BIBA may mean different things to different people, but for ARAG’s Head of Sales, Andy Talbot, the conference and exhibition is all about the conversation.
It may not be particularly fashionable outside the insurance world, but I’m a big fan of the BIBA conference - does that make me a ‘Bel-IBA’? I really look forward to this time of year, as we’re finalising our plans for what are always two of the most important days in the insurance calendar.
But I also understand that the conference and exhibition mean different things to different businesses.
For some, it’s simply an opportunity to see and be seen, to walk the temporary corridors of Manchester Central catching-up with old industry contacts. For others, the conference will not be a success unless everyone in the team has ticked off at least twenty meetings each and walked away with the ink drying on some juicy deals. Either way, it’s all about the conversation.
The exhibition stands are equally diverse. From the sprawling structures of the big insurers, to the familiar pop-ups that may have seen 4 or 5 years’ service. Neither one is necessarily better than the other. What matters is what works for your business. Whether you have to share space with a friendly supplier or only have the budget for a few posters on the walls of your 3m2, if you leave the exhibition hall on Thursday afternoon having achieved the goals you set, then BIBA will have been worth it.
What helps is having something new to talk to delegates about.
ARAG isn’t the sort of company to rush a product out just for a conference, nor would we hold something back from our customers, just to make a big splash. But we’re lucky this year that BIBA pretty much coincides with the relaunch of our flagship commercial policy.
As a company that tries to lead all our markets by delivering the very best products in every category, innovation is high on our agenda. It’s not enough for our product developers just to keep pace with changing legislation. Our brokers have come to expect a bit more, which is why we work so hard to come up with something different, something extra, something that their clients will really appreciate.
Last relaunch, we introduced crisis communications cover to help businesses facing negative media coverage. I might get into trouble if I say to much about our latest commercial product here, before the official relaunch, but let’s just say that this is the year that commercial legal protection gets personal.
Besides, it’ll give us all something to talk about in Manchester.
See you there.
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