PIA Stars in A.C. Agent Gala

Some 2,000 agents and insurance industry professionals took to Atlantic City at the PIANJ/PIANY Annual Conference Harrah’s Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., June 10 – 12. The event, an ever-evolving industry tradition, brought a flood of insurance professionals to the shore, to network and be seen at exciting and fun events; packing an expansive trade show; and attending cutting-edge educational seminars with a host of topics important to agents for continuing-education credit. Sound waves from the music at the YIP Nitecap and a black-and-white pool party made the scene full of energy; and Comedian Tom Cotter, of America’s Got Talent fame, entertained attendees at a fun and filling Monday lunch.

Trade show and exhibition

The conference kicked off with a networking lounge at the center of the biggest insurance exhibition in the Northeast, featuring hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Insurance professionals joined colleagues for two days of making valuable contacts and getting up-to-date with events to help them grow their business. Hundreds of vendors, eager to meet with agents from some of the biggest PIA-affiliate states, came to check out the latest innovations, products and markets.

“We have attended numerous conventions and conferences across the U.S., and the PIA Conference, by far is the best … beginning with the warm welcome on Sunday, to the final wrap on Tuesday, there was no doubt that the conference was on time, on point and detail-oriented,” said Greg Feeney, director of sales at Ontrak Solutions, one of the nearly 200 vendors that filled the trade show.

Education

Registrants could choose from more than half-a-dozen CE classes that captivated and offered valuable information for agents seeking to grow their businesses and profits. “I come to conference because I know I will leave with valuable knowledge I can use at my agency,” one member was heard saying. “Of course, it’s a good time and I love to see all my old friends, but where else can I get CE credit that is truly this useful?”

Education kicked off on Sunday with the opening general session, Managing the New ‘Social’ Insurance Industry, an interactive panel discussion moderated by Donna Chiapperino, PIANY past president and sales director at GuideOne Insurance. The panel was comprised of Amy Bryan, CIC, agency owner, Bryan Insurance Agency; Timothy Morales, managing partner, Synchronous–The Social Media Co.; and Christina Sarapuchiello, business development manager, Jimcor Agencies.

Steven D. Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AAI, ARM, AIS, CRIS, MLIS taught two classes, each for three credits: Commercial & Personal Lines Renewal Review on Monday morning, and Insurance Quiz–Testing Your Knowledge in the afternoon. James Burger of The Service Insurance Co. taught Exploring Contract Surety, Risk Factors to Consider; and Gary Slavin, CLTC, LUTCF, CIC, taught Life and Health for the P&C Agent–Don’t Leave Commission Dollars on the Table.

Then, on Tuesday, the ever-popular John Fear, CPIA, CISR, taught the Closing E&O session: Errors, Omissions and Ethics in the Virtual Marketplace.

Fun and filling lunch with Comedian Tom Cotter

PIANY President Fred Holender, CLU, CPCU, ChFC, MSFS, opened the buffet networking lunch as master of ceremonies,) PIANJ immediate past President Kacy Campion Renna, CIC,  introduced the new PIANJ officers and newly inducted PIANJ President Lloyd H. “Rip” Bush Jr., CPIA, welcomed the new generation of professionals, including the new NJYIP administration before introducing Comedian Tom Cotter. Cotter’s show entertained the audience with side-splitting one-line humor that brought him to the second-place position in America’s Got Talent!

Music, dancing and entertainment

PIA’s Poolside Party

To The Max led the festivities at Harrah’s Pool Monday evening. Everyone had a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new connections, while enjoying appetizing dinner stations and dancing in Harrah’s tropical pool club—wearing black and white attire – and fun.

YIP Nitecap

Harrah’s Eden Lounge rocked with energy as PIA’s Young Insurance Professionals hosted an evening event Sunday that everyone enjoyed.  The Eden Lounge was full; bartenders were fast and busy; and even the young at heart had fun, dancing to the music of Legends!

Fun Run for Special Olympics: a 34-year, $4 million relationship

The annual Fun Run for Special Olympics New Jersey, a 34-year tradition on the Boardwalk continued on Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. To date, PIANJ and NJYIP have raised some $4 million for SONJ. Participants ran, jogged and walked, and celebrated the fundraising and race accomplishments with Special Olympics athletes and officials during the celebratory breakfast that followed. Special Olympics athletes who have participated in the games for as long as 50 years addressed the breakfast crowd, bringing their audience to tears.

Nearly 110 runners took part in the five-kilometer race. Franklin Mutual Insurance Co.’s Kyle Price finished first for the men with a time of 16:45; Alysse Merullo, a member of the Maiden Re team, finished first for the women with a time of 25:24.

In terms of fundraising, FMI, a major-event sponsor for many years, was the company that raised the most money, contributing more than $85,000 to the Fun Run total. During the annual conference, FMI also received the Community Service award from PIANJ for its commitment to the Fun Run and other events. Other top fundraisers included: Jimcor Agencies, top agency; and Jordana Nester of Maiden Re as top individual.

In all, the Fun Run raised $112,000this year for the cause.

PIA New Jersey elects its 2018-19 board of directors.

Sunday morning, PIANJ held its annual board meeting, at which the association named its 2018-19 board of directors and officers:

PIAN PIANJ 2018-2019 officers:

• PIANJ National Director Keith A. Savino, CPIA

• Immediate past President Kacy Campion Renna, CIC

• Secretary Connie Mahoney

• Treasurer Rip Bush, CPIA

• Vice President Steven C. Radespiel

• Vice President Michael DeStasio Jr.

• First Vice President Bruce Blum

• President Lloyd H. “Rip” Bush Jr., CPIA

The Association’s Young Insurance Professionals Association also named its board and officers:

PIANJ-YIP officers (pictured below)

• Immediate past President Aaron Levine, CIC

• Secretary Michael S. DeStasio

• Treasurer Alyssa Itzkowitz

• Second Vice President Ryan Cervasio

• First Vice President John DeFeo

• President Logan True, CRIS