What’s New: In brief (September 26, 2005)

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) predicts that if no action is taken to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving BC residents that approximately 22,000 vehicle collisions will occur in October, with 6,500 injuries. In lieu of these figures and October’s designation as “Zero Crash Month,” the ICBC and the provincial government and local police have released a program that attempts to help drivers reduce the incidence of BC motor vehicle accidents. The month-long, province-wide Community Crash Reduction Challenge program will launch on September 26 at the ICBC Salvage Yard in New Westminster and will highlight a car crash demonstration Both communities and individuals are being asked

The Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) will hold its first National Best Practices Symposium an inaugural event that will take place from Oct. 18-19, 2005 , in conjunction with the IBAO Convention at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The symposium will give selected brokerages from across the country which have completed the program, the opportunity to participate in educational sessions and network with their peers. Glenn White, “Best Practices” champion, will provide participants with the latest figures from the US and provide a historical comparison of numbers over the past 10 years. In addition Kevin Stipe, senior vp and principal of Reagan Consulting, will be speaking on the state of the industry, focusing on mergers, building brokerage value, perpetuation and strategic planning. “These workshops have been carefully structured to give all attendees maximum benefit, focusing on key factors in today’s competitive environment: agency growth and development, customer service excellence, and owners’ and managers’ essentials,” Dan Danyluk, ceo of IBAC, says.

The Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc. recently announced this year’s recipients of the Foundation’s academic scholarship fund. Of the 34 total students receiving scholarships, 25 will be awarded to undergraduates, three are in the master’s category, three are for pre-dissertation PhD students, and three are for part-time MBA students. Notable awards are being presented to: Anita Benedetti Scholar, Wei Chen of St. John’s University; Royal & Sun Alliance/Douglas Barlow Memorial Scholar Gabriel Pringle of Olivet College; and Holwerda Memorial Scholarship winner Craig Carpenter of Olivet College. The Spencer Educational Foundation’s scholarship fund received a contribution of $10,000 from St. Paul Travelers, XL Group and Zurich Insurance.