P&C insurance industry professionals gathered at the Château Frontenac in Quebec City on November 12-13 for the RCCAQ's 46th annual convention. Based on the theme of “Present for the Future”, the event focused on the business practices that companies will be adopting in the near future. Here is a look back at a resoundingly successful convention!
Artificial intelligence in a business setting
Charles Dugas kicked off the convention with a talk on artificial intelligence (AI). In his forward-looking presentation, he shed light on various operational changes that AI will be ushering in.
Interactive connections
Mixing business and pleasure, the convention-goers certainly enjoyed the convention's immersive "playground", including games, questionnaires, food fairs, lounges and networking opportunities, all combining to create an array of attractive atmospheres!
Intrigued by the possibility of winning one of the prizes on offer, the participants used the dedicated convention app to scan the QR codes on each booth.
Nadia Villeneuve of the firm Fortin Ouellet Assurances Inc. won the grand prize: a $1,000 travel gift certificate donated by Opta. According to Opta's representative Sami Hasbani, Eng., the company was “proud to have partnered with an inclusive next-generation event dedicated to showcasing a variety of industry partners”.
Displaying great feats of imagination, the trade show exhibitors outdid themselves in attracting the convention goers to their booths. A number of companies stood out for their strategies promoting their products and services. The following booths deserve a special mention!
Also making noteworthy contributions were our Diamond, Platinum and Gold partners, who enhanced the trade show atmosphere with an array of surprising activities!
Accredited training activities: rich in content and forward-looking!
It was standing room only for the training activity Millennials and Gen Z: Down With Stereotypes! The trainers, Marie-Claude Trudeau and Mylène Tremblay, took a humorous look at the cutting-edge generations and punctured a few of the myths associated with them. Also working as marketing and HR professionals at sept24 agency, both trainers provided a set of practical tools for convention goers wishing to attract and retain the services of the "next generation".
The training activity Marketing Trends and Best Practices of Tomorrow, presented by Stéphane Mailhiot, delighted the participants, who were eager for advice on how to promote their business amid intense competition. Demonstrating the full extent of his expertise, Mr. Mailhiot, president of the agency Havas Montreal, focused on new trends that will guide entrepreneurs seeking to raise their public profile.
Next generation: students meet with brokerage representatives
The RCCAQ and the Coalition once again invited their respective member firms to discuss the brokerage profession and the industry with a contingent of insurance students. Many young people braved the snow to meet with representatives of the 10 firms taking part in the event (Allée de la Relève).
Insurers' reception: emphasis on networking
Capping off a wonderful evening in the Château Frontenac's ballroom, the insurers' reception was sponsored by six partners (Northbridge Insurance, Intact Insurance, RSA, Promutuel, L'Unique General Insurance and Economical Insurance). Deftly wielding the tools of their trade, the bartending team concocted a panoply of multi-coloured beverages as participants snacked on a variety of delicious morsels. A great way to close out the first day of the convention!
Exchanging views on the digital context and condominium training
The second day of the convention kicked off with an interactive presentation and a training activity on condominiums. Entitled Laboratory of Ideas: Workshops and Discussions on the Issues of the Day, the presentation was divided into two parts. Mélissa Perreault, an attorney and an expert regulatory analyst with the AMF, briefed the participants on authorized activities for certified and non-certified representatives working in brokerages, particularly in the wake of changes stemming from the legislative review and the authorization of online insurance sales.
Xavier Freeman, owner of the online firm Allset, then laid out his vision of innovation, delving into his own background and emphasizing the need to adapt to a constantly-changing digital context.
Demystifying condominium ownership
Three experts from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) presented information on condominium ownership and the impact of recent legislative changes: Marie-Pierre Grignon, IBC's director of technical and legal affairs; Dominic Roy, P&C insurance analyst; and Line Crevier, supervisor of technical affairs and the insurance information centre. Brokers completing this accredited training activity earned 1 PDU in the area of law and legislation.
Insurers, also present for the future
The insurers' panel, moderated by Nathalie Durocher, provided a forum for insurance company representatives to ponder the future of the brokerage sector. Glen Bates of Economical Insurance; Guy Lecours of Promutuel Insurance; Jean-François Desautels of Intact Insurance; Yves Gagnon of L'Unique General Insurance; Patrice Jean of RSA; and Jean-François Beliveau of Northbridge Insurance presented their industry outlooks to a standing-room-only audience.
Lunch conference presented by BMO
Frédéric Pérodeau, superintendent, client services and distribution oversight at the AMF, addressed an audience of 350 people at the lunch conference during the convention. He used the opportunity to clarify the new damage insurance regulations; but because they were in the process of being approved by the provincial government and out of respect for the ministerial process, Mr. Pérodeau was unable to provide detailed information on the content. He did, however, provide some useful information for the members who could not attend. Here is a summary of the highlights.
Pre-banquet reception
Presented by Pal and held in the Verchères Room, the pre-banquet reception was another fine networking opportunity, attracting some 500 guests. Lively discussions in a relaxed atmosphere set the stage for the traditional gala capping off the convention.
A night at the Château
During the well-attended banquet, 500 convention goers were treated to a sumptuously regal display! The gala, including a number of memorable musical performances, featured various tributes and noteworthy speeches. During his remarks, Sylvain Turgeon, vice-president of Verrier et Associés Inc., emphasized the importance of autonomy and the pride in being a broker.
The convention banquet also provided the RCCAQ with an opportunity to hand out various awards. Marc-Olivier Chauvin of DPA Assurances was the recipient of the RCCAQ-LARAQ 2019 New Broker of Distinction Award, presented by Applied Systems
The 2019 Technology Award of Distinction, presented by National Bank, went to the firm Geska.
Claude Pinsonneault received the John Morin Award. Congratulations to all brokers who were in the running and to all the winners!
RCCAQ's 47th annual convention
The RCCAQ's 47th annual convention will be held on November 25-26, 2020 at Montreal's Hotel Bonaventure. Come and mingle with your industry peers for another event that's guaranteed to be rich in content and networking opportunities!
