Chapter 11 : 2020s
• At the October 2019 Leadership and Development Conference at the Bluemont Hotel in Manhattan , Kristy Wilson served as KAIA ’ s board president for an additional four months .
• The Rural & Small Agents Conference was January 27-30 , 2020 , in Wichita at the DoubleTree Hotel . Speakers included : Kent Anthony , Will Larson , Rusty Deaton , Chris Boggs , and Chris Parsons . Also included in the education sessions was the AFIS designation programs . They were taught by Casey Roberts and Cheryl Koch . Other events included were a Welcome Reception with the exhibitors , a Young Agents Outing , Farmers Alliance Ice Cream Social , and a Hospitality Night with a Cornhole Tournament . Registration exceeded 500 attendees .
• The association worked closely with the Kansas Insurance Department to modernize agent licensing , including : the agency appointment process and fee , increased CE Requirement , and changes in license testing requirements .
• Kansas Legislative Day was March 4 , 2020 at the Kansas Capital Building and the KAIA office , 61 agents attended . The evening reception was held at the Cyrus Hotel where agents were able to visit with their legislators .
• In March of 2020 Kansas was literally shut down when it was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic . As of July 2020 , the State of Kansas is ranked 17th among the most cases in the United States .
• The KAIA ’ s Annual President ’ s Classic was scheduled June 21-22 , 2020 , at the Firekeeper Golf Course but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
• The association worked with individual county leaders and the Governor ’ s office to ensure insurance agencies were considered essential businesses and could remain open during the pandemic .
• The Trusted Choice ® COVID-19 Relief Fund provided nearly $ 21,000 of critical relief to Kansas independent insurance agencies and their owners and employees experiencing economic disruption , loss , or financial distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic .
• Starting in March 2020 , KAIA adapted to meet the needs of members during the pandemic by moving classes and events to a virtual environment .
• In Fall of 2019 , staff held “ KAIA Connects ” events around the state including in Kansas City , Wichita , Hays , and Garden City .
• In February of 2021 , Doug Smart from Smart Insurance in Abilene was installed as President at a virtual annual and legislative update meeting .
• Long time association attorney Will Larson announces plans to fully retire in December of 2021 .
• Beth Smoller was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel in May 2021 .
• The first in-person event since the pandemic hit was the President ’ s Classic Golf Tournament in Salina , April 26-27 , 2021 . The tournament was successful in raising $ 17,000 to support the Young Agents .
100 Years of Service , 1921-2021 77