NJ Agents Conference October 23-25, 2022 | ICONA Hotel Avalon
Get ready to reconnect! We are thrilled to welcome you back to the first in-person NJ Agents Conference in two years. As always, you can expect great information and great conversation. We cannot wait to see every one of you this October.
To nominate an individual for a 2022 Award, please click here. Additional details about the awards, including eligibility may be found below.
October 23
Tee times will be available for individuals interested in golfing prior to the evening's activities. Details forthcoming.
3:30 - 6:30 pm | Registration Open
Registration will be held in the hotel lobby where guests will receive a wristband to enjoy cocktails and football in the Brew Pub. Cabanas will be open weather permitting.
6:30 - 9:30 pm | Opening Night Reception
Sponsored by Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
Coming in on Sunday night? Make sure to join us for cocktails and conversation on the beautiful Veranda. There's no better way to reconnect with friends and colleagues then by toasting the start of our 2022 in-person event!
9:30 - 11:30 pm | The After Party
Sponsored by Cumberland Mutual
It may have been a couple years, but who can forget the YAC After Party?! It's one of the highlights of the conference! Immediately following the Opening Reception, join us in the Brew Pub to keep the party going.
OCTOBER 24
8:00 - 10:00 am | CE Course, Topic TBA
Sponsored by InsurBanc
10:15 - 10:45 am | Champagne Brunch
10:45 am - 1:00 pm | General SessionBusiness Meeting
Chairman Hal Soden, Jr. will lead the 2022 business meeting where he will provide an overview of the state of the association, introduce recommended bylaw amendments for vote, announce the Chairman citations, and present our 2022 award winners (see below for nomination information).
The New Face of Hiring - How the Pandemic Shaped Employee Recruitment
Before the pandemic, business leaders preoccupied themselves with finding and inspiring the right talent needed to build their corporate brand and success. Fast forward to today, and those same leaders face those same challenges with the added complication of a tight labor market, skyrocketing compensation demands, and pressure to offer hybrid or remote work options. Things are rough.
In this session, Claudia St. John, president of Affinity HR Group, will discuss the most current labor trends, present strategies for hiring exceptional talent in a virtual environment and highlight ways to ensure attendees don't fall victim to the Big Quit and its nefarious cousin, the Bored-Out.
Joining Claudia are Big I NJ member agents who have experienced various challenge with recent hiring from in-office staff to remote employees.
Catalyit
Steve Anderson, the industry's leading tech guru and CEO of Catalyit will take the stage to share his take on the industry's biggest tech revolution - Catalyit - and what it means for the independent agency system.
State of the State
Hear from Bob Fee, IIABA Chairman, as he presents the annual state of the state.
1:15 - 2:15 pm | Break-Out Session
WWTLD - Lessons on Leadership from Coach Ted Lasso
Presented by Claudia St. John, president of Affinity HR Group
Global health pandemic. Political upheaval. Global climate change. Threat of war. Given all the emotionally challenging aspects of life today, who doesn't need a little TV escape from time to time. And, what better antidote to what ails us than Ted Lasso, a charming story about a quirky coach and his odd-ball soccer team. But, make no mistake, this is not escapism. Within this unassuming show are powerful lessons for managers and leaders alike. From inspiring belief in oneself to fostering team cohesiveness, Ted Lasso has something to teach us all.
In this session, Claudia St. John will discuss this popular TV from a leadership and behavioural science perspective with an eye toward giving leaders practical, actionable people management strategies so that they will know during difficult situations how to answer the question, "what would Ted Lasso do?"
1:15 - 2:15 pm | Break-Out Session
What's Next? Tech Trends that will Transform Insurance and Your Agency
Presented by Steve Anderson, Catalyit
Insurance technology expert Steve Anderson discusses the latest technology and trends that are changing how agencies operate. Find out about specific technologies and innovations that can generate real value for your agency and clients like Carrier Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Keeping up with technology is a key to maximizing your customer experience. Steve will tell you which technologies to use and how to use them. You will also learn more about Catalyit – your new Big “I" go-to technology resource for independent insurance agencies. Catalyit helps agencies discover, evaluate, select, and implement the best technology for their organizations.
2:30 - 5:00 pm
- Picture Scavenger Hunt
- Hospitality Suites
7:00 - 11:30 pm | Cocktail Reception, Installation Celebration and Casino Party
Sponsored by IIANJ Marketing Programs
We'll keep the food and drinks flowing as we raise a glass to our incredible board of directors. This year's installation of the new board, and incoming Chairman Chris O'Neill will round out the evening as we reflect on how wonderful it has been to reconnect over the past day-and-a-half. Following the board installation, try your luck at our casino gaming room!
OCTOBER 25
7:30 - 9:30 am | Coffee Bar
Grab your coffee before you hit the road in the lobby outside of Shimmers Bistro.
Pricing
Early Bird (through August 31) Regular
Member/Sponsor: $235 Member/Sponsor: $270
Non-Member: $400 Non-Member: $460
A la carte package options, as well as additional registrant and spouse fees are available on the registration forms.
Register Online Download Registration Form
hotel
ICONA Hotel Avalon
7849 Dune Drive | Avalon, NJ 08202
609-368-5155
Room Rate: $165
Group Name: Big I NJ
Online Reservations
AWARD NOMINATIONS
Award nominations are currently open for 2022.
To nominate an individual for any of the below awards, click here.
Upon receipt, we will notify your nominee and provide the required nomination materials. All completed nominations forms need to be received by August 15th. Self-nominations are welcome.
Henry A. Franz Insurance Person of the Year Award
Established by the IIA of Passaic County and dedicated to the memory of Henry A. Franz, past president, this award is presented to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the health and advancement of the insurance industry.
Richard Hardenbergh Community Service Award
Presented in memory of Richard Hardenbergh, former Big I New Jersey leader and dedicated community volunteer, the recipient of this award is an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community on a voluntary basis. Nominee must live in New Jersey and be involved in the NJ insurance industry.
Cherize M. Gonzalez Young Agent of the Year Award
This award is presented to a young agent who has demonstrated service to his or her agency, professional trade association, and community.
James F. Anthony Scholarship
Created in 1995, the $1,000 scholarship is given in memory of James F. Anthony, a devoted friend to Big I NJ. The scholarship is bestowed annually to a deserving high school senior seeking further education who has demonstrated excellence in scholastic, extra curricular, and community activities.
