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2 STRENGTHEN THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

3 THE BIG I The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. is a powerful advocate for your distribution channel independent insurance agents. By supporting our partner programs, not only do you strengthen the independent agency system, but you reach our more than 27,000 member agency locations and their 300,000 employees. Through sponsorship you can demonstrate your commitment to branding, technology, research, perpetuation and diversity in the industry. Only one organization can provide this kind of reach the Big I. independentagent.com

4 Educates consumers on the value of independent insurance agents Promotes a national marketing strategy that drives new sales More than 10 years ago, independent agents and the companies they represent united to create a brand to educate consumers on the value of what independent agents have to offer: choice in companies, customization of policies and advocacy when consumers want it. Today, more than 27,000 independent agency locations make up Trusted Choice, the national brand for independent insurance agents. Through the combined efforts of company partners, local agencies and national, state and local Big I affiliates, Trusted Choice is reaching millions of consumers giving the independent agency channel the leverage it needs to compete in the insurance marketplace. Trusted Choice agents and partnering companies benefit from a marketing strategy that includes a consumer-tested logo, national advertising and public relations campaigns, marketing support and a Web-based agency locator that drives consumers to a Trusted Choice agency or brokerage. Key to the strength of the brand is the Pledge of Performance, which outlines a host of customer service benefits. An advertising campaign with customizable television, radio and print ads communicates the importance of the pledge to consumers. Develop relationships with future industry leaders Network with tomorrow s agency principals The national Young Agents Committee (YAC) provides young insurance professionals with educational and leadership opportunities to help them cultivate successful and rewarding insurance careers. YAC hosts the annual Big I Young Agent Leadership Institute, which provides sales, leadership and agency best practices training to young agents throughout the nation. The event also offers state Young Agents Committee leaders a chance to interact and learn how to best assist constituents in their states. To keep the meeting momentum going year-round, YAC has created an online workspace to share information, announcements and calendars. Young agents are involved in the legislative process and work to protect the industry on Capitol Hill and in their states. These bright professionals chair state committees and influence thousands of principals, producers and CSRs. By supporting the young agents program, your company will benefit from networking with the next generation of agency owners the industry s future leaders. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2012 Big I Legislative Conference & Convention, which will be held April 25-27, 2012 in Washington, D.C. and the Big I Young Agents Leadership Institute, Sept. 7-9, 2012 in Atlanta. These events give company sponsors the priceless opportunity to network with young agents and walk away with many new contacts and a host of fresh ideas from the best and brightest producers in the nation. > Member Resources > Young Agents

5 Provides agent-company forum to promote tools and programs to create profitable agencies Empowers your agents with growth strategies Now more than ever independent insurance agents and brokers are looking for ways to boost productivity and increase sales. The Council for Best Practices has worked to develop the tools to help the independent agency distribution channel improve, grow, perpetuate and increase its value. The Council for Best Practices research analyzes agency management operations and business practices to reveal the secrets of the most successful agencies and brokerage firms, providing important financial and operational benchmarks. Interest in Best Practices resources continues to increase and online education tools are helping agents and brokers grow despite the difficult economy. The three-year study cycle began in 2010, allowing new agencies in six revenue categories a chance to be part of the prestigious group known as Best Practices agencies. To guarantee the information and statistics are as timely and accurate as possible, the Big I, in partnership with Reagan Consulting, provides annual updates to the information. The 2011 Best Practices Study Update will be available in September The study findings are the foundation for all of the Best Practices tools, including seminars, webinars, publications and online resources. Develops multicultural ownership of independent agencies Attracts diverse professionals to insurance careers Increases market share in multicultural communities The Diversity Task Force is charged with fostering a profitable independent agency force that reflects, represents and capitalizes on the opportunities of the diverse U.S. population. It supports multicultural agent appointments under the premise that a more diverse insurance marketplace is a stronger marketplace. Emerging and diverse markets are critical to the future of the independent agency system. The Diversity Task Force is driven by a focused team of agents and company executives that works together with multicultural industry groups, state associations and other Big I committees to create an awareness of the opportunities and benefits available by embracing diversity and encouraging change necessary for the independent agency system to survive and flourish. The ultimate goal of the Task Force is to help create an independent agency population, from ownership to all staffing levels, that mirrors the diversity of the nation and enables both agencies and companies to achieve optimal growth and market penetration. Participating companies on the Council for Best Practices have access to the latest data about leading agencies and offer insight for the future direction of the program. Your company can use the data to provide a framework for your regional and national marketing efforts. > Member Resources > Best Practices

6 Offers a unique forum for companies, agencies and technology providers Focuses on enhancing agent-carrier productivity, security and online marketing Encourages the most effective use of technology and workflows The Agents Council for Technology (ACT) is a future-focused forum for the Big I, companies, agents, technology vendors, user groups and industry associations to collaborate on how to effectively use technology to improve workflows, productivity, security and online marketing. ACT provides an excellent opportunity for all technologyrelated stakeholders to brainstorm strategies that improve agent and carrier performance. Program work groups and meetings give participants a forum to improve the industry s workflows and use of technology. Members receive frequent reports and information to keep them up-to-date on agency and agent-carrier technology issues. ACT hosts a variety of webinars to broaden the reach of its key initiatives, attracting thousands of attendees. ACT and AUGIE continue to spearhead the Real Time/Download Campaign to increase agency and carrier Real Time and Download usage. ACT is also focused on identifying important technology and consumer trends for the industry, promoting more effective agency marketing online and improving agency security. Creates a large pool of qualified insurance talent Fuels the future of the industry by attracting new talent For more than 40 years, InVEST has been educating students on the importance of insurance and the variety of career opportunities the industry offers. This one-ofa-kind program, in high school and community colleges across the country, is truly classroom-to-career training. Students learn the fundamentals of insurance and financial services through course materials, guest speakers and mock agency exercises. InVEST graduates are often offered internships with area companies or agencies and start their careers from an InVEST connection. In the spring of 2011, InVEST provided approximately $47,000 in scholarships to high school and community college students pursuing insurance related careers or degrees. As of the summer of 2011, there more than 220 active InVEST classrooms in 41 states and the District of Columbia and 36 designated InVEST advocates (or state champions ), who work closely with national staff to make the program the best it can be. As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, InVEST relies solely on tax-deductible contributions, and this financial support determines the program s ability to grow. InVEST and companies share a common goal to secure the future of the insurance industry and your company s partnership is crucial to InVEST s success.

7 Shapes insurance laws and improves insurance regulation Access to the 2010 Agency Universe Study the most authoritative, in-depth research available on independent agents and brokers Partner to produce the 2012 Agency Universe Study For more than 25 years, Future One has brought the industry s stakeholders together for two critical purposes: industry research and government affairs. On the research side, Future One probes industry trends through the Agency Universe Study, a comprehensive investigation conducted every two years that is the foremost authority on agency business issues. Other studies analyze technology, market share and the factors that drive consumer insurance decision-making. Effective legislation and regulation comes from teamwork a philosophy that is the basis of Future One s government affairs efforts. Future One is successful because it helps to develop policy consensus on both national and state issues and works to secure legislation and regulations that are favorable for both agents and companies. Reinforces your company s brand with leading independent agents and brokers Provides networking opportunities with young agents and seasoned industry leaders The annual Big I Legislative Conference & Convention is the premier insurance industry event for agents, brokers, young agents, company executives and industry leaders in Washington, D.C. Attendees benefit from a power-packed line-up, including a legislative issues briefing and breakfast featuring prominent political speakers, a day to lobby on Capitol Hill and a general session, which in previous years has included a carrier CEO panel and a state of the association address. In 2011, we welcomed Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) for the keynote presentation. Companies that sponsor the annual gathering benefit from extensive exposure to the industry s most influential independent agents and brokers. The Big I Legislative Conference & Convention will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, D.C. on the following dates: April 25-27, 2012 and April 17-19,

8 Big I 2012 Company Partnership Opportunities Trusted Choice Agents Council for Technology Per every $ of property-casualty premium written through independent agents:.50 1 $5,000 $450,000 Young Agents InVEST $10,000 $15,000+ $7,500 $14,999 $2,500 $7,499 Council for Best Practices $10,000+ $5,000 $9,999 $2,500 $4,999 $1,000 $2,499 Annual investment opportunities vary by individual company inolvement Future One Annual participation based on earned written premium: $3,000 $6,000 $12,000 $18,000 $24, Big I Legislative Conference & Convention Diversity Task Force $10,000 $20,000 $10,000 $19,999 $3,000 $9,999 Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. 127 South Peyton Street Alexandria, VA