Officials from the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers say the organization’s 52nd annual convention, featuring educational seminars, social outings, trade show and awards banquet, drew nearly 250 independent agents, CSRs and company personnel to Rehoboth, Del.

“The convention was a success,” said John Yasik, chairman of the DAIAB. “It has become a staple gathering for who’s who in the Delaware insurance world and draws a loyal crowd.”

Attendees took part in a CSR-appreciation luncheon and earned continuing-education credits at four seminars. Industry experts David Digman, Jerry Milton and Krista Yankowski taught sessions on D&O and professional liability; agency development; ethics and E&O; and personal-lines coverage.

Alex Soto, president of InSource and former Big I president, provided an executive leadership session, addressing how politics, eroding industry confidence and a soft market have converged and how agents can make lemonade out of those accumulating lemons.

The convention culminated that evening with a banquet dinner, where Soto provided the convention’s keynote address. Titled “Black Bean Soup for the Soul,” his presentation recounted his family’s escape from Cuba and his refuge and subsequent success in the United States.

The banquet also included an awards ceremony, where several attendees were lauded for their contributions to the association and the Delaware insurance community.

Association leadership presented DAIAB-member Scott Foltz of the Pfister Insurance Agency in Dover, Del., with the Wharton-Ranalli Leadership Award; DAIAB CEO and President Rick Russell with the Francis B. Gebhart Memorial Award; and two recent high school graduates with $1,500 Joann Scott Memorial Scholarships. Megan Marshall of Thomas J. Hornung & Associates in Wilmington, Del., also was recognized for winning Delaware’s CSR of the Year Award – an honor sponsored by The National Alliance for Insurance & Education.

“We used this opportunity to announce a new award as well,” said Yasik. “The William H. Lenhart, Jr. Award, named after our friend Bill from Lititz Mutual Insurance Company, will recognize those who forge strong agency-company relationships.”

In addition, James Price, a 2009 St. Thomas More Preparatory School graduate from Smyrna, Del., and Benjamin Hockman, a 2009 Charter School of Wilmington graduate from Hockessin, Del., received $1,500 Joann Scott Memorial Scholarships from DAIAB. To qualify, Price and Hockman maintained a 3.0 or higher grade-point average, are Delaware residents and plan to enroll as a full-time, first-year students at an accredited college or university. Joann Scott was employed by Kinnamon Taylor and Dawes, of Wilmington, Del. She was active in the DAIAB and dedicated to furthering the education of independent insurance agents, which is why a scholarship is given in her name each year.

View photos from the convention here.