“These educational events are a great venue for students and educators to learn more about the industry, and the ability to make connections between students and employers is invaluable,” said Van Cleave. “Last year the events were attended by more than 500 students from 30 universities.”

The Foundation also supports Gamma Iota Sigma and its annual International Conference. All of these outreach opportunities provide NAPSLO members with access to talent they can recruit in to the E&S industry. Kelley said that the Foundation’s commitment to scholarships and symposiums helps bring NAPSLO’s career development work full circle.

Another important education-related initiative of the Foundation is its support of the Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designation. The ASLI designation program was developed jointly by the Foundation and The Institutes in 1996. Van Cleave said that since the program’s inception more than 2,000 insurance professionals have earned the ASLI designation. To complete the ASLI designation, students must pass exams for five courses on surplus lines insurance-related subjects.

“The ASLI designation offers top-notch continuing education and is highly regarded in the industry. We are pleased to have 94 new designees this year,” said Van Cleave.

Annual special report on sector’s financial condition

While much of the Foundation’s work focuses on students and learning opportunities for them, its support of the A.M. Best Company’s annual “Special Report, U.S. Surplus Lines – Segment Review” is perhaps one of its most widely known initiatives. The report is a study on the state of the surplus lines industry and is made possible through a grant from the Foundation.

Now in its 23rdyear, the report provides A.M. Best’s perspective on the state of the market and the relative positions of carriers in the market. It examines the surplus lines sector’s financial condition and ratings distribution, market trends, regulatory and legislative developments, distribution issues and impairment trends. The report also includes the results of A.M. Best’s survey of surplus lines insurers measuring the proportion of surplus lines premium derived from various distribution channels.

“The A.M. Best report is a very important tool for the industry,” said Kelley. “The long-running partnership of the Foundation’s support and A.M. Best’s expertise produces a highly anticipated document that can help us understand where the industry has been and where it’s headed. We are grateful for the Foundation’s commitment to this study and the information it yields.”

In addition to individual and corporate contributions, the Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament to raise funds to support this work. The Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Golf Invitational is held in conjunction with the NAPSLO Mid-Year Leadership Forum and employees of NAPSLO member firms participate.

“In 2016 the golf event raised about $115,000, and that helps make the Foundation’s ongoing generosity possible,” said Van Cleave. “While the money raised is important, the relationships formed during events like that are also important. We know this business is about relationships and people, and the golf tournament is a perfect embodiment of that as members come together to have serious fun for impactful work.”

To learn more about the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation and its work visit the NAPSLO website.