ITA Pro Magazine - February 2014

Jim Daggett is the co-founder and executive director of the Insurance Technology Association and he also serves as publisher of the ITA Pro magazine, which will debut in February. He has worked in the insurance technology market for eight years, serving as publisher of Tech Decisions magazine. He also served as publisher of Claims magazine, gaining a broader view of the insurance market. As the ITA unveils its website, ITAPro.org, Daggett answered a few questions on why he felt the need to start this new organization.

What was involved in your decision to start the
Insurance Technology Association (ITA)?

Jim Daggett: This specialized market has never had a dedicated organization specifically focusing on their informational and resource needs up until now. Based on conversations I have had with stakeholders, they feel they were being somewhat underserved. I believe that this community will benefit from an organization that is solely dedicated to the insurance technology community.

Why did you start this as an association? What
do you hope to accomplish by going in this
direction?

JD: An association, at its core, is about offering collaboration opportunities among companies that make up an industry. To begin, the ITA will develop with grassroots offerings: publications, digital content, and web seminars. On the horizon, we have several projects that are top of mind for the association: a national industry event, networking opportunities, and possibly educational programs if these are some of the things are membership and our ITA advisory board—which we view as the guiding force of the ITA—feel are important. We have to lay a solid foundation before adding to the framework.

What will make the ITA stand out from other or-
ganizations in the insurance technology space?

JD: The ITA will serve all lines of business and will create programs and resources dedicated to business and technology functions for those that are tasked with preparing their company for the future.

How has your media background shaped the
planning for the ITA?

JD: The media business has been a balancing act for the past
several years with the
advent of new technologies
and the many channels of
content consumption. As
a publisher, the key has
been to develop the best
content that your audience
finds value in while dis-
tributing that content in a
broad number of formats.
Everyone has a preference
in format so you need
to position your content
in every channel your
audience may prefer. These
changes are related to what
insurers face to remain
current and viable.
I have had the plea-
sure to be a part of the
insurance technology community for eight years and listened to
CIOs on what they find to be valuable resources.

What do you feel are the main benefits to
members of the ITA?

JD: Our focus is to really listen to what insurers find value in, what are the topics of interest to them, what tools can help them be successful in their strategy and decisions, and what types of events have the right format and content. The advisory group we are forming and the committees that we are forming will help to shape a program that the overall market can reap many benefits from.

What do you view as the biggest challenges
facing the insurance technology market?

JD: One of the biggest challenges I see is the need for carriers, brokers, and MGAs to stay current with their technology and how insurance is purchased and sold in the fast-paced world that we are living in.

Personal: Daggett is married and the father of three children. He makes his home in Yaphank, N. Y. on Long Island. When he is not tending to work or family issues, he can be found casting a line into the Atlantic fishing for tomorrow night’s dinner. ITA