IIABW's GO BIG Conference was held in Bellevue last week. We had a sold-out tradeshow, sold-out hotel and a great turnout. Both candidates for insurance commissioner shared their vision for the OIC. Consultant MarshBerry and carrier executives discussed the current and future market. Agencies shared innovative initiatives. And there was plenty of time to have fun and network. To view pictures from the event, click here. 

IIABW President Ryan Porter of Porter Whidbey Insurance was the master of ceremonies and at the end of the conference handed over the leadership of the association to President Craig Field of Mitchell Reed & Schmitten Insurance in Wenatchee, President-elect Reid Ekberg of Pilkey Hopping and Ekberg and Secretary/Treasurer Nick Brewe of Assured Partners in Redmond.

IIABW presented the following awards: 

• Young Agent of the Year: Hans Eskelsen of WAFD
• Industry Person of the Year: Kristen Horlacher of Superior Underwriters
• Agent of the Year: Nancy Gregory of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Spokane
• Don C. Burnam Lifetime Achievement: Rob Tripple of Tripple, Tripple and Tripple

Thank you to our conference sponsors: 

• Title Sponsor: Safeco/Liberty Mutual
• Platinum Sponsor: Capital Premium Financing, Imperial PFS, Progressive Insurance
• Premier Sponsor: First Insurance Funding, Grange Insurance Association, National General, An Allstate Company, Travelers, Western National
• Major Sponsor: Honeycomb Insurance, Oregon Mutual Insurance Co., Mutual of Enumclaw
• Supporting Sponsor: Superior Underwriters, Red Shield Insurance Company
• Contributing Sponsor: Alliant Insurance Services, Berkley North Pacific Group, Imperial PFS, Iroquois Group, PIU, Safelite Auto Glass, Tokio Marine Highland, XPT Specialty