News (July 01, 1999)

At a luncheon held May 17 at Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier Hotel, the Insurance Institute of Ontario hosted the national finals of the Inter-Institute Public Speaking Contest before an audience of 75. The 1999 winner of the Canadian Underwriter Trophy was Andrew Vos of Victoria, British Columbia, representing the western zone. Andrew is with Allan Tolsma Agencies (Colwood). His topic was “Saving the Independent Broker”.

Canadian Underwriter group publisher Jan Lowther made a presentation to the audience on the importance of communication for all insurance professionals. Canadian Underwriter donated a trophy for each of the contestants, continuing more than 30 years support for the event. Pictured with the Canadian Underwriter Trophies are (from left) president of the Insurance Institute of Ontario Dave Simpson, Canadian Underwriter group publisher Jan Lowther, runner-up Gerald Banks (Ontario zone), winner Andrew Vos (western zone), John Delaney (Atlantic zone), Celine Levesque (Quebec zone), and event chairperson Kate O’Hara.