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Itasca,
Illinois (June 6, 2006) — One month after the Annual
Associated Risk Managers (ARM) Conference, held May 1-4,
2006, organizers are already planning for next year, knowing
that this year's event set new standards. Driven by the
theme, "Connecting Resources," the 2006
ARM Conference set its usual energetic tone and offered
networking opportunities—but delivered real value
in speakers and breakout sessions that explored emerging
business practices.
At the Grand Hyatt on Union Square in San Francisco, ARM’s
Assistant Vice President, Scott Spangler set the group
in forward motion with his opening address on the state
of the industry. Outgoing Chairman Ty Hopkins marked the
end of his two-year term by applauding his most notable
development: The ARM Finance Company (ARMFICO)—in
partnership with Cananwill—which reached $100 million
in premium financed. New branding also helped ARM shift
focus to increasing value to its members. "The more
you put into it, the more you get out of it," Hopkins
advised.
Hopkins' successor, new ARM Chairman Larry Johnson, challenged
the audience to "develop an ARM-first culture where
member agents challenge and hold accountable their State
Executives to be creative and aggressive to build value." In
the upcoming months, Johnson's goal is to build confidence
among members and member agencies that encourages dialog
and shared responsibility.
Following introduction of the new ARM Board (see below),
eight information-packed sessions engaged attendees in Disaster
Planning and Business Continuity Management, Cyber Risk basics,
health care, executive and hospitality opportunities. ARM
members also gleaned valuable tips on worldwide client service,
agency image and marketing strategies. Each presented by
experts in their field, the workshops alone made the conference
a success in increasing competence, confidence, and collaboration.
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Then,
of course, the social events were reason to celebrate.
From a welcome reception with grand city views to a San
Francisco Dinner Bay Cruise, members and their guests shared
good company and new connections. Some went by way of the
Presidio to golf, while others opted for a tour through
Muir Woods, followed by shopping in Sausalito. When ARM
members left at the close of the weekend, they knew they
had arrived at a higher place—with renewed vision
toward more productive business and a bigger, stronger
ARM organization.
ARM is the nation's foremost independent agency network,
encompassing more than 400 agency members and representing
$8+ billion annually in premium volume. The ARM Conference
2007 will be held at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
Dates for mid-April 2007 are currently being negotiated. For
more information, contact Scott Spangler at ARM Partners
(630) 285-4324 (scott_spangler@ajg.com).
ARM Board of Directors 2006-07
Chairman, Region 5: Larry
Johnson
Vice Chairman, Region
3:
Larry McSpadden
Immed.
Past Chairman, Region 4:
Ty Hopkins
Secretary/Treasurer,
Region 2:
Richard Simmons Region 1:
William McClure
Region 1:
Michael Vogt
Region 3:
Craig Payan
Region 3:
John Karle
Region 4:
Brenda Case
Region 5:
Janet Rogers
Region 6: Mike Pierce
Region
7: Brian Roberts
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