E-News - April 3, 2007

NAPSLO releases Industry Technology Survey
Results of the technology survey of NAPSLO members conducted by the Communications & Technology Committee in February have been released. Nearly 120 firms responded to the survey and the results are available on NAPSLO's website.

Security, developing web portals, and going paperless were among the top focus areas reported by IT staff for this year. One major change noted in the industry since the last survey in 2003 is the movement by brokers and MGAs toward using third party agency management systems as opposed to in-house programs.

NAPSLO members give Association high ranks
According to a recent survey conducted by the NAPSLO Membership & Ethics Committee, NAPSLO members rated the Association’s overall reputation among the best in the industry. 

The survey asked how NAPSLO compared to other organizations, their member services, and the value of membership. Additional information will be included in the next NAPSLO newsletter. More than 900 people from member firms, committee members, and recent meeting attendees completed the survey.

Annual Convention Off-Site function date changes
Planning is underway for the 2007 NAPSLO Annual Convention, October 3-6 in New Orleans at the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans and there has been a change in the day off-site functions will be allowed.

On- and Off-Site hospitality functions and receptions will be allowed on Friday. On Thursday, all functions and meetings scheduled during the day and in the evening are to be held On-Site at the convention hotels. 

This is a change from previous years in which On- and Off-Site hospitality functions and receptions were allowed on Thursday and only On-site functions were allowed Friday.

Firms who have previously contracted an off-site event on Thursday need to contact Debbie Hill at debbie@napslo.org to make NAPSLO aware of the off-site event.

NAPSLO applauds Senate taking up nonadmitted bill
NAPSLO officials are pleased that a version of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Act of 2007, currently being considered by the House of Representatives, has been introduced into the Senate as S 929.

Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced a version of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Act of 2007 (H.R. 1065 in the House) as part of six bills introduced to address hurricane and other natural disaster issues. S929 may be reintroduced and updated in the next few weeks by the sponsors or other members of the Senate Banking Committee.

NAPSLO officials said they are hoping to see action take place soon on the surplus line reforms and believe there will be wide support for the legislation, noting that NAPSLO and the AAMGA, CIAB, PCIA, IIABA, RIMS, and the RAA had worked together in advocating enactment of this type of legislation.

NAPSLO’s “Day on the Hill”
As part of NAPSLO’s efforts to get the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Act of 2007 passed and also educate Congress about the surplus lines industry, NAPSLO has scheduled a “Day on the Hill” in Washington D.C. on April 23-24 for members of the Legislative Committee, Board of Directors, and any members interested in visiting with their Senators and Representatives.

Any members interested in participating in the "Day on the Hill" should contact the NAPSLO office at (816) 741-3910.

Both sessions of E&S School sell out
Both sessions of the NAPSLO E&S School, set for early June, have sold out. NAPSLO has received more than 170 applications for the 160 spaces in the schools, set for June 9-12 and June 12-15 in St. Louis. This is the first year NAPSLO has offered two sessions.

Upcoming NAPSLO Events 
E&S School (Session 1) June 9-12 - St. Louis, MO (SOLD OUT)
E&S School (Session 2) June 12-15 - St. Louis, MO (SOLD OUT)
2007 Annual Convention - October 3-6 - New Orleans, LA
2007 Advanced School - St. Louis, MO - October 27-30
2008 Mid-Year Workshop - February 20-23 - Scottsdale, AZ