WSIA education programs meet members where they need to be in professional development
The organization fosters numerous opportunities to learn about surplus lines topics and trends.
WSIA offers nine in-classroom professional development and technical training programs each year for industry professionals in all stages of their careers. The programs are offered in locations around the country so members can choose the experience that works for them, and they’re designed in a progressive format so they can build upon each other, but members can also jump in and participate in courses when the time is right.
Insurance professionals who are new to the E&S industry, or are early in their careers, might consider introductory-level Excess and Surplus Lines or Underwriting Boot Camp. For industry professionals with multiple years of experience, Marcus Payne Advanced E&S or WSIA University might be the best fit, and Executive Leadership Summit is offered as a capstone program.
“I love hearing members talk about the benefits they receive from participating in various education programs,” said Education Committee Chair Danny Kaufman, president, Burns & Wilcox, and executive vice president and board member, H.W. Kaufman Group. “It’s especially rewarding to hear industry veterans tell us they received valuable knowledge to take back to the office, even after years of experience. Programs like ELS and Surplus Lines Management offer a great experience, in conjunction with the University of Virginia and Emory, for leaders with more industry tenure.”
WSIA University offers a variety of sessions including wholesale and specialty insurance fundamentals, specific property, casualty and executive lines topics and discussion of current issues and trends. Attendees can pick and choose up to four sessions throughout the program to best fit their schedule and training needs. While some sessions are offered annually, new sessions are offered each year so members can select new topics and courses each time they attend.
While strengthening professional development and technical skills are the main reason to attend the programs, networking is another great benefit. “Members sometimes forget that Annual Marketplace and Underwriting Summit aren’t the only WSIA networking events,” said Kaufman. “Education programs are a great place to build relationships and interact with other industry peers and professionals.”
The Collaborative Selling and Negotiations and Leader as Coach programs are the newest offerings in WSIA’s line up. These small-group programs are offered multiple times a year in varying locations to accommodate members. Collaborative Selling and Negotiations, facilitated by Amy Reczek, is a one-and-a-half-day, interactive program designed to enhance customer relationship skills and help anyone who transacts business build lifelong, profitable client relationships. Leader as Coach, facilitated by Elissa Kelly, is a one-day program for formal or informal leaders to learn new leadership methodologies, strengthen coaching skills and build an empowering environment for their teams.
WSIA welcomed Monica McAtee to the team in March as the assistant director of education. Prior to joining the WSIA Team, McAtee led executive development strategy and programs for T-Mobile. Kaufman said that the education committee is excited to have McAtee join the team to build on the success and foundation of the past and bring new ideas to her role and the programs.
In October, WSIA offers four programs simultaneously in Scottsdale, Arizona, so that members have the option to attend more than one while on-site, and in 2024, Excess & Surplus Lines and Advanced E&S will be offered simultaneously in Chicago next June.
“Hosting programs together has been a beneficial move for attendees,” McAtee said. “It allows members the option to consider more than one program in one trip or allows multiple members of a team to travel together so they can participate in the program that makes sense for them, with large-group networking.”
To learn more about these opportunities and register for open programs or add your name to notification lists when upcoming programs launch, visit www.wsia.org.
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