President's Message

LOOKING AHEAD

I’d like to advise on two key initiatives that came out of a recent IA&B board meeting – and which will directly involve you, the member:

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The board chose a firm to help us with a long-term strategic plan. Leadership recognizes the rapidly changing landscape for independent insurance agents, particularly as a result of continued mergers and acquisitions. The goal is to collaboratively create a 5-7 year strategic plan to respond to the new business landscape, address the changing needs of members, and proactively plan for the desired future.

This is an example of IA&B remaining member-centered and relevant. What we offer today may not be pertinent in five years, and we want to plan accordingly.

This planning process will rely heavily on member interviews, member focus groups, and a full membership survey. Your candid feedback will help steer the direction of IA&B well into the future, so please keep an eye out for that.

FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS

After a long pause of in-person activities due to the pandemic, IA&B staff will get back out and about with our members. We will restart our member-ageny visits with IA&B staff members to say hello and thank you, and to gather information for our strategic planning process. We also are planning regional lunches and happy hours, some young agent group meetings, and even a golf outing or two. This will all be a lead-up to larger events returning, like our Futures Conference and Executive Management Conference.

The landscape has certainly changed as a result of the pandemic, with a focus on virtual. However, we miss seeing our members and gaining the valuable feedback we can only get in person. Look for IA&B staff in your area in the near future.

Best,

Jason F. Ernest, President & CEO