Carve diem: The 2006 Peak Performance Ski Conference

Insurance professionals were asked to sharpen more than just their skis at the 2006 Peak Performance Ski Conference held Jan 25-28 in Vail, Colo. At the conference, reinsurance carriers, reinsurance intermediaries, professional employer organizations, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, national brokers, retail agencies and vendors worked to develop a strategy to generate higher profits, greater income and new programs.

Among the topics addressed was “Specialty Insurance in a Soft Market,” a panel discussion moderated by National Marketing President Larry Neilson. The panelists — Pete Purvis, vice president multiline programs for AIGs Lexington Insurance Co.; Jino Masone, executive vice president of Zurich Programs; Andrew Cutler, vice president of Beazley Lloyds; and Geof McKernan, president and CEO of NSM Insurance Group — recommended sales and marketing techniques. To get program business going in 2006, the panelists suggested accounts combined make up a minimum of $5 million in premium on a regional basis, and $10 million in premium minimum on a national basis.

Also at the conference, Kelly Drouillard, COO of Brooke Brokerage, Brooke Credit Corp, discussed methods her firm uses to lend money for growth, mergers and acquisitions. She said many managing general agents, wholesalers and program administrators have value they can leverage without giving up ownership of their business.

Frits Seifert, national marketing manager for AIG Programs addressed how to turn small programs into larger ones.

Companies represented at the conference included St. Paul/Travelers, AIG Programs (Lexington), Hub International, Zurich, Beazley (Lloyds) and AMTRUST.

Next year’s event will be held in Park City, Utah. Details and a registration form can be found at www.skiprogrambusiness.com, which will be updated soon. Or, call Jeff Neilson, 800-736-9741 ext. 3003.

Topics Training Development