During today's General Session Breakfast at the Big “I" Legislative Conference, Todd Jackson, Big “I" chairman, cited solid financials, a debt-free balance sheet, a handful of new initiatives and a commitment to collaboration to declare that the state of the association is strong.

A key component of Jackson's address was the launch of the Big “I" Alliance, a new initiative designed to expand market access opportunities for smaller agencies.

 “We have recently made an investment in an initiative—our new Big 'I' Alliance—that increases our value proposition to our smaller members … but we will need the state associations' help for this," Jackson said.

Under the leadership of Big “I" President & CEO Charles Symington, the national Big “I" has made empowering state associations a top priority. But collaboration isn't just helpful, Jackson said, it's essential to the success of the Big “I" Alliance program and other key initiatives.

“We care about what you are doing at the state level. We appreciate hearing from you … and we know that our cooperation benefits our members," Jackson said. “We know we need to learn from our states … and in turn, we ask that our state associations work to support the many resources that we offer to our agents and brokers."

Big “I" national can set the broad strategic direction, Jackson explained, but it is the states, working hand in hand with national leadership, that deliver real results to members. This strategy “can't be understated," he said. “When we work together, we succeed."

In describing the evolving relationship between national and state groups, Jackson returned to one of his favorite analogies: the power of a preposition.

“The Big 'I' is an association of independent insurance agents … the work we do at our board meetings and in committees is done for independent insurance agents," Jackson said. “But when we leave and go back to run our agencies, that work is executed by Charles and his staff at national, done by the states, and by the state executives and their staff."

For example, Jackson announced the rollout of a major IT upgrade for the national association, which is designed to enhance the member experience through an improved website and streamlined data sharing.

“This IT train is just arriving at the station," Jackson said, noting that the new online user experience will make it easier for members to access critical resources, while enhanced digital capabilities will help the association deliver what members need when they need it. “The more we integrate our technology to give us better data, the more we can target help to our members," he said.

On the marketing front, Jackson pointed to the evolving Trusted Choice® program as a key support system. From ready-made digital materials to resources covering how to safely use artificial intelligence and how to develop a social media strategy, Trusted Choice is becoming an essential marketing lifeline. “Simply put, we are doing more to help you promote your business in your own community," Jackson said.

Throughout the address, Jackson returned to the theme of partnerships—between national and state organizations, between agents and technology, and between the Big "I" and its carrier partners. “Our business is not about policies. It's about partnerships," he concluded. “When we collaborate, we succeed. We're proving that every day."

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.