YOU HAVE TO BE THERE

The 2023 NIBA Convention will bring the industry together in one place, with a varied lineup of speakers and events that is sure to inspire professionals from a range of backgrounds, expertise areas and experiences. As the first face-to-face Convention after three years, it’s a unique opportunity for young professionals (YPs) to gain invaluable insights about the future of the broking profession and build strong relationships that may help them in their careers. Insurance Adviser caught up with the YP Chairs and Representatives from across the NIBA Committees to get their thoughts on why the Convention should be a ‘must-attend’ event for YPs.

The upcoming NIBA Convention has something for everyone. From a varied and inspiring lineup of speakers that will get you thinking differently about the profession, to networking with peers face-to-face and celebrating the standout talents that are leading the way forward after a gap of three years. As a young professional (YP) trying to find your feet and confidence in this industry, the Convention presents a unique opportunity to walk away with insights and form professional relationships that can last a lifetime.

YP Chairs and Representatives from NIBA Committees – Craig Anderson, Austbrokers ABS, Jodie Krafft, WTW, Joseph Cuzzocrea, Maxton Insurance Brokers, Shweta Nimkar, Marsh, Jasmin Gabrielli, Honan, and Nikita Willis, BMS Risk Solutions Pty Ltd, share their thoughts about what makes the Convention unmissable for YPs.

Challenging conventional wisdom

With the theme of this year’s Convention being ‘Reimagine: Think Differently’, it gives YPs the opportunity to think out of the box and implement new ways of thinking that can help lead the profession into the future.

“This year’s theme encourages YPs to embrace innovation, challenge conventional wisdom and explore new perspectives,” says Ms Willis.

“Instead of merely following established paths, YPs need to envision new possibilities, identify gaps in the market and seize opportunities for growth and success.”

At a time where all businesses are experiencing disruption, being an early adopter of change and innovation can help set you up for success.

“All industries are in a time of accelerated change with the advances in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) and ours in no different,” says Mr Anderson.

“YPs are really at the forefront of embracing this change and using it for their client’s benefit.”

Knowing what sets you apart from your competition and being able to leverage that point of difference is a necessary skill that YPs need to master in this disruptive climate.

“YPs need to think about their point of difference – what sets them apart from every other broker that’s out there,” says Mr Cuzzocrea.

“For example, I know my point of difference is having a family brokerage and giving my clients that personal touch. We treat our clients like family and connect with them on a personal level.

Look to specialise – have areas in your broking skillset that set you apart from others who are doing everything.”

An envious lineup of speakers

The NIBA Convention always has exciting speakers, all of whom are trailblazers in their respective fields, and this year is no different.

“One aspect that stands out at the NIBA Convention is the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker

Gus Balbontin, whose expertise aligns perfectly with the Convention’s theme,” says Ms Gabrielli.

“By sharing his practical experiences and strategies, Balbontin will offer YPs valuable tools and insights to reimagine their roles and contribute to the growth and transformation of the insurance and broking industry.”

However, Balbontin is not the only speaker that’s highly anticipated, with attendees being spoilt for choice with a diverse lineup. It’s hard to pick favourites.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing from Patrick Tiernan, Chief of Markets at Lloyd’s,” says Anderson.

“Lloyd’s has been at the forefront of innovation in our profession since its inception, so I can’t wait to see and learn from that.”

“For me, the biomedical engineer and inventor Dr Jordan Nguyen will be especially exciting,” says Ms Nimkar.

“His take on leveraging futuristic technology to create assistive devices as well as his perspective on social good will be relevant for insurance. Insurance is often seen as the solution in devastating circumstances and if we can use technology to assist people in need and help our communities above and beyond what they expect, we’ll not only be helping our industry but also looking at the greater good in society.”

A Convention like no other

While there are other conferences that take place at other times of the year, there’s nothing quite like the NIBA Convention. There are several factors that set it apart, especially when we consider YPs.

“Relationships are key to what we do, and the variety of people in attendance, from all over Australia makes this a standout feature of the Convention, compared to other conferences,” says Ms Krafft.

“From a YP’s standpoint, having this opportunity to attend alongside the best in the industry, inspires confidence that we too can achieve successful careers.”

“The Convention does a very good job of encouraging YPs to blossom in our industry,” says Mr Cuzzocrea.

“NIBA creates incentives and opportunities for YPs, such as partnering with Vero for the Young Broker of the Year award. The connections you make as a YP by going to the Convention, just through the Marketplace for example, they’re incredibly valuable. This is where you get to meet people you can learn from – people who can be your mentors and guide you.”

Apart from the opportunity to network and build lasting professional relationships, the relevance of actionable insights and information presented at the Convention holds immense value.

“The NIBA Convention provides a broker-centric perspective, ensuring that the content, discussions, and networking opportunities are directly relevant to the challenges, opportunities, trends, and regulatory updates within the broking profession,” says Ms Willis.

“YPs attending the NIBA Convention can expect to gain practical strategies and actionable takeaways that are directly applicable to our roles and career development.”

Forging a sense of community by coming together

More than anything else, the NIBA Convention is a unique opportunity to come together to cherish our wins and losses, learn from each other and celebrate the achievements of the past twelve months. Having come through a pandemic, it’s impossible to put a price tag on this sense of community that would resonate amongst everyone when the profession comes together face-to-face once more.

“Since COVID-19, I truly appreciate the amount I learn just by being present with and listening to my colleagues as they go about their day-to-day tasks and conversations,” says Ms Krafft.

“With the convention returning to ‘face-to-face’, it will allow for this on a large scale. When we come together as an industry, we get a real sense of the incredible people you work with, the positive impacts which the industry has, and how wonderful it is to be part of it.”

“The diversity in conversations and connections that are possible in person is really important for young brokers, especially those who only started their careers in the past three years and missed out on this opportunity till now,” says Ms Nimkar.

“I remember in my younger years, when I was very green in the industry, things could get quite overwhelming as a YP,” says Mr Cuzzocrea.

“This is particularly true in an environment where we have had COVID-19. We haven’t had a lot of face-to-face interactions in the past three years. Now is the time to reconnect with people on a personal level and talk to them about your growth or what you may need help with.”

“Often young professionals can be overlooked for cluster group conferences, and in an era dominated by virtual interactions, the significance of physical gatherings cannot be overstated,” says Ms Gabrielli.

Staying ahead of the curve

It can be quite a challenge to stay on top of the many changes that are taking place at a swift pace – whether it is the adoption of technology or regulatory changes.

However, it’s a challenge that YPs need to be prepared for as they look towards the future and their own careers.

“As a YP, the first and foremost goal should always be to learn and stay up-todate with what is going on in our industry, be it from a regulatory, market or technical standpoint,” says Mr Anderson.

“This alone helps you stand out from your peers and helps you educate and inform your clients.”

“In a rapidly evolving business landscape, being aware of emerging technologies, market dynamics and industry best practices is essential for career growth and success,” says Ms Gabrielli.

“The NIBA Convention plays a pivotal role in helping YPs achieve this goal, as well as obtaining 10 CPD points over the three days.”

“The nature of risk and resilience is changing more rapidly than ever, so staying up-to-date is important for everyone in our industry, not just YPs,” says Ms Nimkar.

“It keeps us front of mind for our clients and demonstrates that we are dynamic, credible and forward-looking.”

8-10 OCTOBER 2023

THE STAR, GOLD COAST

REGISTER NOW!

Be quick to secure your full NIBA Member Convention registration ticket at the early bird price of $1,140. That’s a $230 saving off the standard price.

Group tickets of eight or more delegates are available. Conditions apply.

EARLY BIRD PRICES APPLY UNTIL 24 JULY

EARN UP TO 10 CPD POINTS

Register at: www.2023nibaconvention.com.au/registration