Program Information 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Symposium
7:00 am - 8:45 am
Registration and Breakfast
8:45 am - 12:00 pm
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Breakout sessions
Choose from a variety of workshop sessions focusing on employee benefit issues including HIPAA, COBRA, HSAs, Flex Plans, and Wellness Programs. Please see www.ahia.net for a complete session listing.
Noon - 1:30 pm
AHIA Luncheon Presentation: When Everything Goes WRONG!
A dramatic presentation of an HR/Benefits department at its worst! Come to enjoy lunch, have a few laughs and see what can go wrong in the world of employee benefits.
Sponsored by Guardian Life Insurance Company
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Breakout sessions
More employee benefit workshops will be offered during this afternoon session.
4:30 pm- 6:00 pm
AHIA Wine and Cheese Reception
Join the speakers and panelists, as well as your fellow attendees from the Employee Benefits Educational Symposium to enjoy time for refreshments and networking.
Sponsored by The Standard
7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
C. Carney Smith Reception and Dinner
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Symposium
7:30 am - 8:30 am
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Symposium Breakfast
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente
8:00 am - Noon
AHIA Employee Benefits Educational Symposium: Expert Panels
Join us for two expert panels; "Building Your Agency" puts the focus on alliance building, cross-selling life and employee benefits, and handling transitions such as retirement. "Meeting Expectations" will address agent expectations from the viewpoint of different carriers and advisor influences. A legislative update and discussion on the state of health reform on the federal and state levels will be included.
Sponsored by United Healthcare
NAIFA Convention and Career Conference
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Registration Open
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
First Timers Orientation
How can a first timer jump into the Convention like an old pro? By learning from the old pros themselves! NAIFA President Jeff Taggart welcomes all first timers to the Convention at this special event.
Featuring: Phil Richards, CLU, CFP, RHU
2007 Recipient John Newton Russell Memorial Award
3:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Legislative Forum / Town Hall Meeting
Advocacy is always a primary concern for NAIFA, and this briefing from the NAIFA Government Relations will highlight the legislative and regulatory successes achieved during the past year and outline the challenges still threatening your clients, your industry and you. The second half of the session is all about NAIFA. Review the scheduled bylaws amendments and take part in a question and answer session with NAIFA leadership.
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
YAT Meet & Greet
If you’re 40 or under or in your first five years in the business, join YAT leaders and your peers for networking and refreshments! Sponsored by the Young Advisors Team.
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
LILI Alumni Reception
Network, share and celebrate at this opening event reserved for LILI graduates and current students as an opportunity to share how the LILI experience has impacted local associations and individuals throughout the federation. Light refreshments and a cash bar are provided. One guest per LILI student/graduate permitted.
Advance registration required.
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Convention Welcome Party and Show
Featuring: Papa Doo Run Run
Surf’s up! Formed in 1965, the now legendary California band, Papa Doo Run Run, quickly discovered their forte – they sounded like the Beach Boys! That sound led them to a decades long career as opening act and back-up band for Jan & Dean, touring with the Beach Boys, their own gold records and a Grammy nomination. Papa Doo Run Run is sure to deliver the classic rockin’ beach party tunes you know and love.
Attendance is complimentary as part of your convention registration and for your registered spouse or guests.
Your registration badge is your ticket.
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Registration Open
8:30 am – 11:00 am
Opening General Session
Featuring: Peter Sheahan
Peter Sheahan is a globally recognized expert in workforce trends and generational change. He will help you explore the most influential consumer and employee group in the world today - Generation Y - the upwardly mobile generation born between 1978 and 1994. You will gain a deep understanding of the mindsets that drive their behavior so you can better attract, manage and engage this generation both as customers and as staff.
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
NAIFA Expo & Complimentary Lunch
Come to the Expo Hall to see the latest products and services to help your bottom line, and enjoy a complimentary lunch for all registered attendees
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
Role of the National Committee Person
NAIFA’s strength comes from members like you. And, NAIFA’s strength comes from leaders like you. Find out more about what it takes to be a national committee person from experienced NAIFA leaders.
2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Educational Workshops
Select from a variety of workshop sessions focusing on life insurance & annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, financial advising and investments, and multiline. There will also be sessions for association leadership best practices, young advisors, and more! Go to www.naifa.org/convention to learn more.
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Educational Workshops
More of the Educational Workshops that help make the conference so valuable. Go to www.naifa.org/convention to learn more.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
YAT Legislative Forum
This forum is especially for young advisors to learn more about advocacy, the political process and how it affects the industry and your business.
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
New England Forum Bisque Reception
Enjoy a taste of New England at the New England Bisque.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
13th Annual realLIFEstories Gala Award Banquet
Every day, professionals all over America make a huge difference in the lives of their clients. That makes for a lot of great stories. Once again, Newsweek magazine and LIFE have teamed up to share the best stories that illustrate the benefits of life, health, disability income and long-term care insurance and the value-added role of the insurance professional. Meet the clients and hear the stories that are sure to tug at your heartstrings and remind you of the good we do daily for millions of families and businesses. Get your ticket now for the most talked-about event of the NAIFA Convention!
Advance ticket required.
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Trailblazers’ Breakfast
Very few insurance professionals can claim to have been in this business for 40 or more years. But that’s what it takes to gain entry to this special complimentary breakfast. If you qualify, come get your fill of stories, camaraderie and enduring friendships. The Trailblazers’ Breakfast is as special as you are.
7:00 am – 8:15 am
Spouse/Guest Breakfast Program
Featuring: LaDonna Gatlin
LaDonna Gatlin knows firsthand that we can’t live someone else’s dream—in order to be our personal best, we must find our own voice and “sing our own song.” She literally grew up on stage singing with her brothers--the legendary Gatlin Brothers. In the early 1970’s the Gatlins took their family harmony to Nashville. But a detour appeared on the road to stardom-- LaDonna got married. At this defining moment, she took a giant leap of faith, chose to follow her heart, and “sing a different song” apart from her brothers.
She has spent her entire career empowering people to “sing their own song” as well…to live life from the inside out…through their words, their deeds, and their actions. LaDonna has recorded 4 solo CD’s and is a contributing author to the best-selling book series Chicken Soup for the Soul. This breakfast is complimentary for all registered spouse/guests. Registered convention attendees may purchase tickets for this event.
8:30 am – 11:00 am
General Session
Featuring: Scott Waddle
Cmdr. Scott Waddle (Ret.) is a distinguished leader and a man of uncompromising ethical standards. Waddle was the commander of the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville when it collided with a Japanese fishing boat in February 2001. The tragedy made international headlines. Against the advice of his lawyer ... against the direction of the Navy ... Waddle followed his conscience and took complete responsibility for his actions. The support of his family and his steadfast faith in God strengthened him through his horrible ordeal. And his deep remorse compelled him to offer a sincere apology to the victims' families. Waddle's pursuit of integrity against all odds provides an inspiring challenge to anyone facing difficult choices in life.
MDRT Hour
NAIFA is about bottom-line benefits for its members. And there is nothing more valuable than practical sales information from some of the most successful professionals in the industry. The MDRT Hour is an annual event at the NAIFA Convention and a sure crowd-pleaser.
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
NAIFA Expo & Complimentary Lunch
Come to the Expo Hall to see the latest products and services to help your bottom line, and enjoy a complimentary lunch for all registered attendees
11:30 am – 2:00 pm
AHIA Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Featuring: Roger Schultz, CLU
“Building a Million Dollar Practice.”
Roger Schultz is a national speaker and trainer on employee benefits and has published more than 50 articles on the subject. He is the founder of the nation’s first administrator of direct reimbursement plans for dental and vision care, a model now used by more than 3,000 employers. Schultz established 250 direct reimbursements plans covering 200,000 participants in 21 states. As a practical expert in the highly complex and competitive field of employee benefits, Schultz helps other agents develop innovative services, products and concepts.
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
So You Want to Be a Trustee
Your commitment and dedication to NAIFA has reached the point where you might want to consider becoming a member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees. Find out more about what’s involved and how the process works at this informative session.
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
YAT Roundtable Discussion
Young advisors and those in their first five years in the business share what’s going on in your state and local groups, get ideas to take home and learn some best practices.
2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
State Assemblies
National Council delegates get the chance to meet the candidates to serve as NAIFA’s Secretary and Trustees.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
YAT Legislative Reception
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Company Dinners
Check with your company to see if they are one of the many hosting dinners.
NEW! Independent Advisor Networking Dinner
Advance ticket required.
Company dinners are a popular event for many convention attendees. Independent advisors now have a dinner of their own. Join your fellow advisors for a casual dinner and social event.
Sponsored by NAILBA-National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies
9:30 pm –
YAT Happy Hour
The 40 and under crowd is invited for a special off-site happy hour sponsored by the Young Advisors Team.
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open
8:30 am – 11:00 am
General Session
Featuring: Jeff Thredgold
Economic futurist, Jeff Thredgold will lead you on a slightly irreverent, up-to-the-minute "tour" of the economy, financial markets, education, government, and a sneak preview of the future. In a world of constant change and a nation facing an approaching election, Thredgold’s insights will give you a glimpse at the issues that will shape our lives and careers.
Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn is a national recognized expert on public affairs. He will show you how NAIFA and your state association can how to exercise political power through grassroots programs like IFAPAC and APIC. Dunn relies upon a strong political science background, practical work experience in the U.S. Congress and years of consulting with major corporations and national associations to deliver valuable information to help you and NAIFA to have a strong presence in the political arena.
11:15 am – 12:30 pm
YAT Legislative Forum
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Workshops
More with Jeff Thredgold
Here is your opportunity to get more in depth information from economic futurist Jeff Thredgold. In the longer workshop session, Thredgold will expand upon his keynote address with particular attention to the upcoming election and what it will mean for the economy and for you in the months and years ahead.
How To Make Your PAC and PIC More Effective
The NAIFA Government Relations team leads an exchange of ideas on how to improve your efforts at fundraising and political involvement.
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
LILI 7 Alumni Workshop
“Commanding Leadership – It’s All About T.E.A.M.”
Featuring: Scott Waddle
An inspirational leader with uncompromising ethical standards, Cmdr. Scott Waddle (Ret.) graduated at the top of his class at Annapolis. At the age of 38, he was selected from a highly competitive field of specially trained and exceptionally skilled naval officers to become the Commanding Officer of the USS Greeneville. The challenges faced were staggering with extremely low morale and unacceptably high turnover. Few thought that this ship could improve, but Waddle only became more resolved. Join LILI graduates from across the country as he shares his challenges and experience in leadership. Through a platform presentation and table discussions you will learn leadership lessons that are applicable in personal, professional and public life. Sponsored by the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) and reserved for LILI alumni and current students.
Advance registration and ticket required.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
John Newton Russell Memorial Award Dinner & Show
There is no higher honor in the insurance industry than to be recognized with the John Newton Russell Memorial Award. Discover and pay tribute to the 2008 John Newton Russell Memorial Award recipient at this dinner.
Featuring: Michael & Amy – Dueling Pianos Live from New York
Four hands… Two voices… One brain!
Michael and Amy deliver a family friendly blend of song and comedy. One moment you’ll be singing at the top of your lungs, the next doubled over in laughter, and then… breathless. Always funny. Always exciting. Michael and Amy masterfully combine an eclectic mix of musical genres with humor and personal charisma. You won’t want to miss it.
Advance ticket required.
6:30 am – 8:30 am
State Association Breakfasts
8:30 am – 11:30 am
General Session
Featuring:
National Council votes for officers and trustees as well as NAIFA Bylaws amendments.
Mike Rayburn
You hear it all the time, “We need to think outside the box.” Well, how exactly do you do that? Mike Rayburn will show you how. This will be unlike any presentation you’ve ever experienced. Rayburn is both a world-class guitarist and a stand-up comedian. He is also an authority on personal development and human potential. Rayburn will show you the three simple tools that took him from playing for seven people in a bar in Virginia to standing ovations at Carnegie Hall. Oh, and you’ll laugh so hard it hurts!
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