In the property/casualty business, as in any industry, pundits and prognosticators are a dime a dozen. A lot of self-styled experts toss opinions around like confetti, but a few wise heads possess the clarity of vision to see into the likely future.

Nine such savants were on hand to offer their views to attendees at the IMMS/Group 500 Annual Conference presented by Insurance Marketing & Management Services (IMMS) in May. Held in Chicago, the conference focused on helping agents, brokers, and other insurance professionals develop a network of valuable contacts in the business.

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by George Nordhaus, founder and chairman of IMMS/Group 500. The panelists represented a broad cross section of the property/casualty business: Roger Looyenga, CEO, Auto-Owners Insurance Group; Robert Sargent, president, Tennant Risk Services; Mark Manfre, executive vice president, Insurance Office of America; Dan Carmichael, CEO, Ohio Casualty; Dan Epstein, president, ResourcePro; William Hold, cofounder and president, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research; Frank Burke, president and CEO, First Insurance Funding; Mike Schroeder, president, Roundstone Insurance; and Al Diamond, president, Agency Consulting Group.

> Read More