Young Agents
P i t c h i n g
S u c c e s s &
C a t c h i n g
D r e a m s
AUGUST 22-24, 2024
ROYAL SONESTA, NEW ORLEANS, LA
Table of Contents
General Information
Registration Center
The IIABL & IIAM staff is ready, willing and able to assist you. Conference registration and program information is available at the Registration Center. If you have any questions, need information or assistance, contact our staff at the Registration Center.
Conference Registration, Badges & Tickets
Each and every person attending the conference must be registered. Conference attendees are issued badges which are to be worn in order to be admitted to all conference activities. Lost or damaged badges can be replaced at the Registration Center. Individual registrations for separate conference functions are not available.
Some conference functions require tickets for drinks. Tickets are included in your badge. Please make sure to bring your tickets to each function. Lost or damaged tickets can be replaced at the Registration Center.
Exhibitor Bingo (Agents Only)
Visit the Exhibitors during the reception on Friday evening and have them sign your BINGO card. Turn your BINGO card into our staff for your chance to win CASH PRIZES!
Continuing Education
Conference general sessions are approved for Continuing Education credit in Louisiana and Mississippi. Attendance is required for the complete program to qualify for CE credit. Please be sure to scan the QR code at the end of each session you attend and complete the electronic form to qualify for CE credit
Continuing Education certificates will be posted 2-4 weeks after the conference. CE credit will not be provided to attendees who do not attend the entire seminar and/or fail to complete the electronic CE form at the end of each individual CE session.
Please note which sessions are approved or pending CE approval in each state on the agendas listed on page 4 and 5 of this program.
Baseball Card Collector Game (All Attendees)
Get your Baseball Card Collection signed by each of our All-Stars that includes our amazing lineup of speakers and Young Agent leaders from Louisiana and Mississippi! Once you have everyone’s signature, turn in your Baseball Card Collection to one of our staff members at the Cocktail Reception on Saturday night for your chance to win our GRAND PRIZE!
Welcome!
Bienvenue à la Nouvelle Orléans!
On behalf of IIABL and IIAM’s Young Agents committees, we are absolutely jazzed to have you at our annual conference!
This year’s agenda is an grandslam homerun, packed full of informative sessions that will keep you engaged and entertained.
Young Agents and those Young at Heart will have the opportunity to improve their game by scrimmaging other players in the industry.
We want to extend a standing ovation of sincere thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors for their support of all our endeavors and events. Without them, events like this would not be possible.
So grab a po’ boy, settle in, and let the games begin!
Maggie Landry
LA Young Agent Chair 2024 – 2025
Young Agents Committee Leaders
Schedule of Events
August 23, 2024
9:00 am
10:00 am - 11:00 am
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
1:00
Registration Opens
Royal Sonesta Arcade
Approved for CE in Mississippi
Pending Approval in Louisiana
Pending Approval in Mississippi
Keynote Speaker: Grand Ballroom
Your Brand Sucks, Ernie Harker, Speaker, Author, Consultant
In a competitive industry where customers have many options, standing out is crucial for success. In this presentation, based on his book "Your Brand Sucks - How to Ignite a Brand that Doesn’t," Ernie Harker outlines a step-by-step process to create a successful brand that attracts high-paying clients. He also demonstrates how to leverage AI tools for creating on-brand marketing materials quickly and easily.
Lunch On Your Own
General Session: Foundations of Effective Leadership
William Harwood, Co-Founder of New Level Partners & Amanda Schroeder, Manager, Client Engagement & Marketing, New Level Partners
This presentation explores essential qualities for successful leadership, covering intrapersonal, operational, interpersonal, and strategic aspects Key qualities include influence, integrity, decisiveness, risk-taking, and resilience It highlights emotional intelligence (EQ) for managing emotions and relationships, emphasizing self-awareness, self-management, empathy, motivation, and social communication. Trust and empowerment are discussed through the 13 behaviors of trust, fostering reliability and collaboration. Time management and priority setting are addressed using Covey’s principles, with strategies for enhancing team productivity. This presentation equips leaders with foundational skills to navigate diverse leadership challenges effectively
Refreshment Break
2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
SOUTH BALLROOM (Closest to Foyer)
Difficult Conversations & Conflict Resolutions, William Harwood, Co-Founder of New Level Partners & Amanda Schroeder, Manager, Client Engagement & Marketing
Master the art of turning conflicts into productive discussions! We'll explore negotiation vs conflict, uncover dispute causes, and learn effective management. Identify root causes, navigate emotions, and apply a structured resolution process. With engaging examples and practical strategies, you'll be equipped to handle challenging conversations confidently Let's turn conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding!
Breakout Session 1: Breakout Session 2:
SOUTH BALLROOM (Closest to Foyer)
Communications & Relationship Management, William Harwood, Co-Founder of New Level
Partners & Amanda Schroeder, Manager, Client Engagement & Marketing
Unlock the secrets of effective communication and relationship-building. Learn to adapt communications styles, use persuasive techniques, manage stakeholders, and lead impactful meetings
Enhance your skills to connect, persuade, and lead with confidence.
NORTH BALLROOM
The Future of Marketing: Integrating Generative AI Into Your Strategy
Ernie Harker, Speaker, Author, Consultant
Generative AI is a hot topic in business for good reason! It can save you time and money, especially if you're overwhelmed with tasks Marketing expert Ernie Harker, who has been using generative AI for years, will show you how to use these tools to quickly and cost-effectively produce on-brand marketing materials.
NORTH BALLROOM
Trending Endorsements You Should Be Paying
Attention To, Ben Albright, IIABL CEO & President
Join this session to explore key auto and roof coverage endorsements, their risks, and how they affect your E&O exposure. Learn best practices to protect your clients and refine your skills in explaining Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies Perfect for young agents looking to stay informed and proactive!.
Schedule of Events
August 24, 2024
9:00 am
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Don’t forget to vote for the “Best Young Agent Actor” award which will be included in the CE form following the E&O Mock Trial!
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Big I Brunch Grand Ballroom
E&O Mock Trial: Bushwood Country Club v. Danny Noonan’s No Risk Insurance Agency Cast:
Narrator: Annette Ardler, SwissRe Corporate Solutions
Ty Webb (Owner of Bushwood Golf Course): Clint Hanson, Columbus Insurance Services
Danielle Noonan (Agent): Maggie Landry, Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency
Chris Steven Russell (CSR): Scott Douglas, FCCI Insurance Group
Spaudling Smails (Agency Intern): Kelsey Sims, Meeks Cockroft Agency
Baliff: Tamara Pharr, Mc-Wright Insurance Group
Judge Elihu Smails: Sydney Schwing, Schwing Insurance Agency
Court Reporter: Baylie Babin, IPFS
Attorney for Plaintiff: Jim Gibson, Gibson Law Partners
Attorney for Defendant: Courtnee Green, Gibson Law Partners
Al Czervik (Former Owner of Bushwood Golf Course): Nick Farley, Pappalardo Agency
James Westport (Standard of Care Expert): Michael Mobley, Moore & Jenkins Insurance Agency
This session is designed to show how mistakes made by an insurance agent are portrayed in a courtroom setting Ty Webb, a local businessman and longtime friend of Danny Noonan, is purchasing a golf course and country club, Bushwood Country Club Danny places coverage based on the prior policy. Four years after the purchase, a fire ensues and burns down the country club. Between the time of the purchase and the fire, Webb has subleased the golf cart, pro shop and snack bar vending to Al Czervik, and also added a banquet room. Webb has a total loss of the building, his contents and Al Czervik’s contents in the sum of $3,875,000. The insurance company pays him $500,000 for the building, and $250,000 for his contents leaving an uninsured loss of $3,125,000 Webb makes a claim against Noonan for this amount
Exhibitor Lineup
Speaker Roster
Ernie Harker brings a whirlwind of energy and innovation to every stage, captivating audiences with nearly 30 years of industry insight and leadership wisdom Known for igniting transformative thinking, Ernie shares practical strategies for branding, creativity, and personal growth that resonate deeply with professionals across sectors.
His dynamic approach not only educates but also inspires attendees to explore new horizons in their careers and businesses Ernie’s presentations are a powerful catalyst for change, leaving audiences equipped and motivated to tackle their challenges with renewed vigor and a fresh perspective Discover why Ernie is an audience favorite wherever he speaks!
Harwood
New Level Partners LLC’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bill Harwood combines 15+ years of instructional design and education with extensive prior insurance broker and carrier experience He has also worked with a wide range of insurance industry non-profit organizations
Bill’s experience includes all standard Commercial Lines (Property, CGL, Auto, Workers Compensation) plus Technology Risk, Large Lines Casualty and Alternate Risk.
“Communication, persuasion, influence and negotiation are foundations of success in the insurance industry New skills and tactics are essential, given the level of detail we all manage for accounts and clients, and the inherent conflicting positions of many insurance transactions”
Bill speaks at insurance industry events and writes on a broad range of learning and development, risk management and insurance and talent acquisition topics. He is also certified as a Continuing Education instructor.
Schroeder
Amanda Schroeder is the Manager of Client Engagement and Marketing and has worked for New Level Partners for the past 10 years She manages our Learning Management Systems and connects with our clients daily She works with clients to come up with on-boarding solutions for their employees and oversees all customer service and tech support. She leads our relationships with over 30 State Associations and manages our Shopify Retails Sites. Amanda also manages marketing for NLP and supports retail sites such as MyAgencyCampus.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island She lives in New Jersey and is married with two children
Benjamin Albright is President & CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana (IIABL).
Ben represents independent agents in legislative and regulatory affairs, insurance industry relations, with the consumer public, and is responsible for implementation of the IIABL Strategic Plan and management of the association.
Ben has a well-rounded insurance background, having spent 8 years with Eagan Insurance, and 2 years with LWCC before joining IIABL He joined IIABL in November 2020, after a nationwide search, as their Vice President of Strategic Initiatives before being named the President & CEO in January of 2024 In that role, he lead various projects within the association to accomplish the organization’s strategic goals including agency technology innovation, agency market access programs, and developing training and benchmarks for successful agency management.
A graduate of Louisiana State University triple majoring in Economics, Political Science, Psychology and minoring in French, Ben now resides in Baton Rouge with his girlfriend Emily and their two fur babies, Maggie and Daisy
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