Over 425 IIAN members and company representatives attended IIANs 108th annual convention held at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, October 13-15.  "It was great to see IIAN members from the Omaha area and all over the state at the convention especially all of the young agents and 50 first-timers," commented Mike Jones, CIC of David City, who was elected and installed as IIANs new president during the convention. 

 "Thanks to Annual Convention committee chairperson Lori Ruzicka, CISR, AAI, CIC from Omaha for putting together a successful new program format, and the Young Agents of Omaha, who manned the Young Agents booth throughout the convention.  Selfies were posted throughout the convention on IIANs Facebook page, including one of the entire Awards Dinner crowd taken during IIABA Chairman-Elect Spencer Houldins presentation. 

Following three days of great sessions featuring managing generational issues, online marketing strategies, and CE (including a live risk management tour of the hotel), the convention ended on a high note when IIAN past president Jim Peterson, CIC, of Eagle presented IIANs Spirit of Nebraska award to Ashland native Jeff Raikes, former Microsoft Business Division president and head of the Gates Foundation, in recognition of the Raikes Foundations work to improve educational opportunities for children at risk.

On Tuesday, October 13, over 110 golfers, along with 24 hole sponsors, enjoyed a perfect Nebraska fall day for the 20^th Annual Jay Jacupke Memorial Golf Tournament at Eagle Hills golf course, chaired by past IIAN presidents Mike Glaser and Tom Greco.  The tournament along with a fun Bucket Raffle raised $14,000 to support the Foundations scholarship programs for Nebraska college students

At the convention President's Luncheon on October 15, President Jones talked to IIAN members about his vision for the association and members in the coming year, tied together by one theme: "Influence" - with consumers, the media, our company partners, insurance regulators, and elected officials.  He introduced IIAN's new   initiative to build member awareness and involvement in Big "I" government affairs - the Legislative Advisory Council/Ambassadors programs, and introduced Nebraska Senator Bob Krist (Dist. 10), who wrapped up the luncheon with thoughts on why effective grassroots advocacy is so important to good government, and how IIAN members can be involved.  Sen. Krist drew the lucky winner of the raffle to support Big "I" PAC'S - Dan Keller with Doran Post & Associates, Lexington, won the Samsung curved UltraHD TV

Exhibitor_And_Attendee_Directory.pdf

2015_AnnConv_Program.pdf