In order to examine the current state of our industry and how it will change in the future, the AAMGA chartered a committee of industry thought leaders who will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss trends and opportunities. Some of the initiatives being examined and discussed are:

• How will insurance products and services be distributed in the next 10 years;
• What insurance products and services will consumers and producers be interested in;
• How will the dynamics of the market change;
• How can wholesale insurance agents become more competitive and obtain a greater edge;
• How will current regulatory and compliance issues reshape the way in which business is done;
• What can the AAMGA do to help educate, retool and retrench the inherent value of managing general agents and other Association members to fully maximize the potential and value proposition;
• How will the continued globalization of risk and insurance products impact US MGA’s and coverholders of binding authorities;
• What will the alternative market look like in the next 10 years;
• What can the Association and members do to interest high school and college students on the benefits of a career in the insurance profession.

This special group’s opinions and conclusions will be shared with all AAMGA members in the Association’s publications and meetings. These findings will also enable Association members to look at their own marketing, services and products and adapt to market and consumer change as warranted.

At present, the 2017 Group is comprised of the following industry experts:

• Tom Albrecht: Southern Insurance Underwriters
• Scott Anderson: Concorde General Agency
• Robert Fullwider: Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America
• John Hayden: American Modern Insurance Group
• Chris Jameson: Max Specialty Insurance Company
• John Latham: Markel Corporation

For more information on the Vision 2017 Project, please contact Bernd Heinze.