California SLA marks 70th Anniversary

The Surplus Line Association of California (SLA) is marking the 70th anniversary of the organization’s stamping office this week, according to Ted Pierce, Executive Director of the SLA. On Dec. 1, 1938, California Insurance Commissioner Rex B. Goodcell and Assistant Commissioner, Harold B. Haas authorized a plan in which the Commissioner would allow the surplus line brokers to make filings with a new “Stamping Office” within the Surplus Line Association of California.

Today the SLA is an organization of 3,874 surplus line brokers licensed by the State of California to negotiate and place insurance with nonadmitted insurers. The Association serves as the official surplus line advisory organization to the California Department of Insurance. With few exceptions, all California surplus line insurance policies must be filed with the Surplus Line Association of California for analysis of regulatory compliance, record keeping, and statistical reporting.

Mid-Year Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 2009 NAPSLO Mid-Year Educational Workshop, scheduled for February 26 to March 1 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, Calif. and the early registration deadline is January 15.

Members can register for the meeting through the NAPSLO website and also reserve hotel rooms at the Renaissance Esmeralda. Information about the meeting is available in the Mid-Year section of the NAPSLO website or by downloading the Mid-Year brochure.

To register online, click on the Mid-Year Workshop link and use the following information. Registration fees are $695 for delegates and $425 for spouses for early registration. Late registration fees after January 15 are $750 and $475. Registration information and policies are available online.

The Renaissance Esmeralda will be the host of the Mid-Year Workshop and members can reserve a hotel room as part of registering online. The hotel reservation screen appears at the end of the Workshop Registration process. Rooms are limited to one per attendee and all rooms in NAPSLO's room block are automatically monitored and any rooms reserved by non-registrants will be cancelled.

Among the Mid-Year Workshop programs include a review of the current industry landscape and a program on cancer research. Saturday will feature programs on benchmarking performances; employment practices, and tips on using electronic devices. The full Mid-Year schedule is available to view.

The Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Golf Invitational is scheduled for Friday, February 27. Members can register for the golf outing online or by downloading the golf brochure. Golf sponsorship information is available in the brochure.

Tours include a Celebrity Home Tour & Lunch at Las Casuelas Terazza and a Cooking Demonstration & Lunch at Copley's. Spa treatments will also be available from the Esmeralda Spa at the resort.