BENEFIT ADVISORS NETWORK HOLDS SMART PATNERS™ CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY, 2009

CLEVELAND, OH (2/12/09) --- Nearly 100 executives from 29 member companies took part in Benefit Advisors Network’s (BAN) Smart Partners™ Educational Conference, held February 8-10 in New Orleans.

The two-day conference was designed specifically to help member companies improve their performance and profitability through shared best practices, proven growth strategies, enhanced operating efficiencies, and access to proprietary resources.

“The intellectual exchange of ideas and experiences between firms attending the conference provide Smart Partners™ – as we call our member companies – with the opportunity to learn from each other and from industry experts,” says Benefit Advisors Network Director Deane Elek.

Among the many highlights of the conference were presentations on dealing with competing payroll and administration firms, using public relations to differentiate your firm from competitors, and working with many tools that have been developed for the members and made available via their shared Virtual Office.

Breakout sessions aimed at owners, small group markets, and mid-sized markets focused on the state of the insurance industry, driving revenue and profitability, and adjusting marketing, sales, and business plans to address the evolving needs of various market niches.

The conference also featured a presentation from BAN’s Compliance Director, Peter Marathas, partner with Proskauer Rose, LLP. And, each of the standing committees reported on the deliverables and resources they worked on during the past six months. Standing Committees include Membership, Sales, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Standard Consulting & Brokerage Services, Client Communication and Education, Compliance, and Wellness & Population Health Management.

In addition, Benefit Advisors’ Chief Marketing Officer, Bill Thurston, introduced the Alliance Partnership Program of screened and qualified carriers and service providers.

BAN’s next Educational Conference will be held in Minneapolis in August. Strategic Sales Summits are planned for March and June, and are designed to specifically address the needs of benefits sales people.

BAN is the premier, national credentialed network of independent benefit advisory and consulting companies.

BAN only selects one firm per market or market segment to join the organization. That unique structure and philosophy allow members to share best practices, without the concern of their regional competitors.

In addition, BAN delivers industry leading tools, technology, and expertise to member firms so that they can deliver optimum results to their employee benefit customers. Because of this unique feature, BAN’s members are widely regarded as the ‘best of the best’ in their respective geographic markets – firms that distinguish themselves from their competitors through their knowledge of the industry, their ethical approach to business, and their vision.

For more information about Benefit Advisors Network, call 440-528-0301 or visit www.benefitadvisorsnetwork.com.