The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America recently honored six states, including Virginia, for their outstanding educational programs.

The recognition was made at the Big I’s recent education convocation in New Orleans, La.

Cindy Webster, chair of the Big I Virtual University curriculum and research committee, said the awards were established by the agents’ group, “to recognize the tremendous contributions made by our state associations in their efforts to improve education.”

“The needs of our agents could not be successfully met without the hard work and dedication of state associations such as those we honor with [these awards],” Webster, CEO of Jack Rice Insurance in Largo, Fla., said in a statement.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia received the “Single Best Seminar” award for an outstanding education seminar, serving as an example of the high quality work IIABA members come to expect, according to the national association.

Also receiving educational awards were state associations in Georgia and Maryland.

Three states were also recognized with the L.P. McCord Award, given annually to state associations, in size categories, who have provided members with the best opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the profession.

Honored this year were the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, in the category of 461 to 1,000 members; The Alabama Independent Agents Association, in the category of 251 to 460 members; and the Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico, in the category of less than 250 members.

The award is named after L.P. “Dean” McCord, a Jacksonville, Fla., agent who pioneered the “short” course in 1936.