Insurance Bartender: A Look Back at This Year’s Highlights

Membership in the IIAW is an investment in your agency, your career and your industry. At the IIAW, we are proud of all we have accomplished this past membership year on behalf of our members and how each and every day, we all get to do something we love - helping independent agencies succeed. It is hard to quantify and illustrate the value of a membership so we put together a few chronological highlights:

September October October

The IIAW Emerging Leaders accept the Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award at the Big I National Fall Leadership event in Savannah, GA for their Capstone Innovation Conference. This was made possible thanks to our supporting company members. January

Workers’ Compensation IIAW launches its opposition to carriers workers’ compensation scheduled rating proposal.

January

IIAW runs a month-long social media campaign on cybersecurity reaching over 10,000 people.

December

IIAW creates a joint venture with agency technology expert, Steve Anderson. November

December

WAHVE IIAW announces strategic partnership with WAHVE to offer members new staffing solutions.

January

Emerging Technology Big I Associations look to the IIAW for thought leadership on emerging technology and invite IIAW’s CEO, Matt Banaszynski, to present at conventions across the US. Over 600 attend Matt’s speeches.

February

Our Emerging Leaders Committee donates over 100 items to the American Family Children’s Hospital.

IIAW and DAIS hold month-long sprint to make enhancements to the Internet of Insurance, to be rolled out in 2020.

New IIAW website launches with a resource-focused Agency Solutions section that includes access to over 100 agency-specific resources.

February February

E&O Website Review IIAW launches new virtual E&O website review to protect agencies from expanding litigation. Over 50 agencies take advantage of the new service within the 1st six months.

April

Digital Storefront The Internet of Insurance launches their Digital Storefront providing Big I members a complimentary solution for selling products online. Over 100 agencies sign up to create their Digital Storefronts.

March

Strategic Planning Session IIAW Strategic Planning Session held with 25 Board Members and Exclusive Company Members.

March

IIAW is the only agent trade association to help draft and testify in support of ADA 819/ SB784 relating to establishing WI cybersecurity regulation.

March

Webinar IIAW hosts webinar to help agencies “Learn How to Become a Digital Agency.”

April

IIAW successfully and quietly defeats damaging draft business interruption legislation.

April

IIAW successfully lobbies for insurance agents to be listed as an essential business.

April

On March 12th, as the COVID-19 pandemic hits Wisconsin, Governor Evers declares a State of Emergency, and IIAW launches its COVID-19 Resource Page.

May

IIAW publishes a video, “Insuring Wisconsin’s Success”which garners more than 11,000 views. The video outlines how the insurance industry is coming together during COVID-19.

IIAW provides guidance on applying for PPP loans and individually assists over 50 agencies with the application process.

COVID-19 Support IIIAW places personalized check-in calls to every IIAW agency member to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cover Your Agency IIAW hosts “Cover Your Agency” webinar to answer agency’s questions on Operations, Legal/HR, Government Relations and Technology.

Reopening Your Business IIAW publishes “Guide to Reopening Your Agency” to help insurance agents plan for a safe and successful reopening.

May

Disaster Relief Fund IIAW/IIABA Disaster Relief Fund distributes more than $10,000 to agencies adversely impacted by COVID-19.

June June

IIAW provides step-by-step guidance and letters of acknowledgment to over 220 qualifying agencies to provide assistance in applying for the WEDC “We’re All In” grant.

IIAW negotiates compromise with the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance on commercial deregulation legislation.

July July June

Digital Storefront Assistance

IIAW to offer one-on-one sup- port workshops for agencies to assist in setting up their complimentary Internet of Insurance Digital Storefront to increase utilization. June

Prelicensing classes reopen for in-person attendance and offer a new, live, virtual option as well.

IIAW Emerging Leaders Committee hosts “Virtual Selling: A Panel Discussion” to provide advice and counsel to other member agencies. (Sponsored by affiliate, partners and exclusive company members.

Data Privacy & Security Framework IIAW joins Wisconsin Insurance Alliance to ask Data Privacy & Security Advisory Committee to develop effective data privacy and security framework for Wisconsin residents and businesses that address the industry’s concerns.

This is a small snapshot of how our association, thanks to your support, is working hard on your behalf. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance. We want to ensure you receive a return on your membership! Thank you.

CEO of IIAW

Recipe courtesy of Guy Fieri

• 1 oz. watermelon Schnapps • 1 slice lime • 1 big splash of cranberry juice • 1 1/2 oz. tequila • 1 very thin slice of jalapeno or • 1/4 oz. blue Curacao serrano pepper • 1/2 oz. simple syrup • 1 slice lemon • Watermelon wedge, for garnish (Optional)

1. Mix the Schnapps and cranberry juice in shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass. 2. Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue Curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.