ATLANTA, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than
2,500 contractors, insurance carrier representatives and service
provider partners attended the recent Crawford Contractor
Connection Conference, setting another attendance record for the
popular invitation-only educational and networking event despite
interruption by a gas explosion and evacuation.
The 14th annual conference, one of the largest expos in the
restoration industry, offers insurance carriers, affinity partners,
network members and Contractor Connection personnel an opportunity
to focus on contractor program service offerings and the needs and
challenges of both providers and clients.
This year's event, whose theme was "Building a Better
Connection," was held June 19-22 at
the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Due to a mechanical failure,
a gas explosion occurred at the hotel shortly after the initial
meet and greet reception Tuesday evening. Despite an evacuation
that lasted into the early morning, the event resumed with the
Wednesday welcome reception, although the expo and training classes
were cancelled. Attendance records still were set at general
sessions Thursday and Friday.
"We were challenged by the gas explosion this year, but the
attendees demonstrated the professionalism and patience you would
expect from those experienced with disasters," said Larry Thomas, president of Contractor
Connection. "The commitment by all conference participants, from
insurance carriers to contractor network members, continues to
amaze me. This incident brought us closer as a group and, in
keeping with our conference theme, helped us build a better
connection in our joint efforts to provide consistent, quality
service to the end customer."
Jim Murphy, founder and chief
executive officer of Afterburner Inc., and Charles Campbell, director of Afterburner
University, offered a keynote presentation on "Flawless Execution"
during the general session. Afterburner, a group of elite military
professionals and fighter pilots, is a leading authority on
organizational execution, with many Fortune 500 and Global 1000
clients.
Ken Rosen, chief claims officer
for USAA, and Rick Johnson, vice
president of sales for Xactware, also were featured speakers. In
addition, Kevin Frawley, chief
executive officer of Crawford's
Property & Casualty - Americas region, and Thomas provided a
program update. Special client sessions, in which a number of
leading national insurance carriers that partner with Contractor
Connection discussed their expectations for contractor managed
repair services, were included in the general program.
The conference also featured the second annual general session
for Canadian participants and concluded with a special consumer
services general session. This session provided client and peer
insight on the success of and opportunities for the newly
implemented home improvement service offered by Contractor
Connection.
In addition, Contractor Connection recognized its top-performing
network contractors with its "Excellence in Achievement Award"
during the event. Awards are based on overall performance and
customer satisfaction results for the year.
Crawford Contractor Connection provides insurers with an
efficient, high-quality managed repair vendor network for
residential and commercial property claims programs. Contractor
Connection has more than 4,000 members operating in the United States and Canada. Next year's conference will be held
May 20-24 at the San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas.
About Crawford
Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford
& Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world's largest
independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk
management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities,
with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70
countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions(SM) offers
comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process
outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines
including property and casualty claims management, workers
compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement
administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under
the symbols CRDA and CRDB.
SOURCE Crawford & Company