2024Events at a GlanceA Guide to Upcoming Events in the Mutual System This Year
March 5, 2024 Queen’s Park Day Queen’s Park, TorontoBy visiting Queens Park and talking to MPPs, we can voice our concerns on issues that impact our industry and explain the impact government decisions have on policyholders. We appreciate the support you provide in sending one or more delegates. Our mutual message depends on your commitment to this event.SPRINGEVENTSMarch 6-8, 2024London Farm Show - Western Fair District, LondonThe London Farm Show is the largest spring farm show in eastern Canada with 300,000 sq. ft. of space. And of course we’ll be hosting a booth for member companies to promote the mutual difference. The trade show will be located in the BMO Centre. The Ontario Mutuals booth is #1013.March 12-14, 2024Ottawa Valley Farm Show - EY Centre, OttawaThis is Ontario’s longest running agricultural trade show. Since 1927, the Ottawa Valley Farm Show has been home to thousands of visitors looking for the latest and the best in farm management (including insurance). Ontario Mutuals are “Red Ribbon” sponsors of Dining Hall A, which will allow our eastern Ontario members to participate as greeters.
March 20-22, 2024Annual ConventionSheraton Centre, TorontoWe look forward to seeing everyone for another dynamic three days at the Sheraton Centre. In addition to the very important AGM itself, members can attend educational sessions, listen to exceptional speakers and catch-up with their mutual colleagues. May 27-29, 2024CEO ConferenceKingbridge Centre, King CityA member favourite, the CEO Conference is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and talk about the challenges and successes the mutuals have encountered. June 10, 2024 (Note: this is a Monday)OMIA Annual Golf Tournament The Cutten Club, Guelph, OntarioEstablished in 1931, this Stanley Thompson design is one of his classics. Its rolling topography and superior layout make every round at Cutten Fields unique to keep the avid golfer wanting more.This year is bound to sell out quickly. Member invites will be emailed in the rst week of April and to partners (providing there is room) after members have had a chance to register.
September 10-12, 2024Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Canada’s Outdoor Park, WoodstockCanada’s Outdoor Farm Show marks the return to fall. This is the country’s largest outdoor agricultural trade show, on 100 acres. A popular show among mutuals, we will be sure to host our large trade show booth for members to meet and greet the many visitors.October 1-5, 2024International Plowing Match & Rural Expo Lindsay, Kawartha LakesThis October, the Lindsay fairgrounds will be transformed into a tented city with plowing competition venues, parking areas and an RV park. Ontario Mutuals is a Proud Presenting Partner and has become well known for our popular yardstick giveaway. FALL EVENTS
October 23-24, 2024IBAO Convention - Sheraton Hotel, Toronto The IBAO Convention offers a dynamic opportunity to interact with current and potential brokers and colleagues while taking in compelling education sessions and panel discussions. OMIA will set up the trade show portion again and will coordinate another Hospitality Suite, to be hosted by interested mutuals.October 27-29, 2024President’s & Manager’s Meeting Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario The Presidents & Managers Meeting will feature a line-up of top speakers, useful sessions, and opportunities to network with your fellow mutuals. We’re looking forward to getting back to Ottawa, Ontario.Other Mutual EventsMAMIC Convention June 13 - 15, 2024 - Fredericton, New BrunswickNAMIC Convention September 22 - 25, 2024 - Denver, ColoradoCAMIC Annual Convention October 6 - 8, 2024 - Niagara Falls, Ontario
OMIA EDUCATIONOur goal is to be the priority source of training and education for mutuals by creating superior member focused skills and knowledge programs.OMIA continues to provide:• Current and relevant technical and interpersonal course content based on adult learning principles;• Different perspectives from subject matter experts from within OMIA and external third party sources;• A variety of learning modalities including live online, on demand (eLearning), hybrid or in person.To learn more about the Live- Online and In-Person sessions that OMIA has to offer, please visit the Education Calendar at omia.com. Sessions are added all the time so be sure to check back often!Reminder: If a course has reached capacity limits please register for the waitlist. If enough interest is indicated, we will repeat the session.
ON DEMANDE-LEARNING• Accident Benets Adjusters Certicate• Agents Certicate• Directors Certicate• Mutual Service Certicate• Underwriters CerticateTo see our catalogue of online courses please visit omiaelearning.comThe Time & Place That Works for You!OMIA now offers 18 on demand E-Learning courses with many more under development! Many of the courses required to obtain the OMIA certicates can be taken in this format.Our education team does their best to ensure that each topic is covered thoroughly, offering the important information you need and cutting through the content that you don’t.The courses cover a wide range of topics, which means there is something for everyone!Note: Claims, Leadership, and Loss Prevention Certicates are coming soon!The following programs are available:Mutual insurance is unique, which means the education you need to succeed is unique. The OMIA education team has compiled a variety of learning pathways to ensure that you have the information you need to excel in your career.CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Tavia TobeyCoordinatorttobey@omia.comKara TobeyAssistantktobey@omia.comOMIAMARKETINGThe OMIA Marketing & Communications team is here to help your company succeed. We promote the Ontario Mutuals brand through as many relevant channels as possible. We can also provide assistance and insight on promotional material, branding, websites, social media, consumer research and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!Proudly Promoting Ontario MutualsLisa HunterManagerlhunter@omia.comContact the OMIA Marketing Department: marketing@omia.com
Did you know?As a member company you get marketing perks such as:• Access to our stock photo library which contains hundreds of royalty free images• Access to our trade show display items• Pull-up Banners• A-Frame Sign Holders• Ballot Boxes• Prize Wheels• Plinko Games• Product Brochures• Company Brochures• Statement Stuffers• Fact/Sales Sheets• Custom Folders• Print AdsOther Marketing Resources Available to Members:• Radio Scripts• Press Releases• Unaddressed Direct Marketing• Direct Mail• Flyers• PowerPoint Templates• Design for Pull-up Banners• Design for Trade Show Elements + MOREEverything we do can be as customized for your company - from colours and logos, to different copy, photos and messaging.
ONTARIO MUTUALS vs OMIAWHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?This logo can be used by Ontario Mutuals companies in any public-facing promotional material (e.g. on your website, brochures, print and web ads, signage at your ofce etc.) You may want to use it in conjunction with your own logo and “A Proud Member of…”OMIA will also use this logo when promoting Ontario Mutuals in marketing material and at various events. This logo takes the lead in any public-facing content and encourages people to “Discover the Mutual Difference” and nd their local mutual. Ontario Mutuals is the overarching brand that represents you, the mutuals. The blue logo shows that your company is part of a larger network of mutual insurers. OMIA is the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association located in Cambridge, Ontario. OMIA exists to provide a variety of services to help Ontario Mutuals succeed. Ontario Mutuals companies are members of OMIA.Contact OMIA Marketing if you need a copy of either logo.
This logo is not generally public-facing and is used when OMIA is communicating with member companies and with vendors or suppliers that are required for the operations and maintenance of tasks at the Cambridge ofce. This logo is also used at events that have been organized by OMIA for Ontario Mutuals companies (i.e. the OMIA Annual Convention, the Presidents & Managers Meeting and the Annual Golf Tournament) and when OMIA is acting as a liaison with government organizations and regulators. Write to marketing@omia.comOMIA Vision: Grassroots insurance at the core of thriving communities.OMIA Mission: To serve and strengthen our mutual insurance community.
Compliance - OMIA has dedicated compliance professionals who provide leadership, environmental monitoring, education, and expert guidance on solvency reporting, governance, market conduct and corporate risk management that meet regulatory requirements.Data Strategy and Statistics - OMIA provides member companies with an efcient method of reporting regulatory data, while anticipating data requirements for collective analysis and business intelligence initiatives.Education - OMIA has a dedicated education team that creates online and in-person training sessions. These courses are continuously changing and evolving to ensure that member companies have important and up-to-date information. We also have an OMIA Certication Program to facilitate continuing education and professional development.Employee Pension and Benets - OMIA staff and the Benets & Pension Committee are committed to providing guidance on issues related to employee and company benet programs that are available to the membership through OMIA. We are pleased to report that we continue to have a plan that meets or exceeds expectations in today’s labour market. General Meetings - OMIA hosts a variety of meetings and roundtables that allow member companies to come together, gain important information, discuss current and future challenges, innovate, and learn from one another.Government Relations - OMIA and the Legislative Affairs Committee play an important role in maintaining the Ontario Mutuals’ prole with MPPs and MPs. We act as ambassadors to the legislature and communicate the impact of proposed legislation while providing an informal sounding board for MPPs. This includes roundtable discussions and a visit to Queen’s Park each year.OMIASERVICE AREAS
Industry Liaison - OMIA maintains strong relationships with industry partners and keeps lines of communication open on behalf of the mutual community. OMIA will share unied messages with organizations like the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) and others. Insurance for Insurance Companies - Like any business, mutuals need insurance for their own unique risk management needs. OMIA has worked with trusted broker partners and underwriters to develop Directors and Ofcers, Errors and Omissions, Fidelity Bond, and Cyber Risk insurance programs that protect mutuals against these constantly evolving business risks.Market Research - OMIA periodically facilitates the collection of market research to gather data and reveal market trends that help member companies make informed decisions around marketing. We also have a Market Issues Committee which gathers and analyzes industry information that affects the mutuals’ ability to serve their policyholders.Product Development - As the world changes, so do insurance needs, and OMIA is continuously monitoring the heartbeat of all things insurance. With the help of the Product Strategy Committee and colleagues at Farm Mutual Re, OMIA updates and creates insurance products for member companies to implement. Promotion - OMIA promotes the Ontario Mutuals brand through sponsorships, advertising, and events. OMIA also has a dedicated marketing team that is available to support member companies with their individual marketing projects. Special Projects and Studies - When a mutual asks, “Is it a good idea or not?” or “ Are we up to date with emerging trends?” or “Can we tackle a bigger challenge together?” It might be time for a project or study to help members evaluate next steps. Bi-annual salary and compensation surveys, feasibility studies on shared resources, cyber risk inventories, IFRS-17 conversion research and tools, and pilot groups for new roundtables are all examples of successful mutual initiatives that started with an OMIA special project or study.
MANDATE: to raise the prole of mutual insuranceVISION: Standing as the foundation and support upon which each mutual can craft an individual voice, while amplifying the strength of grassroots mutuality.Kevin Inglis, ChairHowick MutualTim WadeWestminster MutualDeb Van EykLambton MutualKristine DuenchHD MutualJulie McIntoshSouth Easthope MutualLisa HunterOMIACommunicating the Advantages of MutualityMARKETINGCOMMITTEEJohn TaylorOMIA
Event Location DateQueen’s Park Day Queen’s Park, Toronto March 5London Farm Show Western Fair, London March 6 - 8Ottawa Valley Farm ShowEY Centre, Ottawa March 12 - 14OMIA Annual ConventionSheraton Centre, TorontoMarch 20 - 22CEO Conference Kingbridge Centre, King CityMay 27 - 29OMIA Golf TournamentThe Cutten Club, GuelphJune 10Canada’s Outdoor Farm ShowCanada’s Outdoor Park, WoodstockSept. 10 - 12International Plowing MatchLindsay, Kawartha LakesOctober 1 - 5IBAO Convention Sheraton Centre, TorontoOctober 23 - 24President’s and Manager’s MeetingFairmont Chateau Laurier, OttawaOctober 27 - 29ONTARIO MUTUALS EVENTS SNAPSHOT2024Spring issue: March 15Summer issue: July 19Fall issue: October 18Due Dates for OM News Submissions
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