NAILBA Wraps-up Annual Brokerage Convention

The Brokerage Industry’s Mooers Award Presented, Elects New Officers & Directors;
Foundation Announces Record $3 Million in Donations to 200+ Community Groups Nationwide

ORLANDO, FL – The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) concluded their 37th Annual Meeting (NAILBA 37) on Friday, November 2, where independent life, health, and annuity brokers, brokerage general agencies, C-Suite executives from the nation’s leading insurance carriers and financial services providers, along with industry and business partners from across the insurance industry, gathered to network and discuss the issues, trends, and challenges facing NAILBA members and the wholesale insurance brokerage distribution network.

More than 800 insurance industry professionals, and over 100 corporate and business partners were represented at NAILBA’s Annual Meeting, held this year at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center outside of Orlando, FL. From Wednesday, October 31st through Friday, November 2nd, NAILBA 37 attendees participated in three-days of networking, professional development workshops, educational training sessions, and sharing ideas to the sales and technology trends impacting the brokerage distribution industry.

During the Thursday evening dinner, NAILBA’s 2019 leadership was formally introduced. Jeff Mooers from H.D. Mooers and Company of Lafayette, CA and NAILBA’s 2018 chair, passed the gavel to the Association’s 2019 chair, Myra Palmer with The Palmer Agency of Atlanta, GA. Palmer shared with the audience her vision for NAILBA and why the Association is vital to the success of the insurance marketplace.

Myra Palmer“NAILBA’s Annual Meeting gives us a barometer on the climate and trends of the country’s independent insurance brokerage distribution industry,” said Myra Palmer, president of the Atlanta-based Palmer Agency and NAILBA’s 2019 Chair. “Our annual convention is where brokers and BGA’s come to hear cutting edge perspectives from industry professionals dedicated to providing competitive products for consumers in the insurance marketplace.”

NAILBA’s 2019 officers are:

New Directors elected to the NAILBA Board of Directors are:

Douglas Mooers Award for Excellence

As the Mooers Award Dinner attendees entered the Gaylord’s ballroom, they were greeted with a red-carpet remembrance of Michael TesslerNAILBA past Mooers Award recipients. During the dinner program, NAILBA’s 2017 chairman Jim Sorebo from Four Season Financial Group of Marlton, NJ, presented this year’s Douglas G. Mooers Award for Excellence to former NAILBA chairman Michael Tessler, president of BUI of St. Louis, MO.

For 32 years, the Mooers Awards for Excellence has been presented to an individual in the insurance brokerage distribution industry who has demonstrated dedication and devotion not only to NAILBA, but to the entire brokerage industry. Following Tessler’s award presentation, dinner attendees were entertained by three-time Emmy Award winning comedian, author, and actor, Louie Anderson. Pacific Life continues to sponsor the Mooers Awards Reception and Dinner.

NAILBA Charitable Foundation

NAILBA’s charitable arm shared with NAILBA 37 attendees’ its recent milestones and accomplishments. NAILBA’s Charitable Foundation announced it has raised and distributed more than $3 million in donations distributed to more than 200 community organizations nationwide since the Foundation was established in 2002. During the 2018 fiscal year, NAILBA members and industry partners raised more than $230,000 to over 15 community organizations. NAILBA’s Charitable Foundation elected new officers and board members to begin their two-year term. The Foundation’s new officers are:

  • Robin Landers, President
  • Kathy Carlson, Vice President
  • Barbara Crowley, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Alan Protzel, Immediate Past President (2017-2018)

NAILBA Charitable Foundation President Alan Protzel from The Marketing Alliance of St. Louis, who just completed his two-year term leading the Foundation said, “Regardless of the organization’s size and mission, they all have two things in common; they provide much needed services to the communities they serve, and they have a connection to NAILBA through our charitable foundation.”

Protzel was joined by NAILBA Charitable Foundation Grant Review Committee chairman Chad Milner from the Milner Group of Lawrenceville, GA to announce all the organizations receiving 2018 financial support. A complete list of the 15 community organizations NAILBA’s Charitable Foundation supported this year can be found HERE.

Lou HoltzNAILBA’s Annual Meeting opened with a keynote address from legendary NFL and NCAA Football coach Lou Holtz (sponsored by Symetra). NAILBA 37 attendees also heard closing session speeches from the 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and former Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (Ret.) James T. Conway, and world class speaker, author, and celebrity drummer Mark Schulman (sponsored by Magna Life Settlements) of P!NK, Cher, Foreigner, Billy Idol, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, just to name a few.

“As the insurance industry continues to evolve, so must NAILBA as an association, also our annual meeting,” said Dan LaBert, NAILBA CEO. “Emerging technologies, enduring relationships, and increased sales execution was this year’s annual meeting slogan. Not only does it describe the climate and environment at NAILBA 37, but it equally describes what members, industry leaders, and association partners can expect from NAILBA and our annual meetings in 2019 and the years ahead. NAILBA is the voice of independent brokerage distribution. This is where the brokerage industry meets.”

NAILBA 38

NAILBA’s next annual meeting – NAILBA 38 – will be held beginning Wednesday, November 6th through Friday, November 8th, 2019 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center near Dallas, Texas.

About NAILBA

The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) is the premier insurance industry organization promoting financial security and consumer choice in the insurance and financial services marketplace using America’s independent brokerage distribution channels. NAILBA advocates for America’s life, health, and annuity insurance distributors, and its membership includes more than 300 independent brokerage agencies who produce over $20 billion in annualized premiums.

For more information on the NAILBA Charitable Foundation, please visit www.NAILBACharitableFoundation.org.

Photo highlights from NAILBA 37 are available HERE.