Shortly after I sent in my registration for the AICP meeting in Orlando, I was asked to write about my experience as a “first timer”. I know that it will probably surprise some people but it’s true that although I’ve been in the compliance arena for pretty much all of my career, this was the first national AICP meeting I attended. I guess I don’t really consider myself to be a typical first timer because I’ve been to a number of other industry meetings over the years and have a great many friends in the industry.

I’d been well aware of the AICP and the format of the national meeting for some time and had looked through the agenda session offerings as others in my company were attending. I’d always thought it was so great to have so many topics to choose from until it came time for me to actually determine the topics for “my” meeting. I say “my” meeting because with the range of topics, each person can truly tailor their AICP experience to fit their needs. I read through the topic description and careful chose the ones I wanted to attend. However, I discovered it’s a good thing that you can change your mind about which sessions to attend, even at the last minute, which of course, I did.

I left home early Sunday morning figuring I had plenty of time to get to the Peabody, check in, change clothes, get some lunch and get to my first session at 2:00. I made it to the session at 2:00 but it was non-stop from the time my plane landed until then. Next time, I would definitely follow the lead of some of my friends and arrive the day before. After two sessions that afternoon, it was time for the First Timer’s Meet and Greet. I enjoyed the line up in a certain order games to help break the ice and get to know folks a bit better. I even found out that I was not the first timer with the most years in the insurance industry which really did surprise me. Just goes to show that it never too late to give something new a try. Then it was on to the reception and the Exhibitor Showcase. With so many attendees, I didn’t think I would ever find anyone I knew but I did run into a number of old friends both attendees and vendors. I talked so much that I missed out on dessert – bummer. But I did get all of my duck stamps from the exhibitors. What a long day!

Monday morning came around pretty early but I was ready to get the day started. I really liked the chapter breakfast seating. It not only helped me figure out who was in my chapter, it also helped me find a few more friends from around the country. I enjoyed listening to Commisioner Sevigny as well – listening to the insurance commissioners helps compliance folks in the industry get a better sense of the DOI’s . After breakfast was a day jam packed with meetings in which I learned some new things and met some new people. I had a conflict in which sessions to attend and ended up missing the answer to my question for the Q&A but there were people who attended the Q&A that were more than willing to share. And of course, I had to watch the Peabody ducks retreat to their luxurious duck palace that evening along with at least half of the hotel guests. For our Chapter event that evening, we went to BB King’s for some great BBQ and blues. It was nice having these Chapter events to meet and visit with the folks in one’s own chapter, especially for someone new to the industry or for someone like me who’s moved to a different state. Walking there and back from BB King’s in the rain also provided an atmosphere of camaraderie (and made us feel a little like the ducks)! In all I say it was another good long day.

Tuesday morning at breakfast I found even more old friends to visit with. I didn’t really have a good grasp of how may people attended this meeting. My favorite session on this day was the Meet the Regulators. It was great being able to just sit down with a regulator I’ve talked with on the phone before, introduce myself and finally put a name with a face. I’ve met with regulators at various DOI’s before but it was always about a particular issue. This was nice to just be able to have an informal chat. Overall, I really liked that the speakers for the various sessions came from both the industry and regulatory sides so that both viewpoint could be presented at the same time. That evening a group of us went to dinner and shopping and I had a great time with some old and new friends. And I did get my key lime pie for dessert.

With Wednesday morning came a mixture of excitement to see what the morning’s sessions would hold and a feeling of being glad to go home. It’s hard to capture in words everything that went on in these four days of meetings. It’s afternoon and I’m sitting at the pool enjoying the Florida sunshine and reflecting on the last few days before I have to catch my plane. Grateful for the great time I had catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Realizing how much I learned from the sessions but wishing there had been time to attend more ( choosing between some offered at the same time was hard). Hopeful that the vendors I spoke with can help make a difference for my company. Laughing again at the great time at the night time events and at the ducks waddling down their red carpet. Extremely moved by all the support given to Camp Boggy Creek by the attendees through the auctions and donations. Thankful for all the folks who worked so hard to put this conference together. I know it took a huge effort from so many people to have such a large event go so well. I’m hooked on the AICP - it’s a great organization. See you in San Antonio!

Submitted by,
Laurel Colton