Canadian financial advisors will have the opportunity to learn from the best and improve their sales expertise and business strategies on May 22, 2013. That is the date of the Canada Sales Congress (CSC), a one-day event to be held at the Allstream Centre in Toronto. Under the theme, How the Masters Sell Insurance, the CSC will showcase some 18 speakers, all of whom will be among the top insurance sales representatives in Canada

The Congress is aimed at filling a void that has emerged in recent years in the area of training and coaching insurance advisors, say the three co-organizers of the event: Serge Therrien, president and publisher of The Insurance Journal Publishing Group, Lawrence Geller, veteran insurance agent and founder of the popular online forum For Advisors Only, and Jim Ruta, who is a professional speaker, author, performance consultant and owner of Expert Institute.

“The goal of the Congress is to invigorate sales skills training, enhance advisors’ business development strategies and create the energetic atmosphere which is essential to outstanding performance,” explains Mr. Ruta, who will be the event’s MC.

Mr. Geller adds, “The speakers will be either insurance sales generalists or niche specialists. For the most part, they will be legends in their field. Learning from the best will be a great source of motivation and inspiration to all participants.”

The list of speakers includes industry notables such as Toby Hull, Peter Creaghan, Ted Polci, Micheline Varas, Susan St. Amand, Peter Speers and other leading sales professionals (see announcement on pages 19 to 22).

Mr. Therrien, who has organized a renowned, annual insurance industry convention in Montreal for the past 15 years, says he is enthusiastic to help bring an equally high-calibre event to Toronto. “We would like to invite advisors from across Canada to attend this unique Congress, which will enable participants to learn from life insurance sales experts, as well as benefit from the wonderful opportunity to network with influential industry leaders, peers and company representatives.”

Advisors attending the Canada Sales Congress will receive Continuing Education Credits, but this will not be a technical session. Instead it will be a practical ‘How to’ day, adds Mr. Ruta. “The objective is to change participants’ perspective on life insurance sales as a business/profession and encourage more advisors to return to their roots. This high-energy, high-content event will cover a range of topics – all key to mastering life insurance in today’s complex market. ”