KAIA: 100 Years of Serving Independent Agents 2021 | Page 51

IIAK and PIAK Consolidation Story
• On January 29 , 1991 , the Executive Committees of IIAK & PIA met to further consolidation talks . PIA stated they would not merge until the national association merge . A steering committee was formed in February 1992 to handle the issues of consolidation with the PIA . The February 21 , 1992 , Board Meeting was attended by the Board and director of the PIA . A joint letter and magazine article were sent to both organizations to update the members of the consolidation plans .
• The Board Meeting on April 29 , 1992 was with all Board members of both Associations . Joint subcommittees were formed to work through the consolidation issues .
• The Day at the Capitol February 20 , 1992 was also a jointly sponsored event with the PIA . Presidents of both organizations spoke ; PIAK President Jerry Sullivan and IIAK President Bill McBride kicked off the start of the event . Larry Magill was quoted : “ This time , we can speak with one voice on legislative issues and provide a great show of strength .”
• September 1 , 1992 was the date the consolidation between IIAK and PIA occurred . The merger changed the name of the association to Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas ( PIIAK ). The Presidents-Elect of both associations , Keith Maloney and Don Graves , signed the documents to finalize the consolidation proceedings . Kansas was proud to be the sixth state to consolidate .
• The newly formed organization had a total of 729 members . Larry Magill , executive vice president of IIAK , became the executive vice president of PIIAK . Dorothy Taylor , director of PIAK , became the vice president of member services . All operations and blended staff moved to the ( former ) IIAK building at 815 SW Topeka Blvd .
• The September / October 1992 issue of the magazine was the first consolidated issue . The magazine was renamed Kansas Insurance Agent & Broker ( KIA & B ).
• The first PIIAK convention was held in Kansas City at the Westin Crown Center , October 18-20 , 1992 . The theme was Winning Together . Registration was at an all-time high by both agents and company representatives . The trade show included 48 company and vendor exhibitors , also setting a new record . Speakers included : Ron Todd , Kansas insurance commissioner ; Rick Gustafson , IIAA president ; Jerry Hargrove , NAPIA president-elect ; and Dr . William T Vericker , president of Vericker & Associates .
• National PIA broke off consolidation talks in September 1992 . As of April , they had not begun the disaffiliation proceedings against Kansas . A letter was sent to all members to inform them of the disaffiliation . PIIAK had to change its name as demanded by the PIA National Association .
With the disaffiliation of PIA and the legal difficulties with using the former name , the Board of Directors and membership voted at its October 1993 Annual Business Meeting to change the name to Kansas Association of Insurance Agents . The January / February 1994 issue of KIA & B magazine ran an article announcing the new association name as the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents ( KAIA ). KAIA remained affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents of America .
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