LIRAP: More than 300 drawn to PIANY in Woodbury Conference

LIRAP: More than 300 drawn to PIANY in Woodbury Conference

More than 300 insurance professionals attended The Professional Insurance Agents of New York’s Long Island Regional Awareness Program on May 1, 2014. This year’s Long Island RAP took place at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The venue and perfect spring weather combined with inspired speakers and important networking opportunities to make this year’s Long Island RAP a success for agents and brokers in attendance.

Former New York Islander Bob Nystrom, a.k.a., “Mr. Long Islander,” adopted Long Islander and 24-year insurance industry veteran—spoke to RAP attendees over lunch, sharing key leadership lessons from his coach, that served him well in both hockey and business.

Though he won fame in the hockey rink, an eye injury in 1988 pushed him to find success outside professional sports. “It was kind of the best thing that ever happened to me,” Nystrom reflected. Picking up where one of his off-season jobs had left off, Nystrom began his new insurance career as a property/casualty agent before shifting to health insurance and employee benefits.

“… [T]he insurance industry turned out to be a real blessing,” said Nystrom. Speaking of the company he subsequently cofounded, Nystrom continued, “We actually grew the firm from four people to becoming a public company of 125 offices around the country.”

Nystrom emphasized the importance of PIA for agents and the entire industry.

“PIA has certainly done a wonderful job over the last [75] years, and they continue to do incredible work for the insurance industry. They provide a wealth of information and updates to the insurance agents … [a]nd, needless to say, so many things have changed in the industry over the last few years; it has become so important for all agents to be kept up to date on new developments, changes in regulations and also new legislation.”

Finally, Nystrom shared with RAP attendees some of the wisdom he learned from the example set by his former coach, Al Arbour, whom Nystrom called “the best motivator that I ever met.”

His first lesson was, “Good is the enemy of great.” Nystrom explained that most people give up once they reach “good.” It’s few that push past “good” to become “great.”

Arbour taught Nystrom and his teammates respect by demanding it. When a player took criticism poorly and smashed an egg on the coach’s head, Arbour didn’t shout. But, in two weeks, that player was off the team.

Nystrom also learned, “[t]he only way you can be successful is to have goals.” Arbour set specific, attainable goals for his team, such as cutting their goals-against by 100 and scoring 60 points. Later, down three games against the Pittsburg Penguins in the 1975 playoff series, Arbour told the team, “Just win one shift. Then win the next shift and the next shift.” The Islanders went on to win the next four games and the series.

Arbour also taught Nystrom and his teammates to take responsibility for their mistakes, but not to let fear of mistakes paralyze them. Nystrom remembered Arbour’s advice, “What’s the worst that can happen if you lose? You’ll wake up the next morning. The sun’s going to come up. But, isn’t it better to be on your toes, attacking and loving to win, rather than being on your heels, being afraid of losing?”

The final piece of Arbour’s wisdom that Nystrom shared was, “There is nothing you can do about something that you did three seconds ago, five minutes ago, five years ago. You can’t do anything about it. Learn from it; file it; and forget it.”

It’s this last piece of advice that allowed Nystrom to move past a game-losing performance in game five to score his famous winning goal in game six of the 1980 Stanley Cup finals, in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Award Ceremony

Also during lunch, Nassau County Legislator Michael Venditto was honored with the 2014 Long Island RAP Community Service award for his work with Superstorm Sandy relief centers, as well as his advocating for drug and alcohol prevention, community health care and small businesses.

“When Superstorm Sandy hit in October 2012, we were all victimized,” PIANY Vice President Michael Cracco said as he presented the award. “He worked day in and day out, for months, to bring his community back to life.”

“But he’s done more,” Cracco added. “As a legislator, he is in a unique position to enact change at higher levels, and he has worked hard to improve the lives of those who make up his community.”

“It’s kind of a backward feeling, being up here receiving this award,” Venditto said as he accepted the award. “I really came here today to say thank you to each and every one of you for the work you are doing. I have seen people like you, in the trenches, doing grunt work, being there for our residents, helping them get back into their homes and back on with their lives.”

PIANY also presented the Industry Professional of the Year award to John Farese, regional sales director for Travelers Insurance Co. The award recognizes an individual from an insurance company, general agency, managing general agency or other insurance industry profession, who has demonstrated qualities that foster a strong working relationship with agents and brokers, and who has exemplified a commitment to professionalism and service.

“Throughout his career, John has demonstrated respect for colleagues and customers in the industry, and an unwavering passion and dedication to his craft,” Long Island RAP Committee Chair Michael Loguercio said to the crowd.

Farese accepted the award with heartfelt comments, thanking his family, who was present, for standing by him, and to the industry for making his marriage possible.

“I met my wife when we both worked with The Hartford,” Farese said, “and it was 23 years ago, almost to the day, in this very room, that we were married. And many of you were there. It was like an insurance event!”  Finally, PIANY honored Robert Birner of Morstan General Agency with the Distinguished Insurance Service award.

“The Distinguished Insurance Service award honors an individual who has dedicated his or her life to the insurance industry,” Loguercio said, “a distinction that represents our honoree, who has tirelessly worked for his community for more than 55 years.”

“I’ve been in the field for about 55 years, and I made a lot of friends, believe it or not,” Birner said as he accepted his award. “I just would like to acknowledge some of them.” He then thanked his many friends and colleagues.

Education

Thanks to two continuing-education courses, event-goers also were able to earn valuable CE credit during Long Island RAP.

In the morning, Cathy Trischan, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AU, ARM, AAI, CRIS, MLIS, led Certificates of Insurance–NY Construction Changes. Attendees learned about the New York Construction Certificate of Liability Insurance Addendum, and discussed both the mechanics of completing the form and coverage issues.

In the afternoon, Trischan returned to lead another course, Ethical Issues in E&O. The class addressed the very delicate relationship between ethics and the choices insurance professionals make to protect their agencies against errors-and-omissions claims. Trischan specifically looked at the ethical responsibilities of insurance producers and the different approaches to decision- making, in a variety of situations. This course was approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Utica Mutual & Fireman’s Fund.

Trade Show and Networking

Throughout the day, industry professionals browsed a busy, sold-out trade show with scores of exhibitors displaying the latest products and innovations in the field. A variety of door prizes and contests created a palpable energy on the floor.

After the awards luncheon and keynote address, attendees enjoyed the NY-YIP Ice Cream Social to network and make valuable contacts in the region and the industry.