National Association of Surety Bond Producers

2010 Annual Meeting

April 25 - 28, Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio, TX

Dear Colleague:

Please mark your calendar for the 2010 Annual Meeting & Expo to be held at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas, April 25-28.

The theme for my year as President is "Fulfillment through Participation" and attending NASBP's Annual Meeting should be the centerpiece of any surety professional's participation in industry events. It is at the Annual Meeting that all of the past year's accomplishments are reviewed and the agenda for the coming year is set. It is also the place where we have an opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues and build the friendships that we will enjoy throughout our careers.

This year we have an exciting lineup of presentations that highlight the challenges and opportunities for the coming year. Bill Berkley, Chairman and CEO of the W.R. Berkley Corporation, will share his unique perspective on the business environment as well as the surety industry. In addition, we will have sessions on Commercial Surety, Claims, Surety Advocacy and we'll round out the program with a panel of contractors who will share their views on the state of the construction industry and the surety product.

We have reformatted this year's program to incorporate the industry awards and installation of new officers into Tuesday's programming. This way we will make the program more streamlined and allow participants to leave first thing in the morning on Wednesday, if their travel schedule requires them to do so. For those leaving later in the day, we will offer a continental breakfast and informal networking opportunity on Wednesday morning.

Situated on the highest point in San Antonio, the Westin La Cantera Resort offers fantastic views of the legendary Texas Hill Country. With a world-class spa, a championship golf course that was designed by Arnold Palmer, and every other amenity you could possibly want, the resort has something for everyone in the family.

Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to participate in your industry. I encourage you to take a moment today to register for this year's meeting. I look forward to seeing you in San Antonio.

Best regards,

Todd P. Loehnert
NASBP President

	2010 Annual Meeting Program Committee
	Bob McLendon, Co-Chair Fisher-Brown, Inc.
	Stephen A. Spencer, Co-Chair Insurance Associates, Inc.
	Bradley S. Babcock The Forker Company
	John Bustard King and Neel, Inc.
	David A. Castillo Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
	Thomas P. Durkin Durkin & DeVries Insurance Agency
	Scott T. Hoffman First Niagara Risk Management, Inc.
	Lawrence F. McMahon Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
	Thomas M. Padilla Manuel Lujan Insurance, Inc.
	John Sanders Zurich Surety

Schedule of Events

Saturday, April 24
8:00 am - 12:00 pm	Executive Committee Meeting
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Committee Meetings
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Directors' Meeting, Committee Chairs' Meeting & RVPs' Meeting

Sunday, April 25
8:30 am - 11:30 am	Board of Directors' Meeting
11:00 am - 5:00 pm	NASBP Registration Desk Open
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Welcome Reception

Monday, April 26
7:00 am - 12:00 pm	NASBP Registration Desk Open
7:00 am - 8:00 am	Continental Breakfast in Expo
7:00 am - 8:00 am	Expo Open
8:00 am - 10:00 am	General Session
	Welcome and Opening Ceremony
	Annual Meeting Program Committee Co-Chairs
	President's Address
	Todd P. Loehnert, NASBP President
	Keynote Address
	Bill Berkley, Chairman and CEO of the W.R. Berkley Corporation
	Mr. Berkley will discuss the current state of the economy and how the Surety Industry will be impacted in the year ahead.
10:00 am - 10:30 am	Refreshment Break in Expo Hall
10:00 am - 1:00 pm	Expo Open
10:30 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Sessions
	Breakout Session #1
	"Finding Easy Money with Commercial Surety"
	Panelists: Paul D. Amstutz, Roanoke Trade Services, Inc. Bob Baker, Liberty Mutual Surety John Charlton, Maston-Charlton Surety Group
	Commercial surety is often misunderstood by the broader surety industry. Did you know that agents have the authority to issue the majority of commercial bonds? And that the commissions for commercial bonds are generally higher than those for contract bonds? Are there commercial bonds opportunities that you are missing with existing clients? This session will explore the many opportunities you have to grow your commercial surety book and the management commitment that is required to make it a sustainable line of business for your agency.
	Breakout Session #2
	"Anatomy of a Surety Claim"
	Moderator: John Bustard, King & Neel, Inc. Panelists: Tracey Haley, Zurich Surety Courtney McKendrick, Cokinos Bosien & Young Rick Steed, Coats Rose
	Have you ever wondered where you fit in the claims process, how your clients view your role, or how you can play a more constructive role in the process? This session will breakdown the claims process from the owner's, contractor's, producer's and surety's point of view. The panelists will give their insight into why claims happen, how they are handled, and how the process can be improved by better communication between all the players.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch in Expo
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Tennis Tournament @ Dominion Tennis Club
	Transportation and box lunches provided
Evening	Affiliate Entertaining

Tuesday, April 27
7:00 am - 11:00 am	NASBP Registration Desk Open
7:00 am - 8:00 am	Continental Breakfast in Expo
7:00 am - 8:00 am	Expo Open
8:00 am - 10:00 am	General Session
	NASBP Leadership and SIO Awards Program
	Todd P. Loehnert, NASBP President J. Spencer Miller, NASBP 1st Vice President Carl Edward Dohn, NASBP 3rd Vice President
	NASBP CEO Address
	Mark H. McCallum, NASBP Chief Executive Officer
	"Surety Advocacy: How You Can be Part of the Solution"
	Moderator: Thomas M. Padilla, Manuel Lujan Insurance, Inc.
	Panelists: Alice Molasky-Arman, Former Nevada Commissioner of Insurance Panel to be finalized
	Since the Miller Act and the Little Miller Acts at the State level in 1935, the surety product has been continually challenged in state legislatures and in the U.S. Congress and subject to varied interpretations by regulators. Waiving of surety bonding requirements have been proposed in times of war, recession, and to promote disadvantaged contractors' participation on State or Federal construction projects. Thresholds have been raised, and in extreme cases it has been suggested that the surety product be abolished altogether. Our industry needs to be tireless in its commitment to surety advocacy. What legislators and regulators do not know about the surety product can jeopardize our industry. Regulators and lawmakers will discuss their perspectives on the surety product and what they see as the most critical issues facing the industry in today's environment and how NASBP members can play an active role in the advocacy process.
9:30 am - 10:30 am	Spouse/Guest Event - Brunch and Entertainment
10:00 am - 10:30 am	Refreshment Break in Expo
10:00 am - 10:30 am	Expo Open
10:30 am - 12:00 pm	General Session
	"What's Happening in the Construction Industry"
	Moderator: Susan Hecker, Gallagher Construction Services
	Panelists: Jeff Hoopes, Swinerton Inc. Sam Howard, Trace Creek Construction Jack Lowe, TD Industries
	The construction industry is in the middle of one of the most arduous cycles we have seen in our careers. Some of the issues the industry is facing are the more than 1,000,000 construction jobs lost, the challenge of managing overhead to a moving/unknown target, the chase to procure good profitable work, new contractor entries to the different environment of Federal contracting, and the evaluation and evolution of managing increasing risk in the work. One thing is certain, 2010 is going to present a challenge to all of us. In this session three construction executives will share their insights into the current environment and what they see for the future.
12:30 pm - 5:30 pm	Golf Tournament at Westin La Cantera Courses
	Thomas P. Durkin, NASBP Golf Chair
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm	Cocktail Reception
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm	Final Banquet Dinner with Entertainment

Wednesday, April 28	(Please note new format for Wednesday)
8:00 am - 10:00 am	Farewell Continental Breakfast
Departure

Hotel Information

Westin la Cantera Resort
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
Phone: (210) 558-6500 / (210) 558-2400

This four diamond resort is located in the Texas Hill Country of San Antonio. Six swimming pools, a world class spa, and championship golf courses are just a few of the features of the Westin La Cantera Resort. NASBP will provide a daily shuttle service to the San Antonio Riverwalk located in the heart of the city.

Standard Room - $249 Single/Double. plus applicable taxes, there is also a daily resort charge of $10.00 which includes fitness center access, in-room coffee service, local and toll free phone calls, daily newspaper delivery and shuttle service within the resort to the Palmer golf course, Six Flags Theme Park, and the "Shops at La Cantera" – The NASBP room rate will be available from April 22 to April 29, 2010 - subject to availability.

To make reservations, contact the Westin La Cantera at (210) 558-6500 and mention you will be attending the NASBP Annual Meeting. Even though NASBP has a block of rooms available at the special NASBP group rate, these rooms could sell out before the room cut-off date of Monday March 29, 2010. Since rooms are held on a first-come, first-served basis, NASBP cannot guarantee an accommodation once the room block is sold out. To avoid disappointment, please call immediately to reserve your hotel room. A one night deposit is required at time of making the reservation. This deposit will not be refunded if the reservation is cancelled less than 72 hours prior to check-in.

Getting to San Antonio

The Westin La Cantera is located 12 miles from the the San Antonio International Airport and 15 miles from downtown San Antonio, Texas.

Transportation

The hotel offers Self and Valet Parking, and Rental Cars, Taxis and Airport Shuttles are available from the San Antonio International Airport.

Golf Tournament

The NASBP Golf Tournament is scheduled on Tuesday, April 27 at 1:00 pm. Both courses are located on-site at the Westin La Cantera. If you plan to play with a specific foursome, include the names of your foursome on the Meeting Registration Form. Foursome requests should be made no later than April 5, 2010.

Register early, since both courses have limited space and golfers will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.

The Tournament Fee for the Palmer Course at La Cantera and the La Cantera Golf Course is $185. Tournament fees include tournament coordination, range balls, a boxed lunch with water, golf carts, and prizes. The Palmer Course will have an Individual Play Tournament and the La Cantera Course will have a Four Ball Scramble format. Clubs are available for rental, at the pro-shop on day of play.

Tournament Cancellation Policy: Golf cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00pm on Monday March 22, 2010 at csims@nasbp.org or via fax at 202-686-3656. Any Golf Tournament cancellations received after March 24th will only be refunded if another player fills the space. Refunds will be issued after the meeting.

Additional Golf Tee Times: Tee times have been reserved exclusively for NASBP at the resort courses for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tee times will be available in early 2010.

FAQs

Q: How do I register to attend the NASBP Annual Meeting?

A: You can register in two ways:

Register online: CLICK HERE
Fill out and fax back the registration form in the brochure: COMING SOON

Q: What’s the deadline for registration?

A: There is no deadline to register for the NASBP Annual Meeting, but you will not be eligible to receive the special room rate at the Westin La Cantera after March 29, 2010.

Q: What does my registration fee include?

A: The only events listed in the Program for which there are additional fees are the Tennis and Golf Tournaments. See the brochure for details: COMING SOON

Q: Can I bring a guest to Annual Meeting?

A: Your spouse, significant other, or non-surety-industry-employed person may register to accompany you for a fee: CLICK HERE

Q: What happens if I need to cancel my registration?

A: Registration cancellation policy: All cancellations must be sent in writing to NASBP at csims@nasbp.org or via fax at (202) 686-3656. For a full refund, a written cancellation must be received 30 calendar days prior to the start of the meeting. Cancellations received between 15 – 29 days prior to the meeting are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations received in less than 15 calendar days prior to the meeting are not eligible for refunds.

Q: How do I register to stay at the Westin La Cantera Resort and what are the prices and deadlines to reserve a room?

A: See hotel information here: HOTEL INFO

Q: What happens if I cancel my reservation at Westin La Cantera Resort?

A: One night deposit is required at the time you make the reservation. This deposit will not be refunded if the reservation is cancelled less than 72 hours prior to your check-in date.

Travel:

Q: What airport should I fly in to?

A: The Westin La Cantera is located 12 miles from the The San Antonio International Airport.

Q: How do I get from the airport to the Westin La Cantera and what will it cost?

A: Taxis and rental cars are available at the San Antonio International Airport. The taxi fare is approximately $40.00.

Q: What will the weather be like in San Antonio in late April?

A: The average highs are in the mid 80s F and lows in the low 60s F with a low probability of rain.

At the NASBP Annual Meeting:

Q: What should I wear?

A: Business casual or resort wear is appropriate for most of the program. We suggest dressy resort wear for the Welcome Reception and sport coat for gentlemen for the Final Banquet Dinner.

Q: Will I earn CE credits at this event?

A: This event does not confer continuing education credits

Q: When does the event begin and end?

A: Registration opens Sunday, April 25 at 11:00 am and the Welcome Reception begins that evening at 6pm. The meeting will close with a farewell continental breakfast on Wednesday, April 28. NASBP committee meetings are on Saturday and Sunday. Please check the schedule for details: SCHEDULE

Sponsorship:

Q: How can my company become a sponsor of the NASBP Annual Meeting?

A: Contact Bethany Hillinger bhillinger@nasbp.org if you would like to sponsor.

Exhihibits:

Q: How can my company exhibit at the NASBP Annual Meeting?

A: Contact Dave Golden dgolden@nasbp.org for information on available exhibit space.

Print This Page	Email this page	Advanced Search	Terms of Use	Contact NASBP
Copyright 2007 © National Association of Surety Bond Producers. Headquarters: 1828 L Street, NW. Suite 720. Washington, DC 20036-5104. Phone: (202)686-3700. Fax: (202)686-3656.