IASA and Ward Group Announce Nomination Process for 2014 Technology Innovation Award

DURHAM, NC and CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) - IASA, in partnership with Ward Group, is pleased to announce submissions are now being accepted for the 2014 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.

The Technology Innovation Award recognizes the successful implementation of an initiative where technology "made a significant difference" to an insurer'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 existing technologies in pioneering ways, are excellent candidates for consideration.

"The insurance industry is experiencing significant advancements in technology," said Jeff Rieder, partner and head of Ward Group. "We want to recognize those companies who are utilizing technology in innovative ways and making a meaningful difference in their businesses."

This year, the top submissions will be named at the 2014 IASA Annual Educational Conference & Business Show in Indianapolis, Indiana in June, and the finalists will then present project details to an audience of their peers at the IASA Executive EDGE Conference (EDGE) in September 2014 in New Orleans. During the IASA Executive EDGE Conference, attendee votes will be utilized as part of the overall winner selection process along with votes from an industry expert judging panel.

"Due to the success of the new format introduced last year, we will again use the peer judging component in our final selection process," said Mary Ellen Freyermuth, director of MIS for Catholic Mutual Group and chief information officer for IASA. "Attendees obviously enjoyed learning more about different technology projects across the insurance industry, and taking ideas back to use in their offices."

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, 2014. Submissions will be reviewed by an industry expert judging panel comprised of insurance 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 2015 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.