Odds & Ends

We're sure you're all back into the swing of things since returning back to work after the conference. Here are a few follow up items to help keep PICA on your mind:

• Just a reminder that if you're interested in serving on the Administrative Committee to help plan the 2009 conference, now is the time to volunteer! We've got some candidates in mind who have expressed interest, but we can always use more help. It could be something as simple as volunteering to find some potential speakers on one of our many possible topics for next year. If you're interested, let us know!


• If you want to comment here, but don't have a Google or Blogger account, never fear! You can still comment anonymously. Comments go into a cue and are reviewed by the Administrative Committee before posting. Hopefully that will keep spammers at bay.


• Lynn Gaertner-Johnston has been in touch (as have a few of our other speakers) and remember, you've got a great resource in reading her regularly updated blog and in the articles on her company's site. A link to her business, Syntax Training, appears in the Friends of PICA section. Make it a favorite and check it regularly!

Thanks for all the great feedback you provided in our survey...we're already beginning to think about how to make next year's workshop a slam dunk...keep the great ideas coming!

Seattle 2008 = Big Success!

Thank you to all our PICA 2008 Workshop attendees! What a fantastic, informative conference we had - whether it was getting up to the minute industry thoughts from Gerald Schmidt,CPCU, learning how to improve our business writing with Lynn Gaertner-Johnston of Syntax Training, interacting and inspiring creativity with Randy Dixon of Unexpected Productions, or brushing up on best practices for copyright with Stephen Garfield of the Copyright Clearance Center, we enjoyed our time together and our brains are officially FULL!

We did manage to add some fun to the mix, though, didn't we? Who can forget the great meals and camaraderie at Oliver's, Dahlia's, Cutter's or the Icon Grill? How about our excursion to the Space Needle by Monorail? And shopping was second to none as the Westlake Center was right next to our wonderfully accommodating hotel, The Mayflower Park Hotel.

If you weren't able to join your PICA friends for this year's session, don't worry! You know we'll plan another stellar conference for 2009.

If you missed the workshop, this blog is news to you! We've decided to make the original PICA Web site a "storefront" where non-members can go to learn about PICA the organization. We'll be updating that site to make it cleaner and tighter. The member login will be eliminated, and all information useful to members will reside here, on the blog.

So, this blog will serve as a communication center to keep you connected all year long. You'll be regularly updated on the latest PICA related events, interesting articles, and most importantly, your thoughts - you can comment on every post and submit your ideas for updates and articles right here. As you know, in the communication world, blogs are THE hot way to communicate - we can update immediately and frequently. And, if you want to forward this link to others who might be interested in joining our group or attending a workshop, this will provide a better feel for who we are as an organization.

The "PICA-Connect!" forum we tried last year after the conference kind of fizzled - you needed a password and who can remember another one of those! With this blog format, you can stop by anytime - no password required - and catch up on all things PICA. You'll still receive e-mails, but each will contain a link to this site. Also, the PICA storefront homepage will include a link to this site to help drive people here.

We hope that you'll enjoy this new feature and added service...as always, we're ready and willing to make PICA the organization that YOU want it to be. We're nothing without you!

Stay tuned for photos, updates and more!

Join Us For Our Annual Workshop!

In this year's workshop, learn about industry trends, network with insurance communications professionals and spend time with the experts. Featured guests and sessions include:

• Industry Update with Gerald P. Schmidt, CPCU, President, Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Co., Enumclaw, Wa. Learn more about what is going on in the insurance industry right now, discover what trends and issues are on the horizon and get more information about what you’ll need to know as an industry communicator in the coming months. Immediate Past President of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Schmidt is an industry expert with special insight into the most current issues affecting insurance companies.

• Master Your Message with Lynne Gaertner-Johnston, Founder and Business Writing Expert, Syntax Training.
  Enhance your writing skills, recognize how to get results in email, determine what your varied readers need and how to provide it, plan and write any document using a simple strategy, and accentuate the positive, even when the message is negative. Get solutions to your writing challenges, and take away tips and tools.

• Get Spontaneous by Improvising with Unexpected Productions.
  Kick up your creativity, enhance your brainstorming abilities, increase your spontaneity and find ways to boost the interest of your everyday publications.

• Understanding Copyright with Stephen Garfield, Director of Corporate Account Management, Copyright Clearance Center.
  Is citing a source enough to allow a quote or reprint? Do you have permission to reproduce articles for your publications or company Web site? Learn about the practices you can follow to protect your company and abide by the law.

Our conference will be held at the Mayflower Park Hotel and we've secured reduced room rates for our attendees:

• Please ask for Reservations and reference Professional Insurance Communicators of America, Inc. when reserving your room.


• We've secured room rates ranging from $155 - $195, depending on whether you'd like a Classic Room ($155), Deluxe Queen ($175) or Mini Suite ($195).


• These rates are valid for stays beginning as early as April 12. If you plan to stay in Seattle longer than the end of our conference, please ask if your rate may be extended when you make your reservation.
  
  We hope you'll join us in Seattle! To register, please complete the registration form, which includes payment and mailing instructions.