In his presentation, titled “The Power of the Agency/Carrier Relationship,” Hackling will share his perspectives on the foundational role strong bonds play in the success of agents and the companies they represent, along with ideas on how to leverage relationships to drive sales growth and increased profitability.
The keynote session will take place on February 17 during the PRO-to-PRO opening luncheon, which will also include the AIMS Society Annual Meeting of Members and the annual conferment for individuals who earned the Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) professional designation. Conference information is available at www.aimssociety.org/protopro.html.
“As agents and brokers, we recognize that few, if any, external factors influence our success more than the connections we maintain with our carriers,” says AIMS Society President Jim Gosselink, CPIA, CIC, LUTCF, president of Pella, Iowa-based Tulip City Agency, Ltd. “We’re eager to learn from Carl about what he views as the critical elements—and benefits—of solid agency-carrier partnerships.”
Hackling began his insurance career 24 years ago as an underwriter with Aetna, working there 10 years before moving to AIG, where he held various management roles. Before joining Zurich, he was a regional vice president for Hanover Insurance. “Insight Carl has gained working for a range of carriers—one with a national reach, one global and another regional or super-regional, if you will—should prove to be particularly valuable to our audience,” Gosselink notes.
Following the luncheon, attendees will learn from two agent-led panels: “Making Social Media Part of Your Agency Marketing Strategy” and “The New Marketplace: How to Experience Agency Growth Through Online Niches.” Also on the agenda for the first day of the conference is a presentation by Omnia Group’s Carletta Neal, titled “Hiring the Best: Key Personnel Traits for Today’s Sales-Focused Agencies.”
During the retreat, the AIMS Society will recognize an insurance carrier partner and an insurance agency producer for outstanding performance and achievement. For more information about the AIMS Society and the CPIA professional designation program, visit www.aimssociety.org. For more information about the event and about available sponsorship opportunities, contact AIMS Society Executive Director Kitty Ambers, CPIA, CIC, CISR, CPIW, CRMCS, IMIM, at (877) 674-CPIA or kitty@aimssociety.org.