Agents, insurance professionals, and industry experts from New Jersey and New York came together for the PIANJ/PIANY Annual Conference on June 9-11, 2019, at Harrah’s Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The event—a jam-packed two days—brought networking opportunities, a premier trade show and education sessions providing continuing-education credits—as well as a lot of fun for attendees while celebrating PIANJ/PIANY’s 80th anniversary.

The conference was the venue for PIANJ’s presentation of the Awards of Distinction and the installation of the 2019-20 PIANJ officers and directors.

Mentalist Eric Dittelman wows the crowd with his mind-reading abilities.

PIANY President Jamie Ferris, CIC, AAI, CPIA, opens the luncheon.

John Fear at one of his CE-approved education classes, The Business of Inn-surance.

Steve Lyon teaches Good Stuff–Endorsements You Want on Your Policy, if Possible.

PIANJ President Bruce Blum, CPIA, and NJYIP President Logan True, CRIS (right), present Special Olympics New Jersey President and CEO Heather Anderson with a check for $100,466.01.

Outgoing PIANJ President Rip Bush, CPIA (right), presents Andrew Harris Jr., CIC, AAI, with the Professional Agent of the Year award.

Outgoing PIANJ President Rip Bush, CPIA (right), presents Beth Frederickson, CPIA, with the Director of the Year award.

NJYIP Director Lisa Glesias, CPIA, from Franklin Mutual Insurance Co., and PIANJ outgoing President Rip Bush, CPIA (right), present FMI’s Gary Capone, CPCU, ARM, with the Company Person of the Year award.

PIANJ past President Kacy Campion Renna, CIC (left), and the association’s outgoing President Rip Bush, CPIA, present the Company of the Year award to Selective Insurance, which was accepted on behalf of the company by Teresa Caro.

Incoming PIANJ Vice President, and co-chair of the PIANJ Special Olympics Golf Committee, Thomas Wilkens and outgoing President Rip Bush, CPIA (right), present Special Olympics New Jersey’s Beth Starr with the Community Service award.

PIANJ officers for 2019-20: (L-R) Thomas Wilkens; Steven C. Radespiel; Bruce Blum, CPIA; Rip Bush, CPIA; Michael DeStasio Jr., TRIP; Constance Mahoney; with PIA National Director Paul Monacelli, CIC, CPIA. Not pictured: Andrew Harris Jr., CIC, AAI.

Newly elected President Bruce Blum, CPIA, along with PIANJ officers, presented outgoing President Rip Bush, CPIA, with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.

(L-R) PIA National Director Paul Monacelli, CIC, CPIA; PIA National President Keith A. Savino, CPIA; newly elected PIANJ President Bruce Blum, CPIA; and outgoing PIANJ President Rip Bush, CPIA.

Some of the PIANJ-YIP board members for 2019-20: (L-R) Alyssa Delaney; Michael DeStasio; Peter Leone and Logan True. Not pictured: Corey Cousoulis.

The PIANJ-YIP officers and directors for 2019-20 with newly elected PIANJ President Bruce Blum, CPIA (right).

Trade Show and Networking

The biggest insurance exhibition in the Northeast kicked off with giveaways and a Welcome Cocktail Reception on the trade-show floor. Hors d’ oeuvres and drinks were served while insurance professionals made valuable contacts and built relationships to help grow their businesses. The trade show continued through a second day, with hundreds of vendors eagerly meeting with insurance professionals and sharing the latest industry innovations. The event wrapped with a Wine and Cheese Reception on the final day.

The event also brought VIP guests to the trade-show floor. PIA National President and PIANJ past President Keith A. Savino, CPIA, and PIA National Executive Vice President Mike Becker rubbed shoulders with agents and exhibitors alike, and shared what is happening on the national stage within our industry. Dan Maher, the executive director of the Excess Line Association of New York attended the event; as well as Herminia Bonillia, president of the Latin Agents & Brokers Association; and Wendy-Leigh Certo, president of the Surplus Lines Association of New Jersey.

Keynote Luncheon with AGT Entertainment

The Networking Luncheon is always known to be a fun event, and this year it was no exception. PIANY President Jamie Ferris, CIC, AAI, CPIA, opened the luncheon, recognizing PIA past presidents, and the PIANY board of directors. PIANJ outgoing President Lloyd “Rip” Bush, CPIA, introduced the new PIANJ officers and newly inducted PIANJ President, Bruce Blum, CPIA. Blum had the honor of recognizing the newly indicted NJYIP officers, and stressed the importance of growing the next generation of industry leaders.

Finally, Eric Dittelman, a mentalist featured on “America’s Got Talent,” wowed the crowd with his mind-reading abilities. PIANY President-elect John Tomassi, CPCU, had the pleasure of duct-taping Dittelman’s face. And, participants from the crowd had Dittelman guessing (accurately) their marker drawings, childhood Christmas gifts, favorite Halloween costumes and even their first crushes.

Education Sessions

Two days’ worth of educations sessions were held during the conference. Emerging Technologies & New Insurance Exposures was offered by Steve Anderson, CIC. Good Stuff–Endorsements You Want on Your Policy, if Possible was presented by Steve Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AAI, AIS, CRIS. New Revenue with Bonds was offered by James Burger. The Business of Inn-surance and Errors & Omissions in Today’s Virtual Marketplace were presented by John Fear, CPIA, CISR. And finally, Workplace Violence Coverage–What You Need to Know was taught by Paul Cossentine, CIC.

CE credits were approved for all of the education sessions—for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania licenses. As always, PIA is committed to providing quality education opportunities!

YIP Nitecap

Our young insurance friends know how to throw a great party! Harrah’s Eden Lounge was the center of the action Sunday night, with music, dancing and craft drinks. NJYIP members donned tie-dye t-shits with the reminder to “Keep Calm and Stay Young!”

Celebrating 80 Years at the Poolside Party

PIANJ and PIANY both are celebrating their 80^th anniversary. In recognition of this momentous occurrence, the Poolside Party was ‘80s themed. Attendees wore ‘80s outfits, food from the ‘80s was served, and the band Legacy played our favorite tunes from the ‘80s. Big hair and jelly bracelets were everywhere!

Fun Run for Special Olympics Raises Over $100,000

The 35-year partnership between PIANJ, NJYIP and the Special Olympics New Jersey continued with the annual Fun Run for Special Olympics. Even a rainy morning on the Boardwalk couldn’t keep runners from skipping the 5K race. An award breakfast followed, where Special Olympics athletes, runners, and event supporters celebrated.

The top male finishers included Frank Durkin in first place (19:25); Kyle Price in second place (19:26); and Noah Dallas in third place (20:25). The top female finishers included Victoria Thaler in first place (22:45); Tabatha Mackenzie in second place (26:50); and Claire Goble in third place (27:05).

Awards of Distinction

Sunday morning, PIANJ held its annual board meeting, at which PIANJ outgoing President Lloyd H. “Rip” Bush Jr., CPIA, presented the following awards:

Andrew Harris, Jr., CIC, AAI, of Liberty Insurance Associates, received the Professional Agent of the Year award.

Beth Frederickson, CPIA, of Voluntary Risk Managers, received the Director of the Year award.

Gary J. Capone, CPCU, ARM, of Franklin Mutual Insurance Co., received the Company Person of the Year award.

Selective Insurance received the Company of the Year award. Senior Vice President, New Jersey Regional Manager Teresa Caro accepted the award on Selective’s behalf.

Beth Starr of Special Olympics New Jersey received the Community Service award.

PIANJ Elects its 2019-20 Board of Directors

At its annual board meeting, the association also named its 2019-20 board of directors and officers.

PIANJ 2019-20 officers:

President: Bruce Blum, CPIA

President-elect: Steven C. Radespiel

Vice President: Michael DeStasio Jr., TRIP

Vice President: Thomas Wilkens

Treasurer: Constance Mahoney

Secretary: Andrew Harris Jr., CIC, AAI

Immediate past President: Lloyd H. “Rip” Bush Jr., CPIA

The association’s Young Insurance Professionals also named its officer and board of directors at the conference.

PIANJ-YIP 2019-20 officers

President: Logan True, CRIS

First Vice President: Alyssa Delaney

Second Vice President: Peter Leone

Treasurer: Michael S. DeStasio

Secretary: Corey Cousoulis

Immediate past President: Aaron Levine, CIC

Next year’s conference is scheduled for June 7-9, 2020.

PIANJ/PIANY Take Over Atlantic City 80’s Style!

Insurance Advocate