Hi Everyone –
After months of planning by your Administrative Committee, it’s hard to believe that the 2011 PICA Workshop is finally almost here!
I’m very excited about the program the team has put together and, once again, we’ve taken advantage of our location to get some new and interesting perspectives on the cornerstones of our name – “Insurance” and “Communications.”
On the Insurance side, we’re grateful that Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is able to join us to kick things off and provide his view of the industry’s challenges and opportunities. As a communicator employed by an insurance company, I’m keen on learning from our agent panel about what types of company communications work – and what doesn’t. I think everyone will also be ready to hear something good about the industry when we hear from another area agent, Angelyn Treutel, who will present some real world examples of the difference insurance can make with our customers.
On the Communications side, we’ll also learn about the latest in social media and do some exercises on how to best utilize these ever-evolving tools. Professor Ashley Nelson from Tulane University will concentrate on writing for social media, while PICA favorite Cindy Crescenzo steps up as lead presenter to provide insight on how to make social media work for your organization.
We’re also honored to have Kay Wilkins, CEO of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, on hand to talk about the importance of disaster preparedness and how we can share this information with our policyholders. We’ll also have the traditional open forum as we discuss our own specific challenges while also looking for ways to make PICA a more effective organization.
One program change note: On your original program, we were going to do some volunteer work with a local agency on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, and despite some extensive research and investigation by one of our committee members, the original plan fell through and new logistics for this activity could not be arranged. Therefore, you will have some extra time that afternoon to explore more of what New Orleans offers, whether it’s the Audubon Zoo, the new “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond” exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum, the World War II Museum or a trip to one of the many interesting neighborhoods outside the French Quarter.
In the meantime, I hope you’re excited about this year’s Workshop – and we haven’t even talked about the special charms of New Orleans! Bring your appetites, as the Crescent City was named “The Most Affordable Dining City in the Country” by Zagat in November. We’re not just talking Krystal, either, with some of the finest restaurateurs in the country setting up shop. Of course, the city is also known for its live music, so whether you like blues, jazz, folk, country or rock – there will be something for you to enjoy. Finally, New Orleans was named one of the “Coolest Cities in America” by the search engine Bing – which we already knew.
See you there and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Patrick Faherty
Public Relations Manager - Grange Insurance
Chairman - PICA, Inc.
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