NAMIC to Host 106th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.

The 106th annual convention of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) will take place Sept. 23-26, 2001, at the Washington Hilton and Towers in Washington, D.C.

The convention, expected to attract more than 1,700 participants, features a stellar line-up, with special sessions targeted to the interests of property/ casualty insurance companies. Highlights include:

· Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and 1996 Republican vice presidential candidate, Jack Kemp, the founder of Empower America, an organization devoted to growth, economic well-being freedom and individual responsibility, keynotes the 106th convention.

· “Is Mold the Next Asbestos?” panelists will give an overview of this crucial issue. The panel will include Dr. Robert Hartwig, chief economist at the Insurance Information Institute; Douglas G. Houser, partner with Bullivant Houser Bailey PC’s Insurance Practice Group; Barbara Reardon of Educating Underwriters Consulting Inc., a Batavia, Ill.-based education and underwriting consulting firm; and Lyle Hogan, a senior engineer with Geo Science Group, Inc. NAMIC Vice President-Regulatory Affairs, Roger Schmelzer, will moderate.

· Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is a great source of information on the next Farm Bill. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, he plays a key role in plotting future agricultural policy. He has represented Iowa in the U.S. Senate since 1984, and was a Congressman for ten years prior.

· Presentations and panel discussions will focus on technology Sept. 25. Jeffrey M. Yates, executive director with the Agents Council for Technology will address “The Agent’s View of Today’s Technology.” Bill Pieroni, general manager with the Global Insurance Industry Division of IBM, will speak on “A Global View of Emerging Technology.” The morning will conclude with a panel discussion titled, “Making Technology a Part of the Company Strategy.”

· Rep. Michael G. Oxley (R-Ohio) will give Wednesday’s General Session “A Look at the 106th Congress.” As chairman of the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Oxley is in a unique position to discuss the legislative future of mutual insurance and issues that will affect NAMIC members.

· Secretary of Education Rod Paige will accept the Insurance Education Foundation’s Crystal Apple Award, Sept. 21. The award highlights the need for financial education among America’s youth. IEF will also recognize its Insurance Educator of the Year.

· Two former White House Press Secretaries will provide the convention’s “Point/Counterpoint.” Joe Lockhart, press secretary and assistant to President Clinton, locks opinions with Marlin Fitzwater, former press secretary to both Presidents Reagan and Bush.

Ninety-eight vendors will exhibit their products and services at 110 booths. As part of the technology focus of this year’s convention, attendees will be able to use NAMIC Online’s Cyber Cafe to access their e-mail or find out about last minute changes at convention. Underwritten by Lawson Software, attendees will be able to stay in touch with their home offices over the World Wide Web through multiple workstations and a high-speed Internet connection.

For further information and to register online, visit NAMIC Online at www.namic.org and click on the Convention Tab.

Topics Tech Washington Agribusiness Training Development