A couple of slow international news days made our attendance at this years AALU annual meeting in Washington D.C. (we are being ironic here) all the more interesting, and poignant.
The conference, an annual opportunity for the cream of the insurance and financial planning industry to make some direct contacts with those in the congressional arena, usually offers its own form of political drama; the news early Monday morning of the long-awaited eradication of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden served to considerably change the tone here in the nations capital.
Especially as former President George W. Bush was the meetings highest profile speaker, capping a list that also included appearances by comedian and media personality Dennis Miller, CNBCs Ron Insana, author Steven Levitt and former New Mexico Governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson.
Tuesdays schedule saw the event turn toward its key mission, a series of town hall-styled meetings with congressional leaders. Called the Capital Hill Club, AALUs concisely focused political efforts will see approximately 600 attendees boarding buses and heading to The Hill to meet with elected officials and try to spread an industry positive message.
David Byers, head of the AALUs board of directors, explained that the organizations hope is to be seen and heard at a level equivalent to the NRA or the AARP, with a focus distinctively on protecting and cultivating the interests of the insurance industry.
To that end, more than $2.1 million in contributions were made to the AALUs political programs last year; this weeks event will see one-on-one meetings with the 150 members of congress whove been identified as having the most influence on legislation directly affecting our business.
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