Message from the President

My CIAA membership began 28 years ago when I joined the company I still work for today. It was in 1993 while attending my first Annual Conference that I experienced the unique camaraderie that exists between CIAA members. In the 20 years that have followed, my husband Ian and I have formed many close bonds with members and their spouses from coast to coast and I have grown both professionally and personally from my many years of involvement with CIAA.

Having been involved on the organizing committee of several Annual Conferences, I know first-hand the immense work involved in the planning of such a first rate event and this year’s annual conference held at the beautiful and historical Banff Springs hotel was no exception. President John Seyler, his wife Lana, the convention committee under the chair of Dave Riddell and CIAA Executive Director Pat Battle all did an absolutely spectacular job in the organizing and execution of the event.

From the Thursday evening’s Welcome Reception and Tradeshow, supported by our many sponsors (a big thank you to all of you as these events could not be possible without your attendance), to our Friday morning key note speaker Jeff Mowatt who enlightened and inspired us with his seemingly simple but very effective customer service tips, followed by the excellent education sessions, it was evident from the beginning that the committee had worked very hard to create such a fantastic program.

The highlight of the conference for me came during our AGM when I was elected to the position of President. It was a truly humbling experience considering all those past presidents who have previously served this great association. I am honoured by the confidence the membership have bestowed in me and I pledge my utmost in furthering the aims of CIAA.

During our time in Banff, we learned the Banff Springs hotel is celebrating its 125th anniversary and that in 1953, Marilyn Monroe had stayed there while filming a movie. But that is not the only thing that was happening in 1953. On December 1, 1953, a group of independent insurance adjusters representing 10 different adjusting firms gathered at the King Edward hotel in Toronto to hold an organizational meeting to form the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Conference (becoming the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association in 1985). By the time this inaugural meeting was held, there had been over 100 affirmative responses from firms invited to become charter members. Firms represented at that fateful first meeting included Morden and Helwig Limited, Vern Walker and Company and F.C. Maltman and Company.

Of interest is the fact that two of our members in attendance at this year’s AGM, Past President Craig Walker (son of Past President Vern Walker) and newly elected 2nd Vice President Albert Poon are both direct descendants of these founding member firms. Also in attendance and noteworthy from a historical point of view; Allan Hart, son of Past President David Hart; Past President Fred R. Plant, son of Past President G. Fred Plant and longtime colleague and friend of CIAA Jay Sutherland, son of Past President Skip Sutherland.

Congratulations to this year’s elected executive. Along with our committee members, we have a lot of work ahead of us to push forward our objectives, including but not limited to obtaining a successful outcome with regard to a more harmonized insurance regulatory system and finalizing our new CLA designation program. I know as a team with a roll up our sleeves attitude that we can do it and I look forward to working with all of you as well as our National Insurance Industry Advisory Board in the upcoming year.

Sincere thanks to Immediate Past President, John Seyler, for his invaluable contribution and service to our association. John, as a result of your enthusiasm and hard work, you have certainly left an indelible mark on our association and I thank you for that.

CIAC was formed with the motto “Experience, Service, Integrity”. As professional independent adjusters, for the past 60 years members have united to protect and defend their values, demonstrate their merits and work together for solutions. It is all about the industry, its future and the valuable role independent adjusters will play in that future. CIAA is the voice of the independent adjuster.

My “President’s” office door is always open and I invite you to contact me anytime you have any questions/suggestions/comments.

Before we know it, the holiday season and all its merriment will soon be upon us and in that vein I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyful December. In the meantime, keep an eye open for the upcoming December/January edition of Claims Canada, featuring CIAA’s 60th anniversary and a bit of a walk down memory lane.

I look forward to serving you and congratulate all past and present CIAC/CIAA members on our 60th Anniversary!