Success is something to be celebrated, and the Insurance Advisernet Conference, recently held in Taupo, did just that.
More than 140 Insurance Advisernet brokers, insurers and business partners gathered at the Hilton Hotel for three days to network, share ideas and celebrate the winners of the coveted IANZ awards
The conference commenced with a day’s golfing at Wairakei, which has been designated a wildlife sanctuary.
More than 35 people attended the golf day, sharing the course with deer, pheasants and many other protected birdlife, for a day of fierce competition.
Day two started with an update from Fee Langstone on the upcoming legislation, followed by the trade exhibition show which was well supported by insurer and partner exhibits.
In a change to traditional conferencing, the exhibition was for an extended period of three hours, giving delegates meaningful time with all exhibitors, allowing more in-depth discussions and demonstrations of new products and initiatives.
The afternoon then progressed in to what has been hailed as the most daring team-building event ever hosted by IANZ, with 11 teams prepping for a Soul Train lip-sync battle, which was showcased later that night.
The feedback from insurers and delegates alike was unanimous, as evidenced by Debbie Mayo-Smith’s (Successis) comments. “I know it’s strange to hear this from a speaker, but I swear I had the best time I’ve ever had at any conference I’ve been to. Everyone was so warm and friendly. The Tuesday night event was out of this world – oh my goodness.”
Day three was led by Shaun Standfield (Managing Director IA), sharing the vision for Insurance Advisernet both in Australia and New Zealand and giving an overview of both markets. This was followed by Peter Baines from Hands Across the Water, Debbie Mayo-Smith from Successis and finally Simon van Velthooven from Emirates Team New Zealand. A day full of great speakers, filled with emotion, thought-provoking innovation and pride in what a small country like New Zealand can achieve on the world stage.
The finale was the black-tie gala dinner and awards, held at the Great Lake Convention Centre, where everyone gathered to celebrate with the winners of the 2017 IANZ awards.
The Broker of the Year award was won by Donaldson Brown Insurance Brokers, with the inaugural emerging broker of the year won by James McCarthy of Guardian Insurance Brokers. The all-round “good guy” award went to David Burroughs for his unselfish contribution to the group.
David Crawford acknowledged and thanked insurer partners for their commitment to Insurance Advisernet at the gala dinner. “We appreciate the support our insurer partners give us, both during the year and at events like our annual conference. “
Delta Insurance was named insurer of the year and Dinesh Murali was insurance person of the year.
