Message from the President

The term “value-added” can be applied to a variety of things, including participation in professional organizations like the Insurance Conference Planners Association. What do ICPA members get in return for their involvement? Education, camaraderie, a common sense of purpose, networking, and opportunities to gain new insights into long-established practices are just some of the opportunities — but we must be proactive in order to turn these opportunities into value-added benefits.

One benefit is education. Research shows that education is the primary reason people belong to associations. Of course ICPA has its annual meeting, but there are other association meetings that also help to foster educational advancement. The Educational Forum, for example, has become a true value-added benefit to membership.

There are also regional chapter meetings that enable members to participate and learn on a more localized basis. All of these meetings offer ICPA members continued opportunities to increase their knowledge base and provide more services to their companies or organizations.

The Educational Forum this year will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, July 18 to 20. Limited to 60 participants, the Forum provides enhanced one-on-one networking for ICPA members and Forum sponsors. Developed over the years under the leadership of Mauna Hatchett, CMP, recently retired from Indianapolis Life, the Forum has taken educational opportunities to new levels. Our current Vice President of Education Gary Pearson, CMP, Aon Service Corp., and his design team have accepted the challenge of creating and implementing this year's Forum. From what I have seen, the program will be outstanding. (Turn to page 26 for a more detailed itinerary.)

The regional chapter meetings offer plenty of local color, cater to chapter members, and give local hospitality partners the chance to showcase their products. This year the Great Lakes Chapter meeting, spearheaded by Jerry Schmidt, CMP, Trustmark Insurance, will be held August 18 to 20 at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago. The Canadian Chapter, organized by Barb Giesbrecht, Great-West Life and her team, will be held August 24 to 25 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

The Forum and the regional chapter meetings are designed with education in mind, but there are also hidden benefits to attending these annual events. Networking in a smaller and more intimate environment gives all of the participants the chance to meet new people, share ideas, and discover new potential meeting destinations. These meetings also give those who are unable to attend the annual meeting the chance to expand their horizons and grow both as a person and a professional.

I strongly encourage all members to consider attending the Forum and regional chapter meetings. The lessons learned can be a priceless value-added benefit of membership.
Brett Barrowman
American Fidelity Group

ICPA 2002 Meetings and Chapter Contacts

Summer Educational Forum — July 18 to 20, Fairmont San Francisco. Contact: ICPA headquarters, (604) 988-2054, icpa_karen@telus.net

The Great-Lakes Regional Chapter Meeting — August 18 to 20, The Renaissance Chicago. Contact: Jerry Schmidt, CMP, Trustmark Insurance; (847) 283-4126, jschmidt@trustmarkins.com

The Canadian Regional Chapter Meeting — August 24 to 25, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa, Ont., Canada. Contact: Barb Giesbrecht, Great-West Life; (204) 946-7465, blgi@gwl.ca

ICPA Annual Meeting — November 3 to 7, The Westin Seattle. Online registration and program information will be available on the Web at www.icpanet.com.

Contact: ICPA headquarters, (604) 988-2054, icpa_karen@telus.net

Additional contacts: The North East Regional Chapter — Contact: Karyn Rizzo, Sun Life Financial; (781) 446-3273, karyn_rizzo@sunlife.com

The Midwest Regional Chapter — Contact: David Bloyd, CMP Physicians Mutual; (402) 633-1182, dbloydpmic@aol.com

The West Coast Regional Chapter — Contact: Ken Pickle, CPCU, CMP, Safeco; (206) 545-5852, kenpic@safeco.com

Educational Forum Program

ICPA's summer Educational Forum, July 18 to 20 at the Fairmont San Francisco, is open to all meeting planners involved in the insurance or financial services industry. Registration, limited to 60 planners with priority given to ICPA members, will be $250 U.S. for ICPA members, $325 for nonmembers, and $150 for spouses/guests. A room rate of $149 plus 14 percent tax is being offered through ICPA. To register go to www.icpanet.com or call Karen or Helen at ICPA headquarters, (604) 988-2054 or email icpa_karen@telus.net or icpa_helen@telus.net.

Program highlights include:

  • Travel Safety and Security

  • Webcasting/Videoconferencing-Alternative Methods of Meeting Delivery

  • CMP and CMM designations — how and why you should challenge yourself to attain them

  • The Exchange — ICPA's trademark, closed-door networking session

  • Economics Trends of Today — tips on providing quality meetings at a reduced cost

  • Roundtable discussions on topics that will include incentives and sales contests; update on NASD (National Association of Security Dealers) regulations; conference packaging; hotel and destination management company contract trends as a result of 9/11; budget preparation; what is expected from planners and hospitality partners on fam (familiarization) trips; and business etiquette.



All airport/hotel ground transfers and audiovisual equipment sponsored by PGI; all breaks sponsored by CTC, Rare Indigo, and JPdL.

FORUM ITINERARY:

July 18

9 A.M.-12 P.M.

Registration at ICPA Hospitality Desk, Fairmont San Francisco, sponsored by Landrey & Kling; registration refreshments sponsored by Fairmont San Francisco

1 P.M.-5 P.M.

  • CMP and CMM
  • Roundtable discussions


6:30 P.M.-9:30 P.M.

Reception and dinner at the Westin St. Francis, sponsored by Starwood Hotels & Resorts

July 19

7:45 A.M.-8:45 A.M.

Buffet breakfast sponsored by Krisam Group

8:45 A.M.-11:45 A.M.

  • Travel Safety and Security
  • Roundtable discussions


12-1 P.M.

Lunch sponsored by the Four Seasons Hotel

1:15 P.M.-4:45 P.M.

  • Economic Trends of Today
  • Roundtable discussions


7 P.M.-10 P.M.

Reception, dinner, and evening sponsored by Fairmont San Francisco with entertainment sponsored by Mana, Allison & Associates

July 20

8 A.M.

Buffet breakfast, sponsored by Hinton & Grusich

9-11:30 A.M.

  • Virtually There
  • Roundtable discussions
  • Meeting adjourned


Post-Forum Options

Lunch and city tour
Beach Blanket Babylon Theatre