strategy on the foundation of Vertafore products. Recently having converted two of their AfW offices to Sagitta, while implementing WorkSmart across all five of their locations, Dean & Draper put in motion the steps necessary to integrate the entire agency. They are utilizing ProducerPlus company-wide and have implemented CSR24 to allow customers to access their information round the clock. Access to it is on their newly updated website http://www.deandraper.com, or on their new mobile app for the iPhone/iPad/Android.

 

In addition, the agency’s benefits company, Benefit Solutions uses both BenefitPoint and WorkSmart to maximize productivity.

 

Plan on attending the NetVU Conference scheduled for March 14-17, 2013 in Grapevine, TX, and add your agency to the list of Automation Excellence nominees.

 

 

NetVU Leadership and Contribution to the Industry Recognized in the 2012 Award Winners 

The Louie E. Woodbury Jr. Leadership Award and Wade S. Dunbar Jr. Award are NetVU’s acknowledgement of individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled leadership and service to NetVU and/or the industry. The awards were presented during the afternoon general session.

 

James T. Armitage, owner of Arroyo Insurance Services Inc. in Arcadia, CA, is the 2012 recipient of the Louie E. Woodbury Jr. Leadership Award, Stephen Moriyama, announced. This award was created to honor long time leadership to NetVU. Armitage is past president of NetVU and a past member of the Industry Relations, Conference Host, and Sagitta Education Committees among others.

 

“For many years, Jim has served NetVU in numerous capacities on committees, many times as a conference speaker and as someone with whom you can count on for whatever you need. His leadership to this organization is without question an important component to why NetVU has succeeded over the years,” said Moriyama, senior vice president, Hayward Tilton & Rolapp Insurance Associates Inc. and member of the NetVU board of directors.

  

Cyndy Smith, vice president and director of technology, Haylor Freyer & Coon Inc., is the 2012 recipient of the Wade S. Dunbar Jr. Award, recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to insurance industry

  automation. Smith is also the 2011 recipient of the Louie E. Woodbury Leadership Award.

 

“Cyndy has been a tireless advocate of download and Real Time. For 15 years, she has served NetVU and the industry by her leadership, and activities in the advancement of technology and automation to improve agency workflow efficiencies, and profitability,” said Moriyama.

 

 

The Chairman’s Award is given at the discretion of the current chairman of the board in recognition for outstanding annual service to NetVU. This year, Gray Nester, chose to confer this honor on Angela Adams, president, Angela Adams Consulting Services Inc.

 

In presenting her with this award, Nester said, “the time and energy Angela gives to this organization is above and beyond. She personally conducted 20 Chapter meetings this past year, and her team did well more than that. As a result, our education program is so highly regarded and valued by our membership.” 

 

 

Five Try to Open the Vertafore Vault Containing $250,000 

 The Vertafore Vault Sweepstakes Contestants were randomly drawn during the final night of NetVU Conference at the Grand Finale Celebration. They each had an attempt to open the vault and redeem the $250,000 prize. The five contestants were not able to crack the Vault by guessing the code, but Vertafore made sure they walked away with some wonderful prizes.

 

The contestants and their prizes are:

• Betty Bush/Rust Ewing Insurance - X Box Kinnect 
• Debbie Roussel/Hub International - $500 American Express Gift Card
• Kim Shadley/Simpson & McCardy – iPad
• Angie James/Carnal-Roberts Agency - Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Cara Mohler/ The Holmes Organization - iPad

 

  

First-Time Conference Attendee Wins $10k Prize from Imperial PFS

Cindy Cudd, training and operations coordinator with Ramey & King Insurance in Denton, TX wins the Imperial PFS $10,000 NetVU Conference Grand Prize. 

 

The announcement came during the Grand Finale Celebration. “The generous support, from our now Platinum Partner Imperial PFS, of the $10,000 Grand Prize is a huge win for NetVU members,” said Lisa Harrington, vice president & COO, NetVU. Needless to say, it was a “huge win” for Cindy, too.

 

Imperial PFS is one of the leading premium financing companies, with a network of 28 regional branch offices.  

 

 

 

Ray Margeson Receives 2012 James M. Gibson Service Award

Ray C. Margeson, AAI, information systems director, Perry & Carroll Inc., was named the 2012 James M. Gibson Service Award recipient.

 

This award recognizes service and achievement which goes above and beyond the call of duty for NetVU activity over several years.

 

Margeson began his insurance career 25 years ago in the personal lines customer service area. “Over time he developed into the agency’s ‘computer guy,’” said Gray Nester, outgoing chairman of the board. “He came into his current role nearly 10 years ago. A staple at NetVU Conferences since 1997 and Ray has served on many committees both at the national level and at his local Chapter, the Western Central NY AMS Users’ Group.”

 

Margeson said, “I strongly encourage everyone to consider serving as a volunteer in NetVU.  The demands on your time are not onerous and the satisfaction you can derive is truly rewarding.  You can join a select group and be proud of your contributions and of the difference you can make.  This involvement has been an extremely rewarding experience.”

 

Nominations for award candidates come from Chapter leaders, committee members, boards of directors, past presidents, Vertafore and the NetVU staff.

 

 

Referral Harvesting Webinar

Thursday, May 10 - 1:30 p.m. Central - Register NOW!

Obtaining referrals is the single most powerful way of developing new business.  This webinar includes Referral Goal Setting, Referral Reluctance, Measurement and Tracking, Scripting? How to ask for and get referrals and Overcoming Objections? Your own!

 

   

Attend Florida:  Join Vertafore & NetVU during the FAIA Convention and see Why Real Time Makes Real Session – CE Approved

FAIA's 108th Anniversary Convention in Orlando will feature a CE session on Real Time and Download this year! The session takes place on Thursday, June 7 - 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. ET.

 

Real Time Makes Real Sense with Donna Barr-LaGoy, AIT, ACE, president, Premier Insurance Consultants Inc.

Are you spending too much time logging into multiple carrier sites to check on policy and claims statuses, to rate new business, or to remarket existing? Do you find you sometimes think you are using your agency management system as a Rolodex vs. a robust profit increasing machine? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, then this session is for you! Unlocking the "Real Time" potential makes "Real Sense" for any agency. This session has been approved by the DFS for two (2) hours of CE credits (intermediate) CE #79706, CE0220-General Lines (Property & Casualty). Sponsored by PURE.

 

Join Vertafore and NetVU for this session, and others at the FAIA Convention. Make sure to stop by the exhibit hall and say hi.

 

Make sure your carriers attend this session – we need them to help you write more business!

 

Click here for more information and to register. 

 

 

 

Creating a Successful Agency Web Site Webinar

This recorded webinar was hosted by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas as part of its "Moving Your Agency Online" series — presented by agency consultant Steve Anderson.  IIAT and Steve Anderson have provided ACT permission to help publicize this great session to the independent agency community.

 

Creating a Successful Agency Web Site webinar gives independent agencies a great roadmap and practical "how to" tips on creating successful agency web sites both for their current clients, and to attract new business.  The agency's web sites provide the anchor for an effective online presence and every agent will find this recording well worth his or her time.

   

Young Professionals Chapter Raises $11,800 for InVEST

The NetVU YPC “hooped it up” for InVEST at the 2012 NetVU Conference last week. Through a variety of events from a special early morning fitness class featuring a professional hula hooper sponsored by AppRiver, to a hula hoop demonstration on stage by the NetVU Executive Committee during the Grand Finale Celebration, the YPC drew attention to the great value InVEST brings to the industry.

 

The initial goal was $2,500, but the tipping point for the board involvement was reaching a goal of $10k, which was exceeded during the closing night's festivities in which "donations were made in order to see an attendee of their choice shake, rattle and roll while trying to keep the hula hoop circling their hips," explained Mark Stolly, newly elected NetVU chairman.

 

Founded in 1970 at Hollywood High School by the Independent Insurance Agents of Los Angeles, InVEST's mission is to improve insurance literacy in students and attract new talent to the industry. You can find more information about InVEST and how your Chapter can support it as well, by visiting http://invest.iiaba.net/default.aspx. Keep up-to-date with the YPC at https://www.facebook.com/NetVUYPC and https://twitter.com/#!/NetVU_YPC,