A Note of Thanks to NASBP Members for a Year of Many Accomplishments

Our NASBP Leadership Team enjoyed the opportunity to visit Savannah, GA last month. The Alida Hotel was the site for both the NASBP Mid-Year and the NASBP and SFAA Joint Officer’s Meeting.

Our collaboration with the SFAA Leadership Team remains an integral part of our mission. During our meeting we received updates on the contract, commercial, and energy markets. Overall, the marketplace continues to experience year-over-year top-end growth. There is definitely claim activity simmering. Advocacy at the state and federal levels is active and ongoing.

In terms of the Mid-Year Meeting, I was inspired by the dedication of our Directors, Committee Members, and Leaders who take the time away from work and family to guide and form our initiatives of the Association. In terms of our NASBP Committee meetings, I particularly enjoyed the end of the day group meeting of the Executive Committee, Directors, Committee Chairs, and Vice Chairs. To all of you who attended or participated virtually, thank you for Backing Our Future.

Mississippi Broadband Winter Summit

In early December I participated in the 2024 Mississippi Broadband Winter Summit held in Jackson, MS. The event provided an opportunity to expound about the virtues of surety bonding protections. Quinn Jordan, Executive Director, Mississippi Broadband Association, brought together over 200 stakeholders to discuss recent developments concerning broadband funding and infrastructure and to assess the state’s progress on broadband initiatives. Pictured from left, Quinn; Sally Doty, Director of Broadband Expansion & Accessibility of Miss.; and me.

Find New Tool at Be Guaranteed To Succeed

The NASBP Be Guaranteed To Succeed microsite continues to provide producers tools to share and educate clients about the surety product. In November NASBP added a new tool to the “Producer Member RESOURCES” section of the site—a slide presentation titled, “Your Path to Surety Bonding.” The slide deck is for producer members’ use and assists them in presenting to and educating small, emerging contractors about bonding. The slide deck incorporates select tips and videos from the NASBP and SFAA Contractor Bonding Education and Mentoring Program found at www.contractorbondinged.org. The following quote from Bob Shaw still holds true today: “Any time we have something to give, our jobs as bond producers become a little easier. The NASBP Be Guaranteed To Succeed campaign gives you more arrows for your quiver–some pieces to leave behind and some videos to attach to an email or to put on your corporate social media pages.” Remember that the Producer Member Resources at the microsite require a member login. See the article in this issue for more information.

Register for 2025 Federal Legislative Fly–In

Your participation in the February 26-27, 2025 Joint NASBP and SFAA Federal Legislative Fly-in is important for our industry. This forum allows us to educate current and new members of the 119th Congress about bonding. There will be no registration fees, but everyone is still required to register and book their hotel. For 2025, Fly-in festivities begin on the afternoon of February 26th, as part of the “Washington Program,” where former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who served from 2009 to 2013 under the Obama Administration, will share his observations on politics and the nation’s economy and infrastructure.

Following LaHood’s presentation, a panel of Capitol Hill staffers will offer their observations of what might be in store for the first session of the 119th Congress. After the “Washington Program” Fly-in attendees are invited to a reception at 5 p.m. at the host hotel, The Hilton Washington D.C. Capitol Hill, where everyone can network with colleagues and learn about the message/talking points for their fly-in visits the following day. Hill appointments will be held on February 27 and secured and coordinated by an outside consultant, simplifying the process of securing congressional meetings for all Fly-in participants. Fly-in materials, schedules, and room locations will be available on the Fly-in app.

Nominate a Candidate for NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee 

Just a reminder that you can nominate a future leader for the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee. The 2025 open enrollment begins January 2, 2025, and at that time NASBP will begin accepting nominations for the 2025 candidate class of the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee. The NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee helps prepare surety professionals with 5 to 15 years of surety producer experience for senior leadership positions within NASBP and within their organizations. The Candidacy lasts two years, and once completed, the candidate becomes a full NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee member. Nominations accepted until April 28, 2025. Visit the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee website for more information.

Get Ready for Music City!

Program Committee Co-chairs, Dedi Belis and Tyler McIntyre, along with the entire 2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee are putting together a fun and informative 2025 NASBP Annual Meeting & Expo held April 14 – 17 at the JW Marriott Nashville in Nashville, TN. This is the first time NASBP has ever held its Annual Meeting in “Music City,” and we are expecting a record turnout!

The event will be focused on what is in the present and future of the industry, as well as unique social events that will allow additional networking opportunities. This year will continue the city location format of a Tuesday afternoon social event (in lieu of a golf event) where attendees can team up for a corn hole tournament. This tournament will be complimentary for all registered attendees and their registered spouses/guests and will feature refreshments and snacks, heated competition, and prizes.

The Tuesday night final event will be hosted just off Nashville’s famous Broadway at the newly renovated honkytonk “Category 10,” owned by country music star Luke Combs. This multi-level venue features a large, live music hall, quiet bourbon bar, state of the art sports bar and more. This event is not to be missed! Look out for more information about the Annual in early 2025.

Thanks to All

As we are preparing to close out 2024, I hope you will reflect on how NASBP continues to provide outstanding services to our membership. Be sure to review the 2024 Highlights Year in Review (see related article in this issue) and find out how we have been Educating, Advocating, Connecting, Investing, and Partnering all towards the advancement of surety bonding and the surety community. My sincere thanks to all those expending their focus, energy, and time this year to advance our industry and Association. All of you are the dedicated individuals propelling this Association onward.

On behalf of NASBP and my wife, Krista, we send you peace, love, and joy this holiday season.

If you have a thought, suggestion, or idea that relates to “Backing Our Future,” don’t hesitate to contact me at zach.mendelson@epicbrokers.com.

#BackingOurFuture

#MakingSuretyACareer 

#BondsForBEAD 

Zach Mendelson is Principal, Bonds/Insurance/Construction, EPIC/Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, Pittsburgh, PA. He can be reached at zach.mendelson@epicbrokers.com or 412.274.1707.