Cara Schoettes, Marketing Director
Last week marked another successful Annual Meeting with Mountain Empire Agency Alliance staff, carriers, and partners. The event served as a catalyst for knowledge-sharing, networking, and fostering new ideas. Here, we will delve into the highlights and key takeaways that we hope ignited a spark of innovation within our organization and beyond.
A Platform for Collaboration and Learning:
The conference provided a platform for insurance industry professionals from diverse backgrounds to converge, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and learning. Attendees included many MEAA member agency owners and staff, carrier representatives from 27 insurance companies, and eight different technology partners. With thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging keynote presentations, participants were immersed in a collaborative environment as we looked at the challenges 2023 will bring and make plans to meet those difficulties head on.
Keynote Presentations That Inspired:
The conference’s keynote presentations were undoubtedly the highlights of the event, providing invaluable insights from esteemed industry leaders. Coach Burt, of Michael Burt Enterprises, fired everyone up on Thursday morning to be the best versions of ourselves. We took an inward look into the energy we bring to this industry and talked about what it takes from us to get the best result possible.
Coach Micheal Burt is considered the leading authority on “activating the PREY DRIVE” in people and teams around the world. Coach Burt defines Prey Drive in this context as “an instinctual ability to see something with the eyes optically or in the mind and have the persistence and intensity to pursue it.”
Based on Micheal’s unique background as a former championship women’s basketball coach combined with his impressive ability to build a “competitive intelligence” in people, the 17X author uses a unique methodology to inner engineer people to compete at the highest levels. Coach Burt goes to work on all four parts of a person’s nature through building specific knowledge for the mind, impeccable skills for the body, intense desire for the heart, and a contagious confidence for the spirit.
Breakout Sessions for Deep Dives:
To cater to the diverse interests and skill sets of attendees, the conference featured a range of breakout sessions. These smaller, focused sessions allowed participants to delve deeply into specific topics, gain practical knowledge, and engage in meaningful discussions with experts in their fields. Some session favorites included an overview of Cyber Insurance, Recruting and Retaining Staff, and using technology to take your agency to the next level. From interactive workshops on emerging technologies to roundtable discussions on industry challenges, these sessions provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to broaden their horizons and refine their professional expertise.
Networking Opportunities That Forge Connections:
Beyond the educational aspect, the conference fostered a vibrant networking environment. Attendees had the chance to connect with like-minded professionals, potential collaborators, and mentors. The golf tournament, the nature exploration outing, meals, breaks between sessions, the networking events, and the evening social activities offered numerous opportunities for individuals to build valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships. The connections forged during the conference hold the promise of future collaborations and ventures that can drive innovation even further.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
As always, this conference would not be possible without some incredible partners. We want to express a large thank you to our Diamond and Dinner Sponsor, Safeco / Liberty Mutual; our Breakfast Sponsor, RT Specialty; our Afternoon Break Sponsor, Celina; our Golf Tournament Sponsor, Travelers; and our Mobile App Sponsor, Foremost.
We also want to thank our additional carrier sponsors – American Modern, AmTrust, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, Builders Mutual, Burns & Wilcox, CRC Group & TAPCO, Donegal Group, Grange, Hagerty, Harford Mutual, The Hartford, Nalico General, National General, Nationwide, Penn National, Risk Placement Services, Southern Mutual Church Insurance, Southern Trust, State Auto, and Stillwater.
Finally, we thank our exhibitors – Applied Systems, Capital Premium Finance, Client Circle, Code & Color, Hawksoft, Lift Local, XDimensional Technologies, and Zywave.
Until Next Year:
Our company’s conference is always sure to be an exciting event that brings together bright minds and industry leaders to explore the realms of innovation. It serves as a catalyst for transformative ideas, fostering collaboration and providing a platform for networking and learning. From captivating keynote presentations to immersive breakout sessions, the conference left an indelible mark on attendees this year, and we hope it inspires them to embrace innovation and explore new possibilities. As we reflect on this memorable event, we look forward to leveraging the energy and knowledge gained to propel our company and industry to new heights of success.
Want to ensure you can attend next year? Become a MEAA partner.