There were just under 200 attendees from OH, MI, IN, & KY.   

IPOCO attendees included:  myself as your delegate, as our President was ill & could not attend…

Vikki Angelo

Michelle Ackermann

Kon Chittavong

Angie Schmitt

Pat Parry

Pat Johnson 

It was also a great honor to have the NAIW International president, Jenelle Duffy attend the Region 4 conference as the national rep. 

We attended the business meetings, CWC speak-off,  & various excellent educational workshops, & CE courses (included in the registration cost)  There was some free time to check out the Somerset Mall across the street, which of course, I had to do!  The fun activity Fri night was a bus trip to Greektown in downtown Detroit for wonderful Greek cuisine & gambling at the Casino.  Vikki won $60.  Back at the hotel, we had late night desserts with the exhibitors.  Sat was another business meeting & classes.  Sat night was the banquet & Sunday morning final drawings & back home.  I won $88 in a 50/50 raffle.  Kon won $50 from one of the exhibitors.  Our own Pat Johnson was the Loyalty award winner of the Region 4 triangle awards from the RVP.

At  the conference a committee was formed to find a sponsor for the new Region 4 “Client Service Professional of the Year Award” and prepare a bylaw for the bylaws committee to present next year to vote on.  If passed the first award would be presented in 2011.   

Next year’s conference will be hosted by the Ins Women of Akron.  I encourage you to attend.  The networking opportunities & educational classes are great…plus meeting old friends & making new ones is an added bonus.  It really helps give you the bigger picture of what NAIW is all about.  Even if your employer doesn’t cover any of the costs, it’s worth the personal investment.  To save money, be sure to register for the early bird deadline, & perhaps share driving & room costs with others that are going.   

If you want to start out on a smaller level, attend an OH Council meeting.  There are 2 per year (usually May-education & Nov-legislation).  The next one is Education Day, May 1^st& 2^nd in Fairborn, OH (outside of Dayton).   Cost is only $35.  The April 8^th deadline has been extended, so you should still be able to get in.  Go to the OH Council website to get a copy of the registration form.  Don’t hesitate to ask if you are looking for a room-mate or travel buddy.   

Region 4 Networking weekend is held annually usually in Aug or Sept.  This year’s is hosted by our friends, the Scioto Valley Association of Insurance Professionals in Chillicothe.  This is a fun event (no business meetings) with plenty to see & do, August 21-23.  If you’ve never seen the outdoor drama, Tecumseh, this is a perfect opportunity.  Bring your family/friends.  Again, the registration form is on the OH Council website.   

The final event for this fiscal year, is the annual National Convention in New Orleans, May 27^th-31^st.  You might want to take a few extra days before the Convention to do some site seeing on your own, as that is Memorial Day week, so you get a freebie vacation day.  Start checking for cheap flights now.  The caliber of the speakers & education offered at National is outstanding. 

President-Elect