(Toronto, ON) Last night, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) recognized the top performing brokers and brokerages throughout the province at their annual Awards of Excellence Gala. The gala was held on the opening night of the association’s 96th annual Convention held in Toronto. Every year, the Awards of Excellence highlight the achievements and initiatives of the IBAO’s most outstanding members.

“Our Awards of Excellence Gala is one of our most treasured moments at Convention,” said IBAO CEO, Colin Simpson. “It’s a time where Ontario brokers come together to honour those who have given back to their communities and to the industry. It’s important that we give recognition to these brokers, as they are the pace setters that can lead and inspire our industry.”

Congratulations to the 2016 IBAO Awards of Excellence winners:

YOUNG BROKER OF THE YEAR – Adam Hare, Insurance Jack

* Director, Insurance Brokers Association of Durham Region
* Chair, Young Entrepreneurs Committee, Whitby Chamber of Commerce
* Board Member, Insurance Program Advisory Committee, Durham College
* Participates in monthly meetings with ORBIT around the digital client experience; helps to raise the industry standard
* CSIO Digital Leader
* Nominated for Young Business Person of the Year by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
* Started an annual fundraiser to benefit Big Brothers and Sisters called Eggstravaganza
* Founded Dear Santa Durhamto benefit disadvantaged families at Christmas

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR – Dalton Timmis Insurance Group 
Accepted by Brian Timmis and other key members of the Dalton Timmis team.

* National broker; opened three new offices in the last few months
* Net growth at 12%; retention around 90%
* Written over 23 million dollars in new business across all lines this year
* Have their own CRM system that sends automatic notifications
* Leverage a mobile app that scans drivers’ licenses for quotes
* Presence on all social media platforms; hired a digital strategist to help the brokerage compete with direct writers
* Improved workflow by leveraging customer driver’s licenses to capture data
* Modern workplace – ping pong tables, couches, health + wellness program leveraging FitBits, internal training programs
* Younger staff participate in YBC
* Involved in the Hamilton Marathon of Hope and local charity events

AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR – St. Thomas-Elgin Insurance Brokers Association
Accepted by Affiliate President Crystal Underhill

* 4 of 6 Board Members are young brokers
* Participation of 45 – 50% of membership at educational meetings and over 60% at social events
 * Join Uscampaign resulted in a 25% increase in attendance at meetings
* Donate cash and a carload of food and non-perishables to each of the Aylmer, St. Thomas and Port Stanley food banks to help out during the holiday season
* Implemented a scholarship to be given to a student from Elgin County pursuing post-secondary education in an insurance-related field
* Hosted a joint event with the London Insurance Brokers Association inviting federal candidates from each riding in Elgin-London-Middlesex to speak to members in a panel discussion

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers
Accepted by President Adam Mitchell

* Consistent triple digit growth from $2.5M in premium in 2010 to $14M in 2016
* Heavily invested in technology & digital marketing with a full time developer on the team
* Run 3 CRM systems connecting with clients through email, text and very soon through AI
* Embraced a modern ecommerce model spreading clients throughout all Ontario
* Reinventing the office space to become more employee friendly by incorporating a gym and cafeteria – goal is to convert an old warehouse to be a Google like campus for the team

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