Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we're discussing a featured speaker to look out for during the Big "I" Legislative Conference, how pet adoptions are changing the pet insurance market and a new bill heading to Gov. Evers' desk that could let you get your favorite restaurants' cocktails to-go. 

Big "I" Virtual Legislative Conference - April 13-16, 2021

The Big I Legislative Conference is the insurance industry's best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year's event willt ake place virtually April 13-16, daily at 1 p.m. CST. Programs will run 45-60 minutes. The annual Legislative Conference provides and opportunity for Big I members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top topics this year include key issues for small businesses, taxes, flood insurance, health care and insurance regulatory reform. 

Bill Hemmer, co-anchor of Fox News Channel's "America's Newsroom", will be a featured speaker at the annual Big i Virtual Legislative Conference. Hemmer will chat with Big I President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt on Friday, April 16th in the closing segment of the conference, which starts at 1 p.m. CST about small business news, the latest headlines and his perspectives from his anchor chair. "Bill will offer unique insights and perspectives from his experiences reading the pulse of the nation," says Bob Rusbuldt, Big I President & CEO. "I look forward to talking with him about the economy, taxes, the new Congress, the media and many more political issues and current events that affect the independent agent and broker community and small businesses."

Register for the Big I Virtual Legislative Conference here. 

Pet Adoption, Care Awareness to Lift Pet Insurance Market

According to a recent study by Acumen Research and Consulting, increasing rates of pet adoptions alongside growing awareness about animal care and treatment are anticipated to drive the pet insurance market, which is expected to grow around 7% compounded annually, through 2027. According to Property Casualty 360, "The revenue share potential for the region is also high, particularly for the U.S., where more than half of the population has a pet." Read more about the changing sector here. 

Wisconsin Senate Approves Bill to Let Bars, Restaurants Sell Cocktails To Go

Last week, the Wisconsin Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would let bars and restaurants sell mixed drinks and glasses of wine in to-go containers. Wisconsin is now one step closer to legalizing takeout cocktails, as the state Senate signed off on the effort Tuesday, sending it to Gov. Tony Evers' desk. 

The bill would require drinks to have a "tamper-evident seal" which the bill authors have previously said largely amounts to tape). Currently, bars and restaurants can sell full, sealed bottles of wine or booze but they're unable to sell individual glasses or cups. The new bill would provide a boost for restaurants, whose profit margins are higher on alcohol than on food. 

Read more about the new bill here. 

For more news, check out the Action news section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list. Don’t forget you can stay up-to-date on other industry news as its happening on our Online Community. You can join the Online Community (exclusive to IIAW members) here. We hope that everyone has a great rest of their week.