For immediate release …

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007
Contact: Melissa Nazar
or Mary Christiano (800) 424-4244

Industry icons, education
highlight PIWA 2007 Annual Convention

GLENMONT, N.Y.— The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of New York State Inc. will host its 2007 Annual Convention, Nov. 1-2, 2007, at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, N.Y.

"We've brought together a group of industry veterans to offer insight to what the future holds for insurance wholesalers, as well as proposing solutions to help tackle the issues that impact the participants' businesses," said Gary Hollederer, ASLI, president of PIWA. "A wide range of topics that affect the excess and surplus lines industry will be covered. In two days, members will acquire a great deal of information and tools they need to help them successfully run their businesses."

On Thursday, Nov. 1, attendees are invited to take part in the Abe Snyder Memorial Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Snyder was a PIWA president and board member. Nathan Warde, president of U.S. operations for Aspen Specialty, will be the keynote speaker. A pre-dinner reception will be held at 6 p.m.

Friday's events are highlighted by a convention luncheon, featuring a keynote address by Sam Friedman, editor-in-chief, property and casualty edition of the National Underwriter. Friedman has more than 26 years experience at the insurance industry publication. A networking reception will precede the luncheon at 12:30 p.m.

Participants also can attend three programs, which have been approved for New York state continuing education:

• Membership meeting, legislative and regulatory update
  Friday, Nov. 2, 8-8:50 a.m.-Robert Pastel, PIWA's legislative representative, and Daniel F. Maher, Esq., executive director of the Excess Line Association of New York, highlight the current issues for the E&S lines industry. Immediately following the legislative and regulatory update, Steven Nachman, deputy superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department will provide a regulator's view on the current insurance marketplace. Approved for 1 NYCE credit. Applicable to PC, BR, C3 and PA licenses. (NYCR-215277)

• Property/casualty insurance overview and outlook:
  Focus on E&S lines operations
  Friday, Nov. 2, 9-10:40 a.m.-Dr. Steven Weisbart, will share the Insurance Information Institute's overview and forecast for the p/c insurance market, with emphasis on E&S lines. The session will take a look into the future of the market and how it will affect wholesalers' businesses in 2008 and beyond. Approved for 2 NYCE credits. Applicable to PC, BR, C3 and PA licenses. (NYCR-215276) Approved for 2 NJCE credits. (0505768)

• Contingency planning-
  A disaster preparedness panel discussion
  Thursday, Nov. 2, 10:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-This panel discussion, moderated by Joseph Caligiuri, president of Risk Placement Services Inc., will provide insight into developing, implementing and maintaining business disaster plans, as well as strategies to help companies and agents to serve clients even in the toughest of circumstances. Panel members will include: Thomas M. Mannion Jr., area president, Yanoff & Co., a division of Risk Placement Services of NY Inc.; Shawn McGlinchey, CBCP, ARM, assistant vice president of loss control, Harleysville Insurance Cos.; and Louis W. Pietroluongo, deputy superintendent for Frauds and Disaster Preparedness, NYSID.

For more information about the 2007 Annual Convention or to register, contact PIWA's Education & Conference Department at (800) 424-4244, or via e-mail at conferences@pia.org. A registration form also is available here.

Established in 1978, the Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of New York State Inc. is a trade association of New York state insurance wholesalers serving retail insurance producers with specialty and excess lines markets.

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