America's Benefit Specialist January-February 2023

NABIP THE DAWN OF

O n January 1, NAHU became NABIP, the National As sociation of Benefits and Insurance Professionals! This is the result of delegates at last year’s Annual Convention voting overwhelmingly to update NAHU’s name. Before that, a task force was formed in November 2021 to explore the possibility of a name change. Eight people representing different parts of membership were recruited. Their mission was to explore the possibility of a name change that ensures the proper balance of respect ing NAHU’s past while providing clarity of our current and future value proposition. The task force organized roundtable discussions, took polls and had conversations with hundreds of association leaders around the country. They sought a new name that would be inclusive and represent the various roles filled by our mem bers (brokers/carrier reps/other solutions providers – and those who serve groups/individuals/seniors). They wanted a name that would carry authority and be simple for someone outside the association to understand what our members do. After much work and input frommany individuals, the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals rose to the top. NABIP and our new tagline, Shaping the Future of Health care, protect the association’s legacy of leadership while rep resenting our current role in the modern healthcare industry. During every phase of the rebranding initiative, it was critical to respect our association’s rich history and provide a clear direction for our current and future value proposition. As a result, the new brand speaks to our evolving role as responsi ble and respected advocates and thought leaders. While our name has changed, our mission and vision remain the same: We believe that all Americans should be empowered to make wise healthcare and benefits decisions

and have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and related services. “As the insurance and benefits industry has evolved, the association has expanded its capabilities to offer its mem bers robust educational opportunities, conferences and busi ness-development tools,” said NABIP President Kelly Fristoe. “The association’s membership has also grown to encompass members who sell traditional health insurance products and members who offer non-traditional coverage options. The rebrand of the name and tagline is both inclusive and a far more accurate reflection of who NABIP is today.” Working closely with our members, we reimagined our primary branding, beginning with new logos for the national association and corresponding state and local chapters. We also updated the visual identity of our essential functions, like our foundation, political action committee and certifica tions, so that all elements of our brand are cohesive and ac curately represent NABIP. With this new visual brand refresh and, equally important, the alignment of how we position the brand among stakeholders, we are well positioned to raise awareness, interest and participation in NABIP chapters and programs across the country. “Our decades-long commitment to our members and their clients is at the core of what we do and who we are, and that commitment will never change. We are excited to adopt the new name as a clear reflection of our organiza tion’s evolution and role in helping our members navigate the ever-evolving health insurance and benefits market place,” said NABIP Chief Executive Officer Janet Trautwein. “Looking forward, our new identity will better represent our expanded membership and resonate with members of this growing industry.” For more information, and to help your chapter update its name, please visit www.nabip.org.

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