Non-Renewal = Loss of Benefits and Services
Don’t miss out on any of the benefits and services your membership provides to you – renew now! Annual membership dues must be paid by this Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

Payments received after March 31 are subject to the following:

• $300 late fee
• Loss of Perspectives subscription(s)
• Inability to register for Agency Management Institute
• Inability to register for NAILBA 29
• And more!

View a list of the benefits and services you receive through your NAILBA membership.

Completed renewal forms with credit card payment may be faxed to 703-383-6942 or mailed to NAILBA, 11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 110, Fairfax, VA 22030. Download a renewal form here.

If you have any questions about your renewal, please contact Naomi Romanchok at 703-383-3072 or nromanchok@nailba.org.

Agency Management Institute: Best Practices Panel
Registration is open for the NAILBA Agency Management Institute (AMI), May 13-14, at the Westin Lombard near Chicago. Early Bird Registration Discounts end April 16 – register now!

 The Agency Best Practices Panel, one of two concurrent workshops at AMI, will offer insights and wisdom into the BEST practices for agency management. 

 Moderator:  Eugene Koster, DCG Consulting

Panelists: 
Christi Daughenbaugh, Borden-Hamman Agency, Inc.
Melinda Meyer, ValMark Insurance Agency/ValMark Securities
Steve Rosen, Underwriters Brokerage Service
Todd Simpson, CLU, ChFC, The Stamm Agency

Workshop participants will learn:

• “When to quit” on a project
• Techniques on how best to prioritize
• Time management
• How to handle peak work periods
• How the top agencies work smartly and efficiently
• How to ask for help
• Top hints for the best available tools and technology

In addition to the Best Practices Panel, AMI will offer two Ritz Carlton Leadership Center sessions, providing valuable Customer Service Training – the Ritz Carlton way. These sessions would cost thousands of dollars to sponsor for your agency staff – but you can register for AMI for just $149!

Visit the AMI Web page for an updated full agenda, hotel reservation information and a list of participating sponsors. Full information about AMI was mailed to all member agency principals earlier this month.

The Westin Lombard is offering a discounted rate of $159 Single/Double; make your reservation online or call 630-719-8000 and reference the NAILBA Agency Management Institute to secure the discounted rate. The group rate is available until April 19, 2010.

Questions? Contact Michele Liston at 703-383-3069 or mliston@nailba.org.

Agency Management Institute – Sponsorship Opportunities
Agency Management Institute is a great mid-year opportunity to keep your products and services forefront in the minds of the independent brokerage community. Limited sponsorship opportunities remain for AMI, as listed below. Sponsorships include one complimentary registration to the event.

• Friday Lunch: Investment $5,000 each
• General Sessions (Two Opportunities):  Investment $7,000 each
• Leather Padfolios: Investment $12,000 
• Opening Networking Reception: Investment $12,000
• Refreshment Breaks (Two Opportunities): Investment $3,000 each
• Seated Massage: Investment $4,000
• USB Drive for Workshop Handouts: Investment $10,000 
• Bag Insert (Available Only to Current Sponsors): Investment $500 per item + cost of printing
• Educational Programming: Investment $2,500
• Product Training University (Twenty Eight Opportunities left): Investment: $1,500

For complete information on the available Sponsorship Opportunities for AMI including benefits and sponsorships already purchased visit the AMI Sponsorship Page or contact Susan Haning at shaning@nailba.org  or 703-383-3068.

NAILBA Advocacy:  A Resource for You AND Your Agents
An important and often over-looked benefit of NAILBA membership is effective advocacy on Capitol Hill.  NAILBA’s government affairs team has been busy this past year making sure that the Congressional overhaul of financial services does not put you out of business.  Several legislative victories in which NAILBA has participated include the following:

• Working with Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Tim Johnson (D-SD), along with agent groups AALU and NAIFA on a bipartisan amendment removing language from the Senate’s regulatory reform bill which would have imposed a uniform fiduciary standard of care on all brokers and dealers, including those who offer incidental advice on the purchase of an insurance product.
• Ensuring that any consumer finance protection agency resulting from regulatory reform does not include regulatory authority over any insurance products.

 NAILBA’s influence lies not only in our 350+ member agencies, but the approximately 200,000 agents with whom we work.  NAILBA is a resource for you and your agents.

 Here are some tips to get you and your agents involved—your business depends on it!

• Share this link with your agents and tell your Senators to support the standard of care study in The Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010.
• Visit our advocacy page and learn about the issues affecting independent distribution.
• Sign prior authorization and get involved with NAILBA PAC.

For more information on political involvement with NAILBA, contact Mark Valentini, NAILBA Government Affairs Manager at (703) 383-3073 or mvalentini@nailba.org.

NAILBA 29: Promotional Opportunities Available – New Sponsorships Added!
Showcasing your products and services at NAILBA 29 is a powerful and cost-effect way to reach NAILBA members.  In addition to print and online advertising, NAILBA offers exhibit opportunities and sponsorship opportunities – including new sponsorship items recently added.

To review the complete product offerings for NAILBA 29 Promotional Opportunities, click here for a printable Promotional Opportunities catalog.

Questions? Contact Susan Haning at shaning@nailba.org or 703-383-3068.

Senate Ready to Move on Regulatory Reform
On Monday evening, March 22 the Senate Banking Committee completed its mark-up of its regulatory reform draft, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010.  Republican members withdrew approximately 300 amendments from the bill as a sign of a possible bi-partisan agreement. If a bi-partisan deal is reached, it would improve the chances of this legislation becoming law before the November elections.

The Committee voted on the inclusion of a manager’s amendment with two provisions of interest to NAILBA.  The first, offered by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), calls for a study of the role of financial planners, specifically the effectiveness of state and Federal regulations of financial planners and those who offer financial advice, in addition to the use of potentially misleading financial advisor designations. Because the new language accepted into the bill has been toned down significantly, NAILBA views this as a positive development.

The second, introduced by Senator Mike Bennet (D-CO), calls for the disclosure of all costs associated with the sale of an investment product, including the amount of compensation received by the salesperson, total lifetime value of the investment and risks associated with the investment.  NAILBA is concerned about the impact this provision would have on sales if it becomes law. 

NAILBA’s government affairs team will continue to monitor developments in the regulatory reform debate and will provide regular updates. Questions? Contact Mark Valentini, NAILBA Government Affairs Manager at (703) 383-3073 or mvalentini@nailba.org.

LIFE Foundation – realLIFEstories Client Service Award: Deadline March 31!
Again this year, the LIFE Foundation and Newsweek magazine are partnering to sponsor the 15th annual realLIFEstories Client Service Award program, an initiative designed to educate Americans about the role of insurance in their financial plans.

Agents have until March 31, 2010 to submit a short essay describing how the benefits of insurance, along with their advice and assistance, made a big difference in a client’s life at a time of great financial need. An independent panel of judges will select four stories to be featured in a September 2010 special advertising section in Newsweek magazine, seen by nearly 13 million readers. In addition to the Newsweek special feature, each of the award recipients and their clients, along with a guest, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Seattle, Washington, September 11-14, 2010.  

Visit www.lifehappens.org/reallife for more information on how to submit your entry. Deadline to receive materials is Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

LIFE seeks stories involving life, disability, long-term care and health insurance. Additionally, LIFE is interested in stories involving individual insurance as well as coverage obtained through the workplace. NAILBA is proud member of LIFE, and is pleased to share information about their programs with our members.  For more information about LIFE, visit www.lifehappens.org.