Among the industry leaders speaking at the annual event are Sarah Pang, senior vice president for corporate communications at CNA, who will share her insights on improving communications professionals positions within an organizations with “Note-take to Noteworthy: 5 Signs Your Team Is on the Right Path.”
Tom Tropp, vice president of corporate ethics at Arthur J. Gallagher, will offer a thought- provoking session on “Corporate Ethics and Communications,” sharing his thoughts on corporate ethics and how they impact marketing and communications.
“Our 2011 Annual Meeting offers an information-packed agenda and tremendous opportunities to network and learn from other insurance marketing and communications professionals throughout North America,” said current IMCA President Linda J. Collins, VP-Corporate Communications for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. “Attendees can expect to walk away equipped with fresh ideas on how to energize and improve their marketing and communications efforts, and connections and friendships that will enrich their careers.”
In “Break Free from Traditional Thinking,” Paul Fletcher, senior vice president of marketing at Aviva Canada, will draw on examples from organizations around the world to explore when opportunities are ripe for dramatic changes in the insurance communications field. Corbette Doyle, lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, will give a keynote address on “The Diversity Advantage,” based on her experience as the first chief diversity officer at Aon.
Looking to the future, Sam Friedman, who served nearly 30 years at National Underwriter magazine, many of them as editor-in-chief, will share unique insights into the past, present and digital future of insurance media coverage. Now an insurance leader at Deloitte Research, Friedman will present “The Insurance Media, Markets, and Momentum: How Bumpy Is Our Future?”
Mark Schumann, the immediate past chair of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), will share his forecasts and best practices in “Communication 2020: Future of the Profession.” Schumann will highlight ways in which communication professionals can productively look ahead and stay relevant in the modern business environment.
The IMCA Annual Meeting agenda also features:
• Rod Brooks, chief marketing officer at PEMCO, who will give an enlightening talk on “Seeing the Edge: Differentiating in an Undifferentiated Industry.” He will draw on his experience in helping to transform and enhance the public face of PEMCO, the 2010 IMCA SAMMY Award winner.
• Wizard of Ads’ Tim Miles, who will discuss “The Pendulum: Marketing in 2011 and Beyond,” taking a look at the formative influences on Western society to illuminate the future of marketing.
• How do you “Recreate Mother Nature in a Box?” Brenda O’Connor of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety will describe the fabulous work being done at the world’s first Disaster Research Center, and how IBHS is effectively telling its story about the research findings of its new lab in South Carolina.
• Retired US Navy Captain Robert W. “Andy” Anderson, who will kick off the meeting with his unique perspective on making a difference for those around you, professionally and personally.
The IMCA Annual Meeting is also the venue for the Showcase Awards Gala on June 28, where insurance marketing and communications professionals will recognize outstanding work by their peers. Industry leading work will be displayed throughout the Annual Meeting, and the very best will be honored with the Awards of Excellence and Best of Show in 35 categories.
Attendees will vote for the overall best of show, the coveted SAMMY award. The Showcase program will also feature a special presentation by renowned creative director Jack Neary, former chief creative officer at BBDO Canada.
Sponsors of this year’s IMCA Annual Meeting include A.M. Best Company, Grinnell Mutual, IMN, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Journal, The Co-Operators, and The Institutes. To register and learn more about the IMCA Annual Meeting or the Showcase Awards, visit www.imcanet.com.
About IMCA
The Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCAsm) is an international organization of insurance communications professionals specializing in marketing, communications, advertising, sales promotion, public relations and media relations. The oldest insurance marketing and communications association in North America, it began as the Insurance Advertising Conference (IAC) in 1923 and was renamed in 1984 to better depict the evolving roles of insurance communicators. IMCA’s purpose is to promote excellence in insurance marketing and communications, improve the professional skills of members, foster the sharing of ideas and experiences among members and promote a positive image of the insurance industry.