2025 MIAA Annual Convention & Business Meeting

Description

The Maine Insurance Agents Association is pleased to announce that the 126th Annual Convention & Business Meeting will take place Monday & Tuesday, April 7 & 8, 2025 at the DoubleTree Hotel in So Portland, ME. You're invited to attend our annual convention filled with exciting content!  You will be able to network with our fabulous exhibitors, attend the business meeting, learn how to be safe at our Active Shooter Training session, attend the education day and earn CE, have fun at the Company night hospitality suites and more!

We are so excited to welcome you to our annual event! 

 
AGENDA

Monday, April 7th 
Business attire is appropriate

8:00am                  Convention Registration Desk Opens - Coffee available  

8:30am                  Annual Business Meeting:  Nominations Report & Election, State of the Association, Young Agents Update

9:00am                  Superintendent of Insurance, Robert L. "Bob" Carey 

9:30am                  Big I Chairman, Todd Jackson 

10:00am                Defendify - Rob Simopoulos, President/Owner

11:00am                Institute for Insurance Business and Home Safety, Jennifer Gardner, Sr Director Member Engagement

Noon -  1pm          LUNCH      Full Day Registrants Only

1pm - 4pm             Active Shooter Training - Steven Smith of Guardian Defense, Co-Founder/President

4pm - 5pm            Cocktail Reception 

5pm                       Annual Inaugural Banquet honoring incoming Chairman, Peter Clavette, CIC and Chairwoman-elect, 
                              Laurie Noel.  Keynote Speaker former US Navy SEAL, JP Dinnell 

Tuesday, April 8th
^{Business Casual/Casual Attire is Appropriate}

8:30am                       Convention Registration Desk Opens - Continental Breakfast

9am - 3pm                  Education Seminar - Sharon Koches, CPCU
                                   Current & Emerging Insurance Issues - Approved for 5 Maine CECs

Noon – 1pm               Education Luncheon; Open to all Seminar Attendees & Exhibitors

4pm – 6pm                 Young Agents Gala Reception 

5:30pm - 8:30pm        Company Night – Hospitality Suites Open 

8:30pm - 11:30pm      MIAA After Party with Bad Habit - Cash Bar & Complimentary Pizza

NOTE:  Convention registration desk closes at 6pm

Thank you to all of our amazing partners this year.  We so appreciate your continued support.

MONDAY APRIL 7
Business Attire is Appropriate

8:00am - Convention Registration Desk Opens - Coffee available  

8:30am - Annual Business Meeting:  Nominations Report & Election of Officers, State of the Association Address with Ashley 
               Rosborough and Young Agents Committee Chairwoman, Carissa Chipman

9:00am - Superintendent of Insurance, Robert L. "Bob" Carey
 

9:30am - Big I Chairman, Todd Jackson 

10:00am - Defendify - Rob Simopoulos, President/Owner 
                  

Cyber threats continue to evolve and all companies are increasingly targeted by criminal hackers seeking to exploit sensitive customer data and systems.  This informative session will provide insurance agents with a comprehensive overview of today's most pressing cybersecurity challenges, including AI, data extortion, ransomware and social engineering.  Attendees will learn practical strategies to safeguard businesses, protect information and maintain regulatory compliance.  Topics will include implementing effective cybersecurity programs that identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses, training employees to recognize threats and leveraging the latest cybersecurity solutions.


11:00am - Institute for Insurance Business and Home Safety, Jennifer Gardner, Sr Director Member Engagement
                 Turning Science into Solutions to Mitigate Property Risk with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety 

Jennifer Gardner, IBHS Senior Director for Member and Industry Engagement, will provide a background on IBHS research, perils studied, and solutions developed to bend down the loss curve and mitigate avoidable damage from severe weather events. IBHS science delivers resources to help stakeholders understand the drivers of loss from wind, wind-driven rain, hail, and wildfire. IBHS provides science-based solutions to help people reduce their risk and be better prepared for severe weather.

Noon - LUNCH (for full day registrants)

1pm - 4pm - Active Shooter Training - Guardian Defense/Steven Smith, Co-Founder and President

Steven S. Smith, Co-Founder and President, Guardian Defense, is enthusiastic about making a true change in the way workplaces prepare for and respond to active threats. His company, Guardian Defense, offers training and consultation in order to understand the threat, develop a response plan, and have the confidence to act in the event of a violent attack. Steve is also a certified law enforcement officer, serving as a detective with the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Task Force and Team Leader on the SWAT team.  Since founding Guardian Defense in 2013, Steve has unfortunately responded to two active shooter events: the Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting in 2017 and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in 2018. These experiences of a responding SWAT Team Leader provide a unique perspective on how these incidents are managed.

4pm - Cocktail Reception  

5pm   Inauguration Celebration Banquet
                    Honoring Peter Clavette, CIC, Incoming Chairman & Laurie Noel, Chairwoman-Elect
                    Chairwoman Ashley Rosborough of J.T. Rosborough, Inc. presiding 

Peter Clavette, CIC United Insurance - 2025 Chairman

6:45pm        Keynote Speaker former U.S. Navy SEAL, JP Dinnell  

__________________________________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY APRIL 30
Business Casual Attire is Appropriate

8:30am             Convention Registration Desk Opens - Continental Breakfast 

9am - 3pm        Education Day Seminar 

Sharon Koches, CPCU

Current & Emerging Insurance Issues - Approved for 5 MAINE CECs  
Discover how emerging risks like cybersecurity threats, climate change, and social inflation are reshaping the insurance landscape. Gain valuable insights into how these trends are impacting commercial and personal lines coverage and rates, ensuring you stay ahead in today's dynamic insurance landscape.


NOON - 1pm       LUNCH - Open to all seminar attendees & exhibitors


4pm - 6pm           Young Agents Gala Reception - open to registered convention attendees only - complimentary beer & wine 
                            (2 drink tickets) & Hors d'oeuvres

Note: the Convention Registration Desk Closes at 6pm

5:30pm - 8:30pm          COMPANY NIGHT - Hospitality Suites Open

8:30pm - 11:30pm        MIAA After Party with Bad Habit
                                     Cash Bar & Complimentary Pizza Buffet 

MIAA Overnight Room Rate $139.  Hotel cut-off for this rate is March 16, 2025.  Hotel overnight reservations can be made ONLINE here: 

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/pwmmmdt-iaa-b71b6028-106b-4726-b4f6-878dfacc8d54/

If you call to make overnight reservations use code C-iaa - 207.775.6161

No convention refunds will be issued after April 1st, 2025

NON-MEMBERS will be invoiced an additional $100 per registration option.