Education, service frame conversations during IASA 2018
Dr. Jill Biden challenged insurance professionals to 'make a difference where you are, how you can.'
During such demanding events as hurricanes or catastrophic flooding, it can be easy for insurance professionals to lose sight of the very human mission at the heart of their work: Helping individuals, families and businesses pick up the pieces, rebuild and move forward.
That made Former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s message on Monday during the first keynote session at the 90th Annual Educational Conference and Business Show for the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association, Inc. (IASA) especially apropos.
“We all have a calling to make a difference where we are,” Biden said from a banquet room stage at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. “We must dare to be powerful, even when we’re afraid.”
Biden is a longtime English and literacy educator who completed her professional degrees while raising three children and supporting her husband, Joe Biden, through many years in the U.S. Senate and ultimately his stint as the 47th Vice President of the United States. She found her calling working largely with nontraditional community college students — including veterans returning home from service, working mothers, recent immigrants and refugees — and maintained a position as an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College while also serving as Second Lady.
She said it was that work, as well as weathering personal losses, that showed her “the power of one person to make a difference in someone’s life,” and that “just a little bit of help” can go a long way toward lifting up someone who is struggling. She also impressed upon the audience to dedicate themselves to lifelong learning in order to be the best professionals — and the best people — that they can be.
“Your voice can change the conversation,” Biden said, “but you have to be courageous enough to use it.”
‘Power Up’
The message mirrored the challenge and conference theme outlined by IASA leaders, who regularly dared this year’s attendees to “Power Up!” their skills and professional experience.
IASA’s mission is to provide education and information that makes the jobs of insurance professionals easier and more efficient. “The more individuals we help, the more we are living up to our mission,” IASA Executive Director Joseph Pomilia said during remarks before Biden took the stage.
This year’s show includes a virtual conference with sessions and speakers recorded for attendees to review and for those who were unable attend.
The learning and networking continues even after this year’s conference wraps up, as IASA regularly hosts e-learning webinars. Two such webinars coming up include one on June 21 focused on successful insurance innovation and automation initiatives and another on July 10 that’s dedicated to U.S. tax reform.
It follows that when asked to reflect on her time as IASA president, Celeska Fredianelli said: “IASA has provided me with more education and contacts than any other position or classroom.”
More than 170 exhibiting companies joined 1,700 attendees for IASA 2018, according to event organizers. The next IASA Annual Conference is set for June 2-5, 2019, in Phoenix.
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