IASA and Ward Group Announce Nomination Process for 2013 Technology Innovation Award

DURHAM, NC and CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwire - Dec 4, 2012) -    IASA, in partnership with Ward Group, is pleased to announce submissions are now being accepted for the 2013 Technology Innovation Award. This award, which presents a forum for insurance technology innovation acknowledgement, will be given to the insurance company demonstrating the most ground-breaking use of technology in product, service or overall project scope. This year, the award features a new peer judging component and increased industry recognition. 

The Technology Innovation Award recognizes the successful implementation of an initiative where technology "made a significant difference" to an insurance company's environment in terms of setting direction, improving operational efficiency, increasing revenue or achieving other strategic business goals. Projects that defy tradition, including those that use older or existing technologies in pioneering ways, are excellent candidates for consideration.

"The insurance industry is an exciting and vibrant industry," said Jeff Rieder, president of Ward Group. "This award is intended to highlight those innovators who are creating business value and give them the industry recognition that they deserve."

This year, the top submissions will be named at the 2013 IASA Annual Educational Conference & Business Show in Washington D.C., June 2-5, 2013, and the finalists will then present project details to an audience of their peers at the IASA Executive EDGE Conference (EDGE) in September of 2013. During EDGE, attendees will vote to select the winner of the award. 

"This new judging format allows for increased peer recognition for the winners and offers educational opportunities about innovative leaders for all our members," said Celeska Fredianelli, vice president of financial planning and analysis for QBE North America and chief information officer for IASA. 

The Technology Innovation Award submission form can be downloaded from the IASA website at www.iasa.org. Submissions can be made by insurance companies, technology vendors or other interested parties, until April 1, 2013. Submissions will be reviewed by an expert panel comprised of insurance industry analysts, consultants, media and insurance company professionals to select the award finalists.

The winner will receive a customized plaque, as well as industry media and press recognition through news releases. Additionally, the winning insurance company will receive one complimentary full conference registration for the 2014 IASA Annual Educational Conference & Business Show.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Jennifer Overhulse, Principal Owner, St. Nick Media Services, via email at jen@stnickmedia.com, or via phone at (859) 803-6597.

About IASA
The Insurance Accounting & Systems Association, Inc. (IASA) is a non-profit, education association that strives to enhance the knowledge of insurance industry professionals, and participants from similar organizations closely allied with the insurance industry by facilitating the exchange of ideas and information. IASA is one of the insurance industry's largest, and most well represented trade association. IASA membership includes insurance companies of all types (Property & Casualty, Life, Health, Fraternal, HMO and others) as members, as well as companies serving the insurance industry, regulators and also organizations more broadly representative of the financial services industry, including banks and investment brokerage firms. Learn more about the IASA by visiting our website at www.iasa.org, or by calling (919) 489-0991.