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MAIA Annual Convention
February 18-20, 2019
Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids

Networking

If you’re looking to network with Michigan independent agents, there is no better event than MAIA’s annual Convention. Each year, we host the largest gathering of our industry in the state.

Professional Development

A talented group of instructors present the latest hot industry topics, many of which qualify for continuing education credit.

Trade Show

Our trade show attracts more than 100 exhibitors offering the latest products, services and ideas essential to running a 21^st century agency.

Breakdown of Events by Day

Monday
February 18

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
THE (DE) EVOLUTION OF ETHICS
INSTRUCTOR: Chris Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS
Ethics are a society’s view of what is acceptable and unacceptable, but ethics aren’t constant - they evolve or devolve over time. And at any given time, one group or individual may hold themselves to higher or lower ethical standards than others. In this session we’ll discuss: the real meaning of ethics; “standards” used to define ethical behavior; why “standards” are necessary; how moral standards interact with ethical standards; and how ethical standards are applied to our business. Filed for CE.

8:00 p.m.
NETWORKING EVENT (hosted by MAIA Young Agents)
Your warm-up to convention - all attendees welcome!

Rendezvous Lounge Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids

Rendezvous Lounge Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids

Young Agents start convention off right with a Pre-Convention Networking Event at the Rendezvous Lounge in the Amway Grand Lobby.

Tuesday
February 19

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
WHEN WORDS COLLIDE: RESOLVING INSURANCE COVERAGE & CLAIMS DISPUTES
INSTRUCTOR: Bill Wilson, CPCU, ARM, AIM
Ever had a disagreement with an adjuster about whether a claim is covered or not? Or posed a coverage question to an underwriter and failed to reach a consensus about coverage? This session, using dozens of real-life examples, presents a structured approach to policy interpretation and claims negotiation to resolve real world coverage disputes without litigation. Filed for CE.

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE - MANAGING DATA & ITS INTEGRITY
INSTRUCTOR: Brian Bartosh, CIC, LUTCF
A look at how data is collected in the management system and how to maintain integrity. The components of an electronic file will also be covered, including the retention of electronic records and best practices for archiving and/or purging of data. Filed for CE.

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
SALES
INSTRUCTOR: Joan Sansing, CIC, ARM, AAI
“I’ve learned everything there is about Sales,” said virtually no one ever. In this fast paced world, keep up with the latest or get left behind! No CE.

11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT LUNCH

Dave Evans, CFP, AIFA, to present Impact of Tax Legislation on My Agency. There are significant implications regarding the decrease in the corporate income tax rates, personal income tax rates and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) pass-through deduction. As a result, agencies need to revisit their approach to compensation, benefits and other business expenditures to make sure their current approach maximizes the value of the tax benefits to the owners and agency. No CE.

1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
FINDING AND FIXING COVERAGE GAPS
INSTRUCTOR: Bill Wilson, CPCU, ARM, AIM
Discover common coverage gaps found in many insurance policies and the remedies for such gaps in the form of insurance products or risk management techniques. Included are horrible policy forms to avoid or be wary of, endorsements that show up that the agents didn’t ask for, endorsements to use on almost every policy and why, policy form exclusions and limitations that can be handled but rarely are, coverage/endorsements that don’t do what you think they do, and things that do what you don’t think they do. Filed for CE.

1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY - UTILIZATION, IMPLEMENTATION & INSURTECH
INSTRUCTOR: Brian Bartosh, CIC, LUTCF
This session will provide a format to evaluation your own utilization of technology in the agency and how to fully implement what is available to position your agency for the future. We’ll also visit the impact of InsureTech and how agencies can better position themselves to compete. Filed for CE.

1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
SALES
INSTRUCTOR: Joan Sansing, CIC, ARM, AAI
“I’ve learned everything there is about Sales,” said virtually no one ever. In this fast paced world, keep up with the latest or get left behind! No CE.

5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
MAIA HAPPY HOUR
Won't you join us in the Center Concourse before heading out for a night on the town?

6:15 p.m.
FREE EVENING
Experience Grand Rapids!

Wednesday
February 20

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
COIs & CONTRACTUAL TRANSFER OF RISK
INSTRUCTOR: Chris Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS
Contractors make up a high percentage of many commercial agents’ book of business. With that, contractors also require a high percentage of the agency’s time. This session helps you deal with many of the issues related to contractual risk transfer and certificates of insurance by answering a few key questions ranging from what is contractual transfer of risk to what wording should NEVER be used on a COI. Filed for CE.

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
PRIVACY ISSUES: WHY YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE
INSTRUCTOR: Rick Pitts, JD
In this session, Rick will explore the major sources of law with respect to privacy concerns relevant to the insurance industry. Included is a discussion of non-insurance and insurance risk management solutions. Filed for CE.

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ATTRACTING & SELECTING HIGH LEVEL TALENT TO YOUR AGENCY
INSTRUCTOR: Art Betancourt, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Come learn how to build a program that will help you attract and select great talent that will solve your hiring needs now and into the future. Filed for CE.

12:00 p.m.
LET'S DO LUNCH
Lunch program includes:

Innovation & Insurance: A Panel Discussion. Come hear an industry panel discuss innovation and insurance: where we are and where we need to go.
Recognition of this year's new TQA agencies
Annual MAIA Membership Meeting

2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
TRADE SHOW

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
PAC RECEPTION

7:00 p.m.
COMPANY HOSPITALITY SUITES

About Our Presenters

Brian Bartosh is President of Top O' Michigan Insurance Agency, Inc., based in Alpena, Michigan. The agency is in a select group of clients of Applied Systems that participate in Controlled Release process.
Brian has served as chair of the users group for Applied Systems (ASCnet) and also previously as President. He currently participates and leads many working groups in the industry to focus on enhancing the client experiences. Brian serves as Secretary of the ID Federation (Sign On Once) and as the industry liaison to ACORD for the ACORD Users Group Information Exchange (AUGIE). He participates on the Agent's Council on Technology (ACT) committee and other industry organizations. Brian also serves as a National Faculty Member of The National Alliance and presents on the topic of Agency Management.

Art Betancourt is the CEO and Founder of AEBetancourt. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Downton Grand Rapids, AEBetancourt is a fast growing talent strategy consulting firm with a national client base. Utilizing a unique Talent Development Insourcing model, AEBetancourt brings a modern and unique solution to the talent development industry. Throughout his career Art has worked with hundreds of organizations, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, helping recruit, select and train employees for critical positions. Art has conducted more than 14,000 interviews and recruited and trained hundreds of employees for his clients. Prior to AE Betancourt, he was a Vice President and Partner at MarshBerry & Company, the nation's preeminent provider of financial, operational, sales management and organizational services within the insurance distribution system.

Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS, is the Executive Director of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big "I") Virtual University. He’s involved in researching, writing, and teaching property and casualty insurance coverages and concepts to Big "I" members and others in the insurance industry. During his career, Boggs has authored hundreds of insurance and risk management-related articles, and has written several insurance and risk management books. Boggs is a regular speaker at industry events and earned the 2017 Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) Brian Hey Prize as part of a of professional collaboration with a diverse group of professionals.

Richard S. Pitts is Vice-President and General Counsel to Arlington/Roe, an insurance brokerage and general agent in Indianapolis. Additionally, Rick serves as general counsel to the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc. and speaks annually at the association’s New Laws Seminars. Rick also teaches various seminars on insurance and employment related matters.

Joan Sansing, CIC, ARM, AAI, is president of Sansing Consulting, Inc. She began her insurance career with Liberty Mutual before joining the independent agency system in 1983 as a commercial lines producer. In 10 years she held the positions of agency owner, principal and sales manager. Joan has served as the agency management consultant to the Independent Insurance Agents of America, the education chairman for the Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland, and as associate director for The National Alliance Research Academy in Austin Texas. She currently serves as a faculty member of The National Alliance.

Bill Wilson, CPCU, ARM, AIM, AAM is the founder of InsuranceCommentary.com. He retired from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America in 2016 where he served as Assoc. VP of Education and Research and was the founder and director of the Big “I” Virtual University for over 17 years. He is the former Director of Education & Technical Affairs for the Insurors of Tennessee.
Bill was the recipient of the IIABA L.P. McCord National Education Award for having the #1 ranked state insurance education program in America. Bill has published dozens of technical articles, manuals and CDs/audio tapes, and has authored articles in business and industry trade periodicals. He is author of, When Words Collide: Resolving Insurance Coverage and Claims Disputes.

Thank You Sponsoring Partners!

Super Platinum Partners

With more than 100 years of strength, stability and success, EMC is fully dedicated to the independent agency system because we believe in the value you bring to the insurance process. Count on EMC® to support you with service, stability and so much more. Learn more.

We're in this business to help independent agencies grow and move forward. It's as simple as that. We're driven by the philosophy that if we help agencies solve their IT issues so they can become more profitable and successful, then we will inherently grow along with them. There is no catch, no gimmick, just experience and best practices that we've honed over the years to make our services work for YOUR agency needs. Learn more.

Platinum Partners

AAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services. Learn more.

Arlington/Roe is a managing general agency and wholesale insurance brokerage firm with specialty practices. Our underwriters and brokers coordinate among specialty teams to meet the needs of multi-faceted risk opportunities, piecing each risk puzzle together for our appointed agencies. Our lines of business range from motorcycles to complex environmental risks and everything in between. We are proud of the expertise of our 180 staff members and the breadth of our E&S and standard insurance company markets. Learn more.

Auto-Owners Insurance is a mutual insurance company that offers auto, home, business and life insurance to policyholders exclusively through independent agents. The company, which is located in Delta Township, Michigan, is the largest property and casualty insurance company headquartered in Michigan. Learn more.

Burns & Wilcox is an independent insurance wholesale broker and managing underwriter. The company offers over 300 insurance products and earned $140.1 million in revenue in 2010. Founded in 1969 by Herbert W. Kaufman, Burns & Wilcox now encompasses 37 offices in 24 states and one office in London, England. Learn more.

Citizens Insurance Company of America, based in Howell, Michigan, is a leading provider of personal and commercial property and casualty insurance, primarily in the Midwest, and through a select group of independent insurance agents and brokers. Founded in 1915, Citizens is a member of The Hanover Insurance Group, based in Worcester, Mass. Learn more.

With over 50 years of first hand agency management experience, founder and President Clare Rothi built Premco Financial Corporation around the cornerstone of providing unparalleled products and services to Independent Agents, spanning the scope of both personal and commercial lines. The Company is owned and managed by leading Independent Agents with extensive experience in finance, management, accounting and P&C insurance, making us more sensitive to the market and in-tune to the needs of today's agent. Learn more.

The Progressive Corporation is one of the largest providers of car insurance in the United States. The company also insures motorcycles, boats, RVs and commercial vehicles, and provides home insurance through select companies. The company was co-founded in 1937 by Jack Green and Joseph M. Lewis, and is headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio. Progressive ranked No. 112 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue. Learn more.

Diamond Partners

Frankenmuth Insurance has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses for 150 years. We work exclusively with independent agents, and employ more than 600 employees. Frankenmuth Insurance is financially sound, with more than $1 billion in assets and an A.M. Best rating of “A”. We work cooperatively and collectively to serve our policyholders, agents and communities. Learn more.

For independent insurance agencies who aspire to strengthen their agency, Keystone offers access to industry expertise, carriers, and connection to a community of like-minded agencies. For insurance carriers who want to develop relationships with independent agencies, Keystone offers a network of quality independent agencies and an innovative approach that aims to tap new markets and develop new products. Learn more.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is the commercial insurance arm of the Swiss Re Group. Our extensive knowledge and expertise allows us to understand the risks you face today, anticipate the risks you'll face tomorrow and tailor your coverage accordingly. It's our goal to make your business, and the world, more resilient. Learn more.

Gold Partners

ACUITY
Fremont Insurance Company

Michigan Agency Partners
Michigan Insurance Company

Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Co.
SECURA Insurance Company

The Guarantee Company of North America USA

Silver Partners