The keynote speakers for the general sessions of the 2008 NAIFA Convention and Career Conference, September 6-10 in San Diego, will provide insight into an array of issues facing insurance and financial advisors.

Peter Sheahan, the keynote speaker for the Sunday General Session, is a leading authority on the most influential consumer and employee group in the world today, Generation Y, the upwardly mobile generation born between 1978 and 1994. A member of Generation Y himself, Sheahan’s research and expertise allows him to keep ahead of trends as they begin with Gen Y and then move upwards to impact the broader market.

Sheahan has devoted particular study to the relationship between Generation Y and financial services. The financial services industry, for all its success, is an “old” industry. Old in terms of the average age of advisors, and old in terms of the age of consumers. Sheahan speaks to the question of how to engage Generation Y in the financial services industry as both advisors and consumers. This is a question with implications for your industry, your association and your practice.

Commander Scott Waddle, U.S. Navy (Ret.), is the Monday General Session keynote presenter. An inspirational leader with uncompromising ethical standards, Waddle graduated at the top of his class at Annapolis. In 1998 he was handpicked to command the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville. On the fateful day of February 9, 2001, Commander Waddle's life was forever changed when he gave the order to perform an emergency surface maneuver that inadvertently caused the 9,000 ton submarine to collide with the Ehime Maru, a 500 ton Japanese fishing vessel, killing nine people on board. The tragedy made international headlines.

Against the advice of his attorney and the Navy's direction, Waddle took responsibility for the accident. His compelling story about the tragic ordeal and the choices that followed is a lesson about integrity, faith and resilience and provides an inspiring challenge to all of us as we face difficult choices in life.

The Tuesday General Session will feature advocacy expert Michael E. Dunn and economic futurist Jeff Thredgold.

As president of Michael E. Dunn & Associates, Inc., a public affairs consulting firm, Dunn specializes in developing the political effectiveness of corporations and associations. Having worked with over 350 corporate and association clients, Dunn has earned a national reputation for excellence in developing political action committees, grassroots lobbying programs, and political training and education programs at the federal and state levels. Dunn will show you how NAIFA and your state association can maximize your political power through grassroots programs like IFAPAC and APIC.

Jeff Thredgold has been helping people understand the tangled maze of the economy and financial markets for over three decades. 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 at a time the nation will be facing an approaching presidential election, Thredgold’s insight will give you a glimpse at the issues that will shape our lives and careers.

Register for NAIFA's 2008 Convention and Career Conference at www.naifa.org/convention. Contact John Boyle, Asst. V.P. Sales and Meetings, at jboyle@naifa.org for more information.

NAIFA Announces Monthly Credit Card Pilot Program

By Seth E. Ewing, Director of Membership Marketing

NAIFA is pleased to announce that effective Thursday, February 21, 2008, the monthly credit card pilot program is live. The pilot program allows new members and members who have been lapsed for six months or more to join NAIFA by paying their NAIFA membership investment in 12 easy monthly charges to their VISA or MasterCard (at this time we do not accept AMEX or Discover).

The monthly credit card pilot program is similar to NAIFA's bank draft program. On the fifth of each month NAIFA will charge the members credit card 1/12 of the total dues. Like the bank draft program, there is a monthly process fee of 50 cents. In order for a member to cancel this monthly credit card charge they must submit the request in writing to NAIFA. Otherwise NAIFA will continue to charge the credit card monthly and the member will renew automatically.

Sign-up online at https://secure.naifa.org/registration/ or http://www.naifa.org/join/documents/Membership_App_credit_0208.pdf to view/download the application. NAIFA is in the process of developing an online monthly credit card application. Applications for the monthly credit card pilot program will also be available shortly in the NAIFA Marketplace.

For more information, contact NAIFA's Member Service Center at 877-866-2432.

Get Ready for Disability Insurance Awareness Month in May

Caitlin Kubler, Marketing Coordinator, AHIA

The Association of Health Insurance Advisors (AHIA) – NAIFA’s health and employee benefits advocate – is encouraging agents to promote Disability Insurance Awareness Month (DIAM) in May. As an insurance agent, you know the significant financial consequences Americans face when they are not equipped with disability insurance. When Americans are not protected and an accident occurs, bills quickly pile up, mortgage payments slip and everyday needs are not met.

During DIAM you can educate your clients and your community about disability insurance. Use this opportunity to help safeguard their paychecks and save them from a financial catastrophe.

AHIA suggests you get involved by writing and contacting your elected officials and local media. Furthermore, take advantage of AHIA’s resources by visiting our website and accessing our valuable client flyer at www.ahia.net/benefits/HIM/images/AHIA_DIFlyer_0307.pdf). You can print the flyer, affix your business card and distribute it. Use this flyer to stress the significance of disability insurance and answer any questions your clients or community may have about disability insurance. AHIA hopes you take advantage of this opportunity and promote DIAM today!

More information on Disability Insurance Awareness Month is available at www.ahia.net.

LILI Sets Events for 2008 NAIFA Convention

Ian McCommons, Special Projects Manager, LILI

Alumni, new graduates and current students of the Leadership in Life Institute will not want to miss this year’s activities at the 2008 NAIFA Convention. From the Alumni Reception on opening night to the LILI 7 Workshop on Tuesday afternoon, LILI events will connect graduates from across the federation in a common spirit.

Alumni Reception

Saturday, September 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Taking place prior to the opening night festivities, this event is complimentary for alumni and current students and is a great place to network and celebrate the LILI experience. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. Advance registration is required.

LILI Expo Booth

Sunday, Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The LILI expo booth provides a unique opportunity for alumni to make new connections and share the LILI story with NAIFA members who want to learn more about LILI. The booth will recognize the Class of 2008 with a pictorial display.

LILI 7 Alumni Workshop

Tuesday, September 9, 1-4:30 p.m.

The LILI journey and your personal quest for growth do not end when you complete the six-month course. LILI still has more to offer. This year’s LILI 7 features a new time-slot, an exciting new format and a distinguished guest speaker. The program, "Commanding Leadership – It’s All About T.E.A.M.," features Commander Scott Waddle, U.S. Navy (Ret.), as speaker.

Register for Convention and LILI ticketed events – the Alumni Reception and LILI 7 Alumni Workshop – online at www.naifa.org/convention. When you register, don’t forget to check the box next to LILI Graduate to receive a ribbon to wear at Convention in recognition of your achievement!

It is not too late to enroll in LILI for 2008! There may still be enrollment opportunities in these states: Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Utah and Wisconsin.

Please direct inquiries to lili@naifa.org. View a roster of 2008 institutes and moderators at www.naifa.org/benefits/lili/lili_moderator_list.cfm.

Don't Lose NAIFA in Your Spam Filter

If you've had trouble getting email from NAIFA, go to the NAIFA Email Preference Center at www.naifa.org/about/email.cfm for instructions on how to keep important email out of your spam folder.

Does NAIFA have your current contact information? Check can review your member information, including email and address, online at https://secure.naifa.org/imisw, or contact the Member Service Center at (877) TO-NAIFA (866-2432) or membersupport@naifa.org.

NAIFA informs our members of many tools and resources through email updates, and you may miss out on this information if NAIFA-National doesn't have a working email address from you or if NAIFA email gets lost in your spam filter. In addition, we want to be sure that all NAIFA members receive our e-newsletters, including GovTalk and The NAIFA Advantage, as well as GovAlerts that inform you of urgent legislation that could have an impact on your business and our industry.

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