Benefits Selling Expo 2009 Announces New Session: How to Recover From The Economic Recovery Act

Centennial, CO, March 10, 2009 — Benefits Selling Expo 2009, hosted by Benefits Selling, announced that a new session, entitled How to Recover from the Economic Recovery Act, has been added to the lineup.

Benefits Selling Expo, in its fifth year, features three days of educational sessions that provide benefits brokers and agents the sales and marketing information to sell more group, voluntary, and retirement products, as well as networking opportunities and a packed exhibit hall. Benefits Selling Expo will be held April 1-3 in Austin.

The new session focuses on the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which mandates government-funded COBRA premium assistance equal to 65 percent of the cost to qualified beneficiaries. These complex new rules affect brokers nationwide. This session will take a closer look at the subsidy breakdown, new reporting requirements, funding requirements, required changes and implementation issues. This session also will cover HIPAA changes, the transit increase and health information technology reform. Industry experts Sharon Alt and Eric Johnson will present this session on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2 at Benefits Selling Expo.

"This session couldn't be more timely - or more relevant," said Denis Storey, editor of Benefits Selling. "We're all worried enough about where the industry is headed and we owe it to our attendees to offer the first critical look at how this historic legislation changes the playing field."

For more information or to register to attend the Expo, visit www.BenefitsSellingExpo.com or call 888-831-8333.

Benefits Selling Expo is sponsored by Benefits Selling, a monthly publication by Summit Business Media that provides marketing resources for the industry's top benefits brokers.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

Benefits Selling Expo Announces Dan Norman, Gil Lowerre and Pat Buchanan to Keynote Event

Centennial, CO, March 3, 2009 — Benefits Selling Expo 2009, hosted by Benefits Selling, announced this year's keynote lineup, which includes Dan Norman, Gil Lowerre and Pat Buchanan.

Benefits Selling Expo, in its fifth year, features three days of educational sessions that provide sales and marketing information for employee benefits brokers, as well as networking opportunities and packed exhibit hall. Benefits Selling Expo will be held April 1-3 in Austin.

"Every year we try to raise the bar a little higher, and this time we've really outdone ourselves," said Denis Storey, editor of Benefits Selling. "I've never been more excited about our lineup of keynote speakers. We've got a sales guru to get everyone fired up, a numbers genius to raise the level of industry education and a national political figure to send everyone home with some unique insight."

Dan Norman of Top Ten Selling will kick-off the Expo with his speech about seven fundamental skills that will improve sales results immediately. Norman is a sales performance expert with more than 25 years experience in senior sales and general management positions with Fortune 100 companies. He is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.

Gil Lowerre of East Bridge Consulting Group will address the dramatically shifting benefits business and provide an entirely new set of rules for anyone wanting to get into the voluntary game. At his keynote, on Thursday, April 2 at 10:15 a.m., Lowerre will share some of the latest research and explain the new age of voluntary benefits while breaking down the gap between the broker's traditional approach and employer expectation.

Pat Buchanan will close the conference by speaking to the changes in the benefits business. At his keynote address, at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 3, this political insider will share his views on what brokers should be prepared for over the next four years.

For more information or to register to attend the Expo, visit www.BenefitsSellingExpo.com or call 888-831-8333.

Benefits Selling Expo is sponsored by Benefits Selling, a monthly publication by Summit Business Media that provides marketing resources for the industry's top benefits brokers.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

Health Benefits Marketplace Research Study Results Announced at Benefits Selling Expo 2009

Centennial, CO, February 17, 2009 — Benefits Selling Expo 2009, hosted by Benefits Selling, announced that Benefits Selling editor Denis Storey and Michael Main of Oliver Wyman will unveil the results of thesecond annual joint Health Benefits Marketplace Research Study at Benefits Selling Expo 2009.

This study asks benefits brokers about the impact of the economic downturn on an already struggling health care market place. Questions about the current market climate include political and legislative changes, demographic shifts, and the economy. Respondents also describe their clients' cost containment strategies in the health benefits marketplace and their employee health engagement tactics.

The annual health care study will provide Expo attendees and brokers with information about key issues influencing the health benefits market including where brokers see the market heading, what concerns brokers most, and much more. Survey results will help brokers across the country manage the current economic climate's affects on the benefits industry, and will be featured in the May issue of Benefits Selling magazine.

"This survey is truly one-of-a-kind in that we talk to the everyday brokers about how things are," said Denis Storey, editor of Benefits Selling. "Quite simply, it's a honest, unedited check of the industry's pulse."

Benefits Selling Expo, in its fifth year, features three days of educational sessions that provide benefits brokers and agents the sales and marketing information to sell more group, voluntary, and retirement products, as well as networking opportunities and a packed exhibit hall. Benefits Selling Expo will be held April 1-3 in Austin.

For more information or to register to attend the Expo, visit www.BenefitsSellingExpo.com or call 888-831-8333.

Benefits Selling Expo is sponsored by Benefits Selling, a monthly publication by Summit Business Media that provides marketing resources for the industry's top benefits brokers.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

CE Credited Pre-Conference at Benefits Selling Expo 2009

Centennial, CO, November 12, 2008 — Benefits Selling Expo 2009, hosted by Benefits Selling, announced that the CDHC CE-credited pre-conference is back by popular demand. In addition, the Expo will host a new wellness CE-credited course.

Benefits Selling Expo, in its fifth year, features three days of educational sessions that provide benefits brokers and agents the sales and marketing information to sell more group, voluntary, and retirement products, as well as networking opportunities and a packed exhibit hall. Benefits Selling Expo will be held April 1-3 in Austin.

The CDHC-certified pre-conference course, presented by NAHU, will cover the rules and regulations pertaining to various types of consumer-directed health care options and provide proven methods for communicating these options to employers and employees. Sharon Alt, president of Alt Benefit Consultants and former host of Internet radio show "The Benefits Buzz," will teach this course. This is a must-attend session for brokers, advisors, and agents looking for more information regarding CDHC options. The session is approved for four hours of insurance continuing education.

In addition, the Expo will offer a wellness certification pre-conference course. This course, also presented by NAHU will provide a comprehensive overview addressing how to communicate the need for wellness and prevention, how to demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs, implementation, compliance and legal issues. Steve Dodder, Assurant Health Regional Sales Director and My Wellchoice+ Business Development Officer, will teach this course. This session is approved for two hours of insurance continuing education credit.

"We're really excited that we're offering not one, but two, pre-conference CE courses this year and at time when continuing education couldn't be more important," Benefits Selling Editor Denis Storey said. "We're also thrilled to have a couple of all-stars teaching them."

For more information or to register to attend the Expo, visit www.BenefitsSellingExpo.com or call 888-831-8333.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

Pat Buchanan to Speak at Benefits Selling Expo

Centennial, CO, October 22, 2008 — Benefits Selling Expo 2009, hosted by Benefits Selling, announced the addition of conservative icon Pat Buchanan, one-time presidential candidate and CNN pundit, to its content lineup.

Benefits Selling Expo, in its fifth year, features three days of educational sessions that provide sales and marketing information for employee benefits brokers, as well as networking opportunities and packed exhibit hall. Benefits Selling Expo will be held April 1-3 in Austin.

Buchanan, in a closing keynote address, will speak to the changes in the benefits business following the inauguration of a new president. This political insider will share his views on what brokers should be prepared for over the next four years.

"There's little doubt -- as evidenced by his recent comments about Colin Powell -- that Pat Buchanan remains an important, polarizing figure in American politics. And while his role has shifted from player to pundit, his opinions are as dynamic today as they were 20 years ago," Benefits Selling Editor Denis Storey said.

For more information or to register to attend the Expo, visit www.BenefitsSellingExpo.com or call 888-880-8218.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

Summit Business Media Acquires WiesnerMedia's Financial Group
Expands Its B2B Media Footprint with Insurance and Financial Advisors and Provides New Access to the Fast-Growing Group Benefits Segment

New York, N.Y. - July 16, 2008 - Summit Business Media today announced the acquisition of WiesnerMedia's Financial Group of B2B media and marketing services, including Senior Market Advisor, Boomer Market Advisor, Benefits Selling and Bank Advisor magazines, as well as ProducersWEB.com, the fast-growing online destination for insurance agents. The transaction is Summit's fourth major acquisition since being formed in November 2006 and its seventh overall since its inception.

The group's products and services provide information on sales, marketing and best practice techniques for insurance, financial, benefits and bank advisors. In addition to the publications and ProducersWEB.com, the transaction also includes Advisors Data Source, a comprehensive database with 2 million agent and advisor names, and two leading industry events, Benefits Selling Expo and Senior Market Advisor Expo.

"This acquisition of one of the last significant independent financial and insurance publishers substantially increases our penetration of the life insurance and financial advisor markets, two of our core segments, while providing access to the benefits advisor market, one of the fastest-growing segments in the financial services marketplace," said William F. Reilly, Chairman and CEO of Summit.

As a result of this acquisition, Summit will offer more readers more high quality products and services, and provide marketers with even more comprehensive and measurable ways to build their businesses.

Andrew L. Goodenough, Summit's President, added, "These assets compliment Summit's existing B2B media platform, now with 25 magazine titles, 150 reference books and electronic products, and 100 live events. The WiesnerMedia properties further strengthen our market position in the `independent retail financial distribution' sector, which we believe is a long-term, inexorable trend, as most major financial providers continue to outsource sales to independent agents and advisors."

Dan Wiesner, CEO of WiesnerMedia LLC, commented, "Since the launch of Senior Market Advisor in 2000, our publishing teams have developed successful products and services to serve the financial markets. Now, teamed up with Summit, these professionals have access to world-class resources and the opportunity to continue expanding their brands and innovating for customers."

Headquartered in Denver, the new Summit properties will report to Tom Fowler, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Summit's Media Division. Betsy Kominsky, who had been Vice President/Publishing Director at WiesnerMedia, becomes Vice President/Group Publisher of Summit's Market Advisor Group and now reports to Fowler. Jeff Schottland, Vice President and Director of ProducersWEB.com out of Philadelphia, will also report to Fowler.

"Working with the support of Wind Point Partners, our private equity investor, we will continue to make appropriate investments to advance Summit's growth strategy," said Goodenough. "While strategic follow-on acquisitions will remain an important part of that strategy, especially in live event, data, reference and electronic arenas, we believe the platform we have continues to have strong organic growth potential. This growth is coming not only online, where in the first half of 2008 Summit has grown more than 50% over last year, but also in print, where the WiesnerMedia magazines have exhibited strong growth characteristics."

Media Resource Group (www.media-resource.com) represented WiesnerMedia, LLC in this transaction and acted as its exclusive financial advisor. Founded by Steve Rosenfield in 1995, MRG is a leading independent advisory group serving the media and information industries.

About Summit Business Media
Summit Business Media was formed through Wind Point Partners' acquisition of Highline Media and Pfingsten Publishing in November 2006. The leading B2B media and information company for the insurance, investment and professional services markets, Summit publishes the insurance titles National Underwriter Property/Casualty and Life/Health weeklies, Life Insurance Selling, Agent Sales Journal, American Agent & Broker, Claims, Tech Decisions and Florida Underwriter, and financial titles Wealth Manager, Research, Futures and Mortgage Originator. In July 2007 the Company acquired Wicks Business Information, and added Investment Advisor, Credit Union Times, Inside Counsel and Treasury & Risk magazines, continuing to expand its footprint in the financial industry as well as adding the legal and accounting markets, as part of its growth into the professional services marketplace. In the Reference arena, the company publishes TaxFacts and Fire, Casualty and Surety Bulletins, and, through its Highline Data unit, financial and market information on insurers, agents and company benefit plans. Summit also sponsors the International Investment Conferences on global mining investment, a dozen conference events affiliated with its magazine brands, and via its Executive Enterprises unit, nearly 100 professional education seminars annually.

Summit is also one of the leading organizers of consumer art expositions and providers of business-to-business information to the art market.

Nearly all products are available online as well as in print. Additional information about Summit is available at www.summitbusinessmedia.com.

About WiesnerMedia
Established in 1980, WiesnerMedia, LLC is one of Colorado's leading independent media companies. Colorado Biz is the state's 35 year-old publication serving business executives charged with leading the company's growth initiatives. Trucking Times serves retailers, warehouse distributors, jobbers, and other industry observers in the light-truck and SUV accessory aftermarket. Corporate Apparel is dedicated to corporate buyers of branded apparel. WiesnerMedia's Custom Publishing Group is acclaimed for its quality publications, customer service and innovative marketing solutions. Additional information is available at www.wiesnermedia.com.

About Wind Point Partners®
Wind Point Partners is a private equity investment firm with approximately $2 billion of capital under management. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber management teams to acquire middle market businesses where we can establish a clear path to value creation. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.

 

Benefits Selling Announces the Launch of New Website

Centennial, CO, June 23, 2008 — Benefits Selling published by WiesnerMedia Financial Group, announced the launch of a new Website: www.BenefitsSellingMag.com. The goal for the new launch is to create an extension of the magazine online - providing a go-to authority for brokers and agents selling core, voluntary and retirement products.

"There has been a growing demand from our readers and advertisers for a dedicated and enhanced Benefits Selling Website," said Tamara Patterson, publisher of Benefits Selling. "We wanted our Website to be a true extension of the magazine, providing a high level of editorial content, as well as give our readers the opportunity to interact directly with our editor, columnists and other industry experts. Our advertisers will also have a new way to reach the top benefits brokers and agents in the industry."

Features of the new Website include:

• Daily News: The latest news from around the benefits market that directly affects your business.
• Blog with online columnists: Magazine and online only columnists share their industry insight.
• People Watch: Catch up on industry personnel. Find out who's gone to work where, who's been promoted and who's newsworthy.

The Website also includes new search functionality, updated video, audio, RSS feeds, and introduces new marketing vehicles for advertisers such as video, audio and sponsorship packages.

"We are excited about the new opportunities the Benefits Selling Website will bring to both users and advertisers. The site will hopefully become the number one online resource for benefits professionals interested in enhancing and building their business," said Joe Haddock, vice president of branded eMedia.

To see the new site, visit www.BenefitsSellingMag.com.

Contact: Tamara Patterson
Benefits Selling
Publisher
720-895-4988
tpatterson@benefitssellingmag.com

 

WiesnerMedia Appoints Joseph Haddock Vice President Branded Emedia

Centennial, CO, January 9, 2008 — WiesnerMedia Financial Group, a division of WiesnerMedia, LLC, announced that Joe Haddock, a veteran emedia and publishing executive with deep experience in online strategy and electronic products, has joined the company.

WiesnerMedia Financial Group currently operates leading print and electronic media brands including Senior Market Advisor, Benefits Selling, Boomer Market Advisor, Bank Advisor and the leading online destination for insurance agents and advisors, ProducersWEB.com.

"We're committed to developing innovative products that meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of insurance, benefits and financial advisors and agents. Joe is a perfect fit for our team and he will lead the way as we bring new emedia products to market in the coming months," said Dan Wiesner, CEO.

"The company's numerous market-leading brands are a solid foundation for expansion opportunities. WiesnerMedia's entrepreneurial culture, quality of product and willingness to invest means we'll be able to move quickly. It's a great opportunity and a very exciting company," said Joe Haddock.

Previously, Joe was Vice President of Technology at Wicks Business Information where he was responsible for corporate internet and information technology strategy and development. Previously, he was Senior Director of Development at SourceMedia, where he established and managed a team of programmers, developers and designers who produced over 50 web sites and emedia products.

Joe lives in New York with his wife and three children and will operate out of New York and Denver.

Contact: Betsy Kominsky
Group Vice President
720-895-1530
bkominsky@wiesnermedia.com

 

WiesnerMedia Financial Group Launches eNewsletters

Centennial, CO, December 13, 2007 — WiesnerMedia Financial Group, a division of WiesnerMedia, LLC, announced today the launch of Bank Advisor BULLETIN, Benefits Selling WEEKLY, Boomer Market Advisor WATCH and Senior Market Advisor EXTRA weekly eNewsletters.

The launch of the eNewsletters solidifies WiesnerMedia Financial Group's presence in the eMedia realm. Each week, eNewsletter subscribers will receive timely, original content direct from the editors of each publication. The eNewsletters will cover hot topics in the industry, polls, quick stats and other useful information.

Contact: Betsy Kominsky
Group Vice President
720-895-1530
bkominsky@wiesnermedia.com