Facts, Figures, & Photos From the 2022 Big Event
The MAIA held its annual conference and trade show “The Big Event” over four days at the Westin Seaport District Hotel
The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agent’s “Big Event” continues to pick up steam after a successful second edition post pandemic. The event, which continues to be one of the largest state association trade shows in the nation, included a host of activities for agents from the MAIA annual meeting, the Arbella Gourmet Luncheon, another sold-out trade show, to salsa dancing and the ever-popular cocktail hours hosted by Boston Software and Safety Insurance, respectively.
This year’s event took place from the 20th to the 23rd of October at the Westin Boston Seaport Hotel.
While the rate of consolidation continues to accelerate in Massachusetts, the vast majority of agencies continue to be independent owned and operated entities. Together, the independent agents of Massachusetts continue to contribute over a billion dollars to the Massachusetts economy, in addition to being a job creator in Massachusetts.
The four-day conference and trade show were another example of the impact that independent agents have on the Commonwealth and the vital contribution that they make to the economy here.
The MAIA’s Annual Meeting & Investiture of the 2023 MAIA Board of Directors
Fridays are typically the busiest day of the four-day trade event. In addition to the classes and trade show, the MAIA also holds its annual meeting to induct and introduce its Board of Directors for the coming year. Unlike the past few years, this year’s ceremony saw a return to the meeting’s pre-pandemic format.
The meeting overseen by MAIA President Nick Fyntrialkis featured remarks as well as a presentation of awards to various members of the Association and the swearing in of the MAIA’s Executive Committee Officers and Directors for 2023. The following is a slideshow of some of the awards handed out this year:
Anthony Abdelahad, Ventry Associates; Nick Fyntrilakis, President and CEO, MAIA; Lisa Hirbour, CPCU, CIC, Chair-Elect; Jamie Murphy, Massachusetts State Representative; Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR, Chairman, MAIA; and Dennis Murphy, Ventry Associates. 
Nick Fyntrilakis, President and CEO, MAIA and John Costello, IIABA Chairperson of the Board
Current Chair Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR poses with Incoming Chair Lisa Hirbour, CPCU, CIC upon receiving the MAIA’s annual Chair Award
Richard R. Green, LIA, recipient of this year’s Chairman Award with Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR
Trudy Lawler, CIC receives Service Award from MAIA Chair Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR
Maureen Ross O’Connell receives Service Award from MAIA Chair Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR
Thomas Polito receives Service Award from MAIA Chair Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR
John R. Sweeney, CIC, CISR receives Service Award from MAIA Chair Ben Cavallo, CIC, AAL, CISR
John “Jack” Woods Wins The Pacesetter of the Year Award
The Pacesetter of the Year Award is presented annually to an MAIA member agent or local association who through both their personal and professional life set an example for their fellow independent agents. The Pacesetter Award is named after former MAIA President and staff member Henry F. Barry, Jr., who both in his personal and professional life “…set an example of hard work, perseverance, compassion, and charity, at a level matched by few in the insurance industry.”
This year’s award was presented to John “Jack Woods, CPCU. Born and bred in Worcester, Mr. Woods is the second-generation president of the Thomas J. Woods Insurance Agency Inc. also based in Worcester. The T.J. Woods Agency was actually begun by Mr. Wood’s uncle, Tom Woods in 1949, and since then has grown into a 24-person agency over the seven decades it has been in business.
Recipient Of the James O. Herrick Memorial Young Agent of The Year Award
In 2013, the MAIA renamed the Young Agent of the Year award in honor of former MAIA Board Member, Jim Herrick. A well-known and well-regarded member of the Massachusetts insurance industry, Mr. Herrick passed away unexpectedly at the age of 46 during the Fall of 2013.
Right out of college, Mr. Herrick began his insurance career with Toole Insurance in the Berkshires. He eventually moved on to The Hanover Insurance Company where he spent many years before finally joining The Berkshire Insurance Group.
The annual award, presented during the MAIA’s State Annual Meeting, “…seeks to recognize agents who demonstrate leadership in their agency and community and support the mission of the committee by being active participants.”
At this year’s event, the Award was presented to Bill Walsh, CIC.
The newest members of the MAIA Board of Directors
In addition to the awards ceremony, the newest members of the MAIA Board of Directors were also sworn in during the Annual Meeting:
Four of the newest members of the MAIA Board of Directors: (From left to right) Bill Burbine, Fred C. Church Inc.; Ted Gibson, MLIS, Deland Gibson Insurance Assoc. Inc.; Tricia L. Sabulis, CISR, CIC, AAI-M, A.P. Michaud Insurance Inc.; and Ted Hughes, CIC, Cushman Insurance Inc.
Swearing In of New MAIA Board Members 
New MAIA Board Members being sworn in
The Arbella Gourmet Luncheon
As it has done for many years now, the Arbella Gourmet Luncheon follows the close of the Annual Meeting is always one of the biggest draws of the four-day event. The sit-down luncheon, hosted by Arbella, was another well attended event once again offering an opportunity for old friends and new acquaintances to mingle as well as to hear from this year’s guest speaker Marsh Berry;.
Other candids from this year’s event
As a final wrap-up of this year’s event, the MAIA has shared with Agency Checklists some of the candids it took over the four-day event. Here are a few of the highlights from some of the various events include the trade show, the Boston Software cocktail party, the Gourmet Luncheon hosted by Arbella, the Safety Block Party and more…Enjoy!
