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FROM THE
PRESIDENT'S DESK....
WHERE DID A YEAR GO?
Brian L. Bergman
MAY/JUNE 2008
As those who preceded me have often acknowledged, it all goes by so fast. I firmly believe
this turned out to be another strong and successful year for TriCounty.
We started off with an agenda of changing how we present this association to our members;
expanding the reach of the information we convey. Our Tri-Lines publication has become an
electronic success. Rick Longueira’s determination has made our foray into the digital world
worthy of our members and associates that receive it. It has been well thought out by our
committee and, in my view, presents as a classy publication. We have undeniably caught the
fever and have started on further improvements to the publication. Look ahead to Tri-Lines
2.0.
The website of the association has been transformed as well. Frank Elorza and his committee
have put forth an improved and more visible website that we expect to grow even further. Our
email list is has grown well beyond the number of members and sponsors, and it continues to
expand. Take a moment to go on our website and enter email addresses of employees or
associates that would benefit from receiving TriLines.
Our events calendar has been equally busy. In October we kicked of the year with the
Wholesalers Are In panel which drew excellent attendance and produced a well informed
evening. It’s always a goal of ours to have an event that draws as many people as possible,
but equally important was getting to see many new faces among others we have not seen in
a while.
November’s IIABNY member meeting accomplished the same. IABNY staff presented several
topics to a room full of attentive members. We learned about employment related issues and
how to deal with the pressure from direct writers. Additionally, November saw the Downstate
Conference and Trade Show. An extremely powerful panel of past Insurance Commissioners
honored the crowd with knowledgeable opinions and stories from the past. This was truly a
once in a career opportunity.
Our holiday party in December seems to get better each year and grow in size. We may need
to look into a bigger room soon. The music was great, as well as the festive atmosphere.
L-Day arrived a little early, in January, but was certainly a success. Our confident and
optimistic group set out to meet eye to eye with our state representatives and present them
with our agenda. As is the case each year, we received positive feedback that this face time
with agents/brokers and company reps is truly appreciated up in Albany. For those among us
that don’t take advantage of this opportunity I again affirm; you are passing up on a
tremendous opportunity to make a difference in your industry.
Moving into February, we were fortunate to have Gary Parks speak to us on sales techniques
and other ways to create better opportunities to grow in business. It’s rare to see so many
people stay after a meeting to meet our speaker to further the experience. Gary was well
received and it has been requested that he speak again. We will oblige.
The big event was in March. Robert Hartwig, President of the Insurance Information Institute,
had always been high on the list of notable industry insiders that we wanted as a speaker.
With help from our friends in Suffolk we organized a standing room only afternoon. Bob’s
insights on the fundamentals and trends driving our insurance industry were quite impressive.
Our April trip to Washington, D.C.
was met with a bit more pressure for
our contingency. The Optional Federal
Charter issue seemed to threaten
momentum and required the hands
on contact of our members. We were
told by almost every Congressional
Office that this remains at bay due to
our members being there in person
and fighting.
In May we’ll start a new beginning
with the installation of Evan Portnoy
as our new President on the 28th,
along with a still energized board of
directors that are truly fantastic. I
have all the confidence that this shall
be a better year for TriCounty. The
annual Jackson Traub Golf Outing on
June 23rd is already taking
reservations so book now while
there’s room. The day has always
been fun.
I am grateful for having experienced
the responsibilities and personal
satisfaction that TCIIAA President has
offered. It has been most rewarding
to work along with our great Board of
Directors, and to have been involved
in as much of the business of the
association that I had been. I look
forward to Evan Portnoy’s year ahead
and know that with his capabilities
and knowledge we are certain to have
another successful year.
With gratitude,
Brian Bergman