The UBA 2018 Spring Conference brought together benefits professionals from across the nation to share and network with their peers. There was no shortage of events to attend or information to learn only a lack of time to take in all the valuable insights and success stories. Many of the attendees couldn't get enough and asked for more PowerPaks, extra time to discuss compliance issues, more networking and deeper discussions around trending topics such as prospecting, renewals, marketing, account management, and health plan benchmarking. Presentations and videos of many of the sessions and discussions can be viewed on the UBA Spring Conference recap page on the Wisdom Network.
#1 Overcoming Overwhelming Odds
For those in attendance at the UBA Spring Conference, we hope you had a chance to hear keynote presenter Billy McLaughlin who was sponsored by Secura Consultants. Billy's story is based around an incredible journey about overcoming all odds, defying the impossible and embracing change. Although many of us are fortunate in that we do not suffer from Billy's condition of focal dystonia, we can absolutely point to a time in our life when we were forced to adjust to a new normal.
This is often true in our ever-changing world of business. One certainty in business is change. For those ready to embrace the new ways in the midst of change find success easier than those who remain stuck in the old ways that may no longer work or be effective as the market shifts.
Billy's message perfectly exemplifies the mission of Secura Consultants and their value proposition to United Benefit Advisors. Secura Consultants encourages UBA Partners to look through a renewed lens by bringing disability income protection to the forefront of the health plan discussion. Based upon current market conditions this encouragement is founded in researched trends happening in employee benefits. There has never been a better time to embrace disability income protection within your business.
Secura Consultants will help your team by utilizing a guided approach through their proprietary Block Review engagement. Complete and return the risk assessment form to get started! This process is guaranteed to broaden your market and create more value for your practice.
#2 The Best of the Best
Once a year UBA surveys the Partners to select candidates for the UBA 2018 UBBIE awards. The annual UBBIE Awards recognize those who embody the UBA spirit of "Shared Wisdom. Powerful Results." The award honors and recognizes people and organizations within the UBA family who demonstrate significant achievements in their involvement with UBA. This year, the UBBIEs were not only a tribute to the people who unconditionally gave back to the organization but an emotional experience and extraordinary demonstration of servant leadership.
UBA Partner Firm of the Year – Benefit Intelligence, Inc.
Wearing his emotions on his sleeve was Charles Carlson, President of Benefit Intelligence, Inc., who appeared quite surprised and extremely honored that his peers selected his firm as the Partner Firm of the year. This well-deserved honor was a result of Charles's vision and leadership in fostering the UBA Health Plan Survey and Unifi relationship, serve on the UBA Conference Planning Committee, and the positive impact that Partners have received from the Teladoc program.
UBA Partner Firm Principal of the Year – John Hearn, The Benefit Company
Graciously accepting the Principal of the year award was John Hearn, Principal of The Benefit Company, and UBA Board Secretary and Treasurer. John humbly and modestly acknowledged the recognition for his countless hours of dedicated service to the Partnership. But in true UBA fashion, John respectfully declined the award to recognize and his fellow UBA peer Scott Deru, President of Fringe Benefit Analysts, UBA Board Member and past UBA Board Chair, whom John felt was more deserving of the honor. Both John and Scott have been instrumental in working together with UBA President Peter Weber through the evolution of UBA and the implementation of the Partnership's long-term vision.
UBA Strategic Carrier Alliance(s) of the Year – Principal and Sun Life
This is the first time in the history of the UBBIE's that there was a tie for the Strategic Carrier Alliance of the year. Both Principal and Sun Life have been long-standing alliances with UBA Partners dating back to the early days of UBA. These two carriers worked with Partners in 2017 to not only help build the Partners' book of business but to provide outstanding service to their clients, take part in UBA national and regional conferences, and to exhibit flexibility and a willingness to consider individual Partner needs by responding with educational opportunities, marketing and knowledge resources, and innovative solutions.
Please join us in congratulating the 2018 UBBIE award winners who were honored at the recent UBA Spring Conference.
#3 Compliance Learning Never Ends
This is the third UBA Compliance Summit, and even those who attended the past two sessions gained new information and consistently remarked that this was the best session yet. And new for this Spring Conference, UBA offered Compliance PowerPaks to provide attendees a better chance to share their own best practices with their peers. The full agenda included compliance, employment benefits law, compliance PowerPaks, Strategic Alliance round tables, and networking with peers. Many attendees felt that there was so much information to learn that an additional day should be added to allow even more time for networking at future events.
#4 Can't Get Enough Self-Funding
The main take-away from this session was for there to be more time allowed to continue the discussion! The panel of experts were extremely knowledgeable and gave practical advice that could be implemented by most any Partner for clients of all shapes and sizes. Experts discussed the factors that impact a self-funded plan's experience and the steps we can take to ensure plans are operating at peak efficiency.
#5 Opportunity Knocks in Social Media
Tara Hunt was back on stage by popular demand based on feedback from attendees at the UBA 2017 Fall Conference. Tara's understanding of our business and UBA was key to the roadmap she outlined for social media opportunities beginning with how to find and then engage both clients and prospects. Tara's real-life experiences and personable speaking style helped to envision how Partners can actually walk away and implement solutions immediately with little effort or disruption to their daily routine. Many attendees use a variety of social media tools but have not yet taken advantage of the potential and capacity that social media has to offer. Make sure to watch the recording of this popular keynote presentation.
#6 UBA Principals Business Meeting
Two important initiatives were announced during this exclusive Principals-only session that will be a focus for 2018 and many years to come. UBA is developing a prestigious award to recognize an individual that exemplifies the UBA culture and reflects the core attributes that UBA co-founder David LoCascio established in 2002. A referral campaign to find new UBA Partners was also launched that features a competition titled "Take Five" to increase participation.
Since the inception of UBA, there have been many extraordinary Partners who have unconditionally shared their expertise, experiences and knowledge for the betterment of others. Their selflessness has created deep personal relationships and life-long relationships. One of the greatest gifts these individuals give to others is their time. Because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. The David LoCascio Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to the first recipient at the UBA 2018 Fall Conference.
"Take Five" is a new competition to incite Principals to find the best and most qualified advisors in their market that would add and gain value by becoming a UBA Partner Firm. A gaming portal awards Partners who refer a candidate for Partnership a poker hand of five cards. For each referral, the Partner draws a new card that improves their hand and chance to win prizes. Winners will receive their choice of services from a UBA senior staff member at their local office for a day.
#7 The Future of Benefit Benchmarking
The new UBA Health Plan Survey powered by the Unifi platform is well underway with Partners entering plans to meet the goal of 20,000 plans entered by the July 31 deadline. UBA and Unifi are also working diligently to facilitate data integration from various Partner CRM systems. Partners will soon be able to slice and dice data in real time and display slick reporting dashboards from any digital device. The new system will be a huge differentiator for Partners in their consultative interactions with both clients and prospects.
#8 Breaking Barriers with the Women's Summit
The inaugural Women's Summit is a program to feature women that have made an impact in their respective area of expertise and who serve as role models to others in achieving success. This event featured U.S. Air Force Pilot Sharon Preszler, who broke the glass ceiling in a male dominated profession. Sharon broke the barrier by flying one of the fastest jests in the sky and by working her way up to a position that has always been thought of as a male responsibility. Sharon managed to overcome all the obstacles that confronted her to enjoy a successful career doing what she loved and reach her goals. The message to all women is to never let go of what you believe and that it is possible to gain the respect of others and to accomplish great things.
#9 Win-Win for Strategic Alliance Talks
Another first for UBA Conferences was an opportunity to hear first hand from a variety of product and service alliances. This format allowed alliances to present their capabilities and special UBA offerings in a "speed dating" style format. The format provided Partners a chance to get expedite the process to learn about alliances that they may not be aware of and how these services can benefit their agency and their clients. Many Partners followed up this session by visiting the exhibit area to get a more in-depth understanding of the products and services that fit their needs.
#10 Your Opinion Counts
As you know, it is the mission of UBA to improve the business of our Partner Firms. Achieving that mission depends, in part, on the informative and innovative programming we offer at our Conferences. We value your opinion and would like to know how we can continue to improve.
The UBA Conference Committee gathered the programming we felt would most benefit UBA Partners. Now, it is your turn to weigh in. We want to know what programming you benefited from most, the content that you felt has grown out of date, and topics you were hoping to find at the conference but didn't.
Share Your Feedback
Please fill out the survey via the UBA Spring Conference App on your mobile device, or via the website so we can make future conferences an even better experience.
