IIABSC 2025 Annual Convention Report
Awards presented at IIABSC Annual Convention held Oct. 12-14 at the Westin Resort & Spa on Hilton Head Island, SC
Several important industry leaders were honored during the awards banquet at the 127th Annual Convention held Oct. 12-14 at the Westin Resort & Spa on Hilton Head Island, SC. Robbie Nalley of Sumter, SC, was installed as Chair of the Board. Gus Brabham of Columbia, SC, was also installed on the Executive Committee and Barbie Bradham of Conway, SC, Gilly Dotterer of Summerville, SC, and John Spence of Charleston, SC, as Board Directors. Bill Fuge, CIC, of Bluffton, SC, was named the Hayne P. Glover, Jr. Agent of the Year. Cait Collins, CBIA, of Greenville, SC, was named the IIABSC Young Agent of the Year. Phillip Wright of Smart Choice Agents was named the IIABSC Industry Person of the Year. Tammie Blackwood, CIC, CISR Elite, of Gaffney, SC, was recognized as the SC Outstanding CSR of the Year. IIABSC Past Chair Ashley Brady, CIC, was recognized for his service to IIABSC with a Citation from Chair Robbie Nalley. Find full convention report on our event homepage. Photos and webcast archives also available. (+ More...)
Pledge to join 2026 Palmetto Partners program
Support the association year-round to receive special benefits; pledge deadline Dec. 30
IIABSC has released the full pledge packet and is now accepting pledges to next year's Palmetto Partners program, which was created for those supporting our association's events on an ongoing basis. It guarantees high-profile exposure to agency members and other benefits. There are six levels of participation in order to work with every budget. Pledge deadline is Dec. 30; payment deadline is Jan. 30. Download full information packet or fillable pledge form from our Partners webpage. (+ More...)
Welcome New Members
AKH Insurance
Columbia, SC
Avex Insurance, LLC
Bluffton, SC
McIntosh Insurance
Central, SC
Riggs Insurance Group
Mount Pleasant, SC
IIABSC Foundation Scholarship 2026 application now available
Contribute to IIABSC Foundation, scholarship application deadline March 1
IIABSC Foundation's scholarship program exclusively for students whose parents work for IIABSC member agencies is now accepting applications for 2026 awards. Scholarships will be $2,000 each for one year. Up to eight scholarships will be awarded, and recipients are eligible to re-apply in future years. Application and full eligibility guidelines are available on our IIABSC Foundation webpage. Please also consider a tax-deductible donation to our Foundation to support the charitable, educational, public safety and scientific endeavors supporting the industry in our state. (+ More...)
Read the latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine
Fall 2025 edition features 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year
The latest edition of SC Agent & Broker magazine is hitting mailboxes, but you can also read it online. Our fall edition spotlights the 2025 SC Outstanding CSR of the Year, the South Carolina Market Share Report and recaps the Women's EmpowerHer Conference as well as Young Agents local events and summer GIVE movement. It also features articles on tech stack essentials, metrics that matter, strategies for increasing agency value and E&O implications of using AI in in your agency. (+ More...)
Agency Compensation 360 – you must participate to view final results
Your participation ensures access to real independent agency specific salary & other compensation data results summary
Your agency is running out of time to participate in Agency Compensation 360, the first-ever, multi-state compensation survey built specifically for independent insurance agencies. Powered by Big "I" state associations, this isn’t just another generic industry report – it’s your chance to get real, independent agency-specific salary, benefits, and commission data that you can actually use. By taking the survey, you get free access to the interactive dashboard when results go live next month. The more agents who take the survey, the more powerful and accurate the results will be. Your input will help create a more robust, insightful Agency Compensation 360 dashboard that benefits you and the entire independent agency community. (+ More...)
Trusted Choice: Get found on Small Business Saturday
Find resources to participate in Trusted Choice "Choose Local" campaign
This Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29), Trusted Choice is teaming up with independent insurance agencies and other partners to help spread the word and show our thanks and continued support for not only small businesses, but the agents who insure and support them. Use these free resources (FREE "choose local badge" window cling and customizable print, digital, video and social ads) at the Big “I” and Trusted Choice to spread the word on your agency’s channels and promote the Choose Local campaign. To guarantee delivery in time, please submit requests as early as possible. Agents are also encouraged to use this campaign year-round. (+ More...)
SOCIAL MEDIA: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Resources for social media/newsletter content on cyber defense
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, sponsored by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency of the federal government and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Use resources found on the national website (including social media elements) to help your clients stay safe online. This year they are launching a campaign that will focus on the government entities and small and medium businesses that are vital to protecting the systems and services that sustain us every day and make America a great place to live and do business: the nation’s critical infrastructure. (+ More...)
See also: Trusted Choice customizable "Insurance Explained" video series (includes Cyber Liability Protection)
Use ABEN discount code for 25% off
Use code Fall25 at checkout
Use discount code "Fall25" at checkout for 25 percent off our entire ABEN catalog at iiabsc.aben.tv. Discount cannot be applied to bundled courses. Courses are available live or on-demand and can be browsed by category or by broadcast date. (+ More...)
Use My Agency Campus discount code for 20% off
Use code FALL2025 at checkout
Use discount code "FALL2025" at checkout for 20 percent off your purchase at My Agency Campus. MAC courses are on demand, cost effective and measurable insurance training coverage for your team. Great for new employees and emerging leaders. (+ More...)