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2015 Advanced Sales Forum

Engage, Connect, Succeed

8/3/2015 - 8/5/2015
Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, Coronado, CA

Overview

Who Attends

Advanced sales and marketing executives, CMOs, sales officers, BGAs, IMOs, and estate planning specialists with accountability for serving individual markets.

Highlights

Your success requires insight into the issues that matter most to you. At LIMRA's 2015 Advanced Sales Forum, you'll learn the latest techniques to drive profitable growth and find new opportunities. With information, insights, and strategies for increased marketing effectiveness, attend the conference and hear leading-edge ideas from peers and experts to help you improve your business. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and the power to connect, the forum will give you the edge you need to succeed. There will be plenty of opportunities to reconnect, learn, and ignite your passion for what you do at LIMRA’s 2015 Advanced Sales Forum, the only event of its kind for advanced sales professionals.

Speakers

Bill Bell, J.D.
Assistant Vice President, Advanced Designs Unit, Pacific Life Insurance Company
  • Wednesday, August 5, 2015

    10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION VIII

Bill Bell, J.D.

Assistant Vice President, Advanced Designs Unit, Pacific Life Insurance Company

Bill Bell is a director of Pacific Life’s Advanced Designs Unit, a highly recognized team of advanced marketing experts for the life insurance industry. Bill has delivered presentations to prestigious life insurance producer groups and financial institutions, and has been featured in and written articles for widely-read publications like National Underwriter and Best’s Review. Bill joined Pacific Life’s Advanced Designs unit in 2003. Bill received his law degree and MBA from Pepperdine University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California at Santa Barbara. 
Michael Bitton, CFP, CLU, RICP, MSFS
Regional Director, Advanced Sales Center, MetLife
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: OPENING WELCOME
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.: GENERAL SESSION VI

Michael Bitton, CFP, CLU, RICP, MSFS

Regional Director, Advanced Sales Center, MetLife

Michael Bitton joined MetLife Investors in 2002 as an Internal Sales Associate. Michael was promoted to take on the new role of Advanced Sales Consultant with the Wealth Advisory Group (a predecessor to the Advanced Sales Center) in 2004.  He was promoted to Director in 2007. Michael is a subject matter expert and has presented on a variety of advanced sales concepts including: retirement income planning, financial planning, estate planning and continuing education to audiences of financial advisors, sales management, clients, wholesalers, and home office personnel. Michael graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He earned a Master of Science degree in Financial Services through the Institute of Business and Finance.
Lawrence Brody, J.D., LL.M.
Partner, Bryan Cave LLP
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION IV

Lawrence Brody, J.D., LL.M.

Partner, Bryan Cave LLP

Lawrence Brody is a member of the Private Client Service Group and the Technology, Entrepreneurial & Commercial Practice Client Service Group in the Bryan Cave St. Louis office. He is an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, and a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Law School. Brody is the author or co-author of numerous articles and books on the use of life insurance in estate and employee benefit planning. He is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Philip E. Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, of the University of Miami School of Law, and serves on several editorial boards.
Thomas F. Commito, J.D., LL.M., CLU, ChFC, AEP
Director, Sales Concepts, Lincoln Financial Distributors
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION IV

Thomas F. Commito, J.D., LL.M., CLU, ChFC, AEP

Director, Sales Concepts, Lincoln Financial Distributors

Thomas F. Commito is the author of two books, Working with LLCs: A Practitioner’s Guide to Limited Liability Companies and Comprehensive Buy-Sell Agreements, both published by the National Underwriter Company. He writes the column “Accounting and Taxation” in the Journal of Financial Services Professionals, and was formerly an assistant editor for The American Alpine Journal. He has been elected to the Estate Planning Hall of Fame and is a frequent speaker to and a member of several insurance and legal associations.
Patrick J. Dickey
Managing Partner, Tier One Insurance Services Inc.
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: GENERAL SESSION III

Patrick J. Dickey

Managing Partner, Tier One Insurance Services Inc.

Patrick has nearly 20 years of experience in insurance and financial services, with particular experience in BOLI/IOLI, executive benefit planning, and the management of qualified plans. Has worked in the Advanced Markets area and understands the challenges faced by institutional and high net worth clients. Patrick began his insurance career at National Life and Guardian. He is an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of San Francisco (a USF President’s Ambassador).
Claire Durand, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Assistant Vice President, Advanced Marketing, Transamerica
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION I

Claire Durand, CFP, CLU, ChFC

Assistant Vice President, Advanced Marketing, Transamerica

Claire brings a wealth of knowledge to Transamerica, where she takes complicated concepts and gives them a sharp sales focus when consulting with distributors. Claire also shares her expertise about how producers can avoid pitfalls, overcome objections, and keep clients interested. Prior to Transamerica, she held several positions at USAA including Director of the Financial Advice Center. She also spent several years providing financial planning and investment management services to high-net-worth clients. Claire holds a BBA from James Madison University and an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP
Professor and Director of Retirement Planning and Living, Department of Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.: GENERAL SESSION VI

Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP

Professor and Director of Retirement Planning and Living, Department of Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University

Finke served as the editor of the Journal of Personal Finance and is a contributing editor to Research Magazine.  He was named to the 2013 and 2014 Investment Advisor IA25 list and the 2012 Investment News Power 20, and received the Montgomery Warschauer best paper award from the Journal of Financial Planning in 2013 and 2014.
Robert Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Partner, Keebler & Associates, LLP
  • Wednesday, August 5, 2015

    8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION VII

Robert Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA

Partner, Keebler & Associates, LLP

Robert S. Keebler has been named by CPA Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners in the United States and one of the Top 40 Tax Advisors to Know During a Recession.  His practice includes family wealth transfer and preservation planning, charitable giving, retirement distribution planning, and estate administration. Keebler frequently represents clients before the National Office of the IRS and has received more than 150 favorable private letter rulings. He is the author of over 100 articles and columns and is the editor, author or co-author of many books and treatises on wealth transfer and taxation. 
Manuel E. “Manny” Martinez, ChFC
Martinez and Winter
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: GENERAL SESSION III

Manuel E. “Manny” Martinez, ChFC

Martinez and Winter

Manny has been in financial services in the San Diego area for nearly 40 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in 1972, and accredits his industry success and longevity to serving his clients with the utmost integrity and honesty. He’s been married to his wife for 43 years, has two daughters, enjoys winemaking, and plays classical and flamenco guitar.
Eric Mills, J.D., LL.M., CLU
Vice President, Pacific Life Insurance Company
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION I

Eric Mills, J.D., LL.M., CLU

Vice President, Pacific Life Insurance Company

Eric Mills supervises the Advanced Sales Concept marketing for Pacific Life's life insurance products. He entered into the financial services industry in 1982 and joined Pacific Life in 1989 as a Senior Advanced Sales Consultant. Mills has field experience, having worked as an individual producer and in a producer group. His has expertise in non-qualified deferred compensation, estate planning, ERISA, split dollar, business succession, key executive, qualified retirement and welfare benefit plans. He continues to direct continuing education seminars, conduct research and write extensively on federal and state income, gift and estate taxation, as well as estate, business retirement and financial planning.
Stephan Mitchell
Director, Product Marketing, Pacific Life Insurance Company
  • Wednesday, August 5, 2015

    10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION VIII

Stephan Mitchell

Director, Product Marketing, Pacific Life Insurance Company

At Pacific Life, Stephan works with recruiters and producers to provide insights into and suggestions about the positioning, marketing, and development of Indexed UL products. While he spends most of his time in the field to support the company’s distribution channels, he also works in the home office developing products, training, and marketing materials for indexed UL. Stephan joined Pacific Life in 1995. He lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and daughter.
Chris Morton
Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Business Strategy, Association for Advanced Life Underwriting
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION II

Chris Morton

Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Business Strategy, Association for Advanced Life Underwriting

Chris Morton, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Business Strategy, at AALU, acts as a principal liaison to Congress on behalf of the nation’s top life insurance producers and distribution partners, managing all policy development, political engagement, and advocacy strategy for the Association in Washington, DC.

A seasoned Washington professional with over 25 years of experience in the financial services and tax policy arena at the Federal level, Mr. Morton has demonstrated success in numerous legislative and regulatory affairs leadership roles.
Steven J. Oshins, Esq., AEP (Distinguished), J.D.
Attorney, Oshins & Associates, LLC
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.: GENERAL SESSION V

Steven J. Oshins, Esq., AEP (Distinguished), J.D.

Attorney, Oshins & Associates, LLC

Oshins is rated AV by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and twice was named the Las Vegas Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America®.  He was inducted into the NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame® in 2011.  He has been named one of the 24 “Elite Estate Planning Attorneys” in America by The Trust Advisor and one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Worth.
Lisa Harmon Powell, J.D., CLU, ChFC, LLIF
Moderator
Vice President, Advanced Markets, Guardian Life Insurance Company
  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION IV

Lisa Harmon Powell, J.D., CLU, ChFC, LLIF
Moderator

Vice President, Advanced Markets, Guardian Life Insurance Company

Powell heads up the Business Resource Center for Advanced Sales. She is an attorney with over 20 years of experience in taxation, business and estate planning and has supported financial representatives in the Advanced Sales areas at Axa Partners, Jefferson Pilot Financial and Prudential Insurance Company of America, leading the Advanced Marketing Departments at Prudential and Jefferson Pilot. Lisa speaks frequently at producer meetings, and has also spoken at MDRT, AALU and the Forum Four Hundred.
Bobby Samuelson
Vice President, Life Product Development , MetLife
  • Wednesday, August 5, 2015

    10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION VIII

Bobby Samuelson

Vice President, Life Product Development , MetLife

Prior to joining MetLife, Bobby was Executive Editor of the Life Product Review, which offers weekly articles about life insurance issues and reviews of new product offerings. Additionally, Bobby provided consulting services to major life insurers, large distributors, high-end producers, and professional advisors through SamuelsonDesign LLC. Bobby regularly delivers presentations for corporate meetings and industry groups such as AALU, MDRT’s Top of the Table, and the Forum 400. He has written for publications such as Trusts and Estates and the American College’s Wealth Channel Magazine. He has also been quoted in the Life Settlement Review, NAILBA’s Perspectives Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. 
Josh Winslow, J.D.
Assitant Vice President and Associate Counsel, Advanced Markets & Underwriting, John Hancock
  • Monday, August 3, 2015

    9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: GENERAL SESSION I

Josh Winslow, J.D.

Assitant Vice President and Associate Counsel, Advanced Markets & Underwriting, John Hancock

Winslow specializes in working with complex financial and premium-financed cases and issues related to proposed policy ownership and titling scenarios. Prior to joining John Hancock he spent ten years working in financial sales and estate planning as a wholesaler dedicated to developing new producers for a large Mutual Fund and Annuity distributor and he worked in the back office of a large private bank group.

Agenda

Registration

Registration Fees:

Register by July 6 
Early-Bird Rates: 
LIMRA member $1,195
LOMA (but not LIMRA) member $1,795
Nonmember $2,390

Register after July 6 
Standard Rates: 
LIMRA Member $1,345
LOMA (but not LIMRA) member $2,020
Nonmember $2,690

Register by Mail/Fax here.

Quantity Discount

If three or more employees from a member company register for this meeting, each may qualify for a $50 discount. This discount applies only to people registering at the full conference rate. Contact Events Registration at customer.service@limra.com for complete qualifications and details.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received before July 13, 2015, will be refunded, less a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received from July 13, 2015, to July 27, 2015, will be refunded, less a $275 processing and administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after July 27, 2015.

In the event that a scheduled meeting or event is cancelled by LIMRA for any reason, LIMRA shall refund any conference registration fees that have been paid by the registrant. Under no circumstances, however, shall LIMRA be liable to the registrant for any other expenses including, but not limited to, airfare and hotel expenses incurred by the registrant.

Hotel / Venue

Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa
2000 Second St.
Coronado, CA 92118

Book your group rate
Reservations Phone: 800-228-9290 or 619-435-3000 (mention LIMRA Advanced Sales Forum)

Make your reservations by July 6, 2015 and mention the LIMRA Advanced Sales Forum in order to receive the group rate of $259.00 single/double (plus applicable sales taxes). Requests after July 6, 2015 will be accepted on the basis of space availability. The group guest room rate will be offered three days prior and three days after the meeting dates subject to availability.

Please note that hotel rates will go up after the cut-off date or when the meeting room block sells out, whichever comes first.  Make your reservations early to be able to take advantage of our discounted rates.

Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor

Premier Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities Available Now

REGISTER NOW AS AN EXHIBITOR!


Connect With Key Prospects
This conference is your opportunity to meet Advanced sales and marketing executives, producers, CMOs, sales officers and estate planning advisors with accountability for serving individual markets.

Sponsorship Opportunities  
Raise your level of branding with this audience by securing a Sponsorship. Options include:

To create your Sponsorship package, contact:

Barbara Kimball at 860-298-3950 or bkimball@limra.com


Exhibitor Package, $3,250, includes:

REGISTER NOW AS AN EXHIBITOR!


Use the Quick Links in the right-hand column to learn more about this conference.

To discuss a sponsorship/exhibitor package that will suit your business needs, please contact:

Barbara Kimball
860-298-3950
bkimball@limra.com

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Our Sponsor

Contact us to learn more:

Joan O'Neil

Senior Conference Coordinator

LIMRA

(860) 285-7741

joneil@limra.com

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