Ok, so I’m back on my soap box, continuing my pontification about NIMBY’s and why social networking is so important. However, a thought occurred to me that before I once again start my name calling and continue to throw stones, maybe I had better step away from my glass house and start to eat my own dog food, or how else can I honestly pick on you? That wouldn’t be fair. So what did I do to open the door and step out of my glass house? I set up my own, personal, Twitter account. Why a personal account? Because like so many of you out there I swore (sorry, Mom, I know you told me never to swear) that I would not have a personal Twitter account, as there is no reason (mainly because no one would even care) for me to tell you that “I’m sitting in the pizzeria waiting for a well done pie”, or “I’m on my way to ShopRite because they have the Ham and Swiss combo on sale and Ann Marie told me to bring home milk.”

Now, in all fairness to me (after all, I am the one throwing the stones and this is my column), from a professional stand point we at FSC (StoneRiver) as a company have very successfully been using Twitter; Facebook; corporate web sites, and many other means of social networking not only to introduce our insurance technology products to potential new clients, but to also reach out and touch our existing clients keeping them well informed of changes and enhancements to our products, services, and the industry in general. Furthermore, we have been successfully advising and providing our clients on the setup and maintenance of these products in order to help them become more profitable in their own businesses. However, I personally had sinned against everything I was preaching about social networking and was not eating my own dog food by using my own personal Twitter or Facebook account, as I simply felt that no one cared what I am doing and whom I am doing it with, and quite frankly, I figured that I just do not have the time to do one more thing. Well, guess what? For two columns in a row now I am confessing that once again I was wrong. Oh, I wasn’t wrong about people not caring what I am doing this very second because I am sure that you could not care less, but what I was wrong about was how these tools are even more valuable to me as a professional person.

Let me explain.

So, I set up this Twitter account in February, and again I swore (“easy, Mom”...my mother really does read this column so I have to be careful!) it was to be a totally professional account, with no “Here I am at…!” unless it was related to business… and I stuck to it (you can follow me @MLoguercioJr). In addition, I also decided that I would only follow those who are in or related to the insurance business, and maybe a close friend or two…but that’s it. So as I begin to cruise around the Twitter world, I begin to find all sorts of interesting insurance people that I decide to follow. I also found that there are plenty of insurance related educational groups and people out there that I can increase and improve upon my knowledge of this thing of ours. I also began to find groups that talk about everything in our industry, and I’m learning and enjoying this “Twitter stuff” more than I could have ever imagined. I even found out that that the New York State School Board Association (as I am involved in school board service as well) has a Twitter account where they post new and interesting information about schools, state and federal funding, and a host of other informative pieces, and I began to follow them as well.

So after getting the hang of this, I decide to post a “Tweet” (as those of us in the Twitter world call it) or two about what I’m doing in the industry, and then guess what? Well, low and behold the next thing I know I am “being followed” by agents, insurance magazines, industry and legal professionals, even my competitors, to see what I’m up to. Then, people start “Re- Tweeting” my posts, which is basically them sending out what I said to all of their followers, which are also mostly insurance industry people, so now I’m compounding those whom I am targeting with my Tweets. But what really caught my attention, is the people who found me, who were genuinely interested in what I have to say. For example, a friend of mine by the name of Jeff Davis who is not even in the insurance business found me on Twitter, and began to follow me. Well, after reading one of my posts that my latest column in the Insurance Advocate had hit the streets, Jeff read a preview of my column at www.insurance-advocate.com and immediately called me and said that he had no idea that I even wrote a column! This form of networking has proved to me everything that I already knew, preached, and very much believed in, but from a totally new level…that I now had the power to personally touch people I don’t even know and get the word out on who I am and what I do. In addition, I am able to tie it all into my business, which will ultimately help me to be more successful in my career.

So, NIMBYs, not only am I suggesting that you take my professional advice and not only please “Do as I say”, but now I’m asking that you please “Do as I do” and go after this piece of the market that you are still on the fence about. As I have mentioned so many times before, if you are not sure or want some assistance, please give me a call and it would be my pleasure to help. Hey, we can even follow each other have some re-tweeting fun together! Tweet! Tweet!

As the convention season comes into full swing, Buffalo I Day 2010 held at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, NY, was another rousing success! Once again Buffalo I Day demonstrated that it's the place to be in April of the year. This year's event was held on Thursday April 8th and with over 1,200 tickets sold, it continues to claim title to "The Largest Single Day Insurance Event in the Country." The buzz began the evening before with the Presidential Dinner, held as a thank you for the event’s major sponsors. Over 135 insurance professionals attended a fabulous dinner at the Saturn Club located on Delaware Avenue, downtown Buffalo. The keynote speaker for I Day, Bill Bradley, also attended this terrific event; which offered an opportunity to meet Mr. Bradley, as well as network with insurance executives from around the Northeast. I Day itself boasts an impressive lineup of activities, beginning with an exhibit hall housing over 120 exhibitors, representing companies from 16 states.

There was a morning Executive Panel discussion sponsored by The Hartford which featured executives from 6 companies.

The lineup included:

- Kurt Bingeman, President, Russell Bond & Co., Inc.

- Len LoVullo, President & CEO, LoVullo Associates, Inc.

- Jeremy Robinson, VP Marketing, New York Central Mutual - Ted Walsh, President, Walsh Insurance Group

- Janet Weinstein, Regional VP, The Hartford

- Bob Zak, CEO, Merchants Insurance Group

Questions were eloquently and articulately presented by my friend and moderator Tony Kubera, of Russell Bond & Co., Inc., who is also the Past President of the Insurance Club of Buffalo. Questions to the panel included: “What keeps you awake at night?” “Can you comment on your use of social networks such as Face book, MySpace, Twitter, and LinkedIn?” “Which one of these do you feel offer your company the most opportunity?” The answers from the panel were thoughtful and incisive--providing thought provoking topics for discussion for the remainder of the day for attendees of this session. After a morning full of activity and great conversation meeting with so many attendees, clients and friends alike such as Jennifer Sperduto, Eileen Sellers, Georgia Goodspeed, and Denise Harmon of Charles J. Sellers & Company (hope you liked the basket you won, Denise!); Carol Borden and Charmaine Derenda of Walsh Insurance Group; Aaron Whitehouse and Insurance; Lou Atti of The Evans Agency; Dick Rausch of R.L. Rausch Agency; Lynn Duerr of Keller & Company; and Krysia Mager, Mary Spicer, and Liz Zannoni of Tompkins Insurance Agencies Inc., the luncheon began at 12:30 PM.

An “I Day” that is historically known for its terrific speakers once again did not disappoint this attendee/vendor/insurance professional and writer. This year's speaker, Bill Bradley (whom I must confess I am old enough to remember him playing with the New York Knicks before he crossed the river and became a New Jersey Senator) offers varied, impressive credentials. "From winning an Olympic gold medal in basketball in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, to representing New Jersey in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1997, to running for President in 2000, Bradley exemplifies America's best qualities." Bradley's comments wove in stories about basketball, to politics, a sprinkling of Frank Sinatra stories, as well as telling us about some of the interesting people he has interviewed on his radio show: “American Voices” on Sirius Satellite Radio. He was entertaining, he was moving, and he was funny. Once again, the Buffalo I Day Committee did a wonderful job with securing a fantastic speaker. Following the luncheon, the afternoon educational sessions offered on the menu the choice of two Continuing Education classes. Bruno P. Falvo presented "Advanced Gaps & Traps in the CGL Policy”, and Timothy D. Dodge presented "Can They Do That"? Both sessions were lively, informative, and well attended. Those participating appreciated the fact that both presenters are able to adroitly explain concepts in a fashion that all can relate to, and come away with useful ways to approach various insurance issues and questions.

Then, of course, after the educational sessions, comes everyone’s’ favorite “the cocktail party” which is always a crowd pleaser. Excellent food and drink again provided an opportunity to network and relax after a day of nonstop activity. All in all, another excellent Buffalo I Day! Of course I would be remiss if I did not extend my gratitude by mentioning the President of the Insurance Club of Buffalo, my friend Darryl Terranova, of Terranova Insurance Services in Orchard Park, NY, along with his entire board for another “job well done"! Bravo I Day Committee, and this event is always on my "Do not miss list".........where I will see you there once again next April!!

Well, that’s all for now and thank you once again for taking another walk around the neighborhood with me. Next time we’ll be talking about the PIA of NY Long Island Regional Awareness Program held at Leonard’s Of Great Neck on Long Island, along with a few other exciting events! Ciao for now!