NAHU members to vote on name change at annual convention

Members of the National Association of Health Underwriters will be asked to consider changing the name that their organization has been known as since its founding in 1930.

NAHU members begin their annual convention on Saturday in Austin, Texas. At the conclusion of the convention on Tuesday, delegates will vote on whether to change the organization’s name to National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. The proposed new name also has the tag line, “Shaping the Future of Healthcare.”

If the measure is approved, the name change will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

The name change will be preceded by a branding campaign to make the members, other stakeholders and the public aware that the association has a new name.

New name 'better reflects our mission'

The new name “better reflects our mission and vision,” NAHU said in a statement accompanying the proposed change to its bylaws.

The proposed name change will address the lack of understanding that members, the general public and policymakers at the state and federal level have with the use of the word “underwriters” in NAHU’s current name, the statement said. The proposed name, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals is more inclusive of the variety of businesses and members that are currently a part of the association as well as those who may become members in the future.

NAHU’s board of trustees appointed a name change task force made up of members from state and local chapters around the country. A focus group was held to discuss the pros and cons of the name change.

NAHU also selected a public relations firm to assist with the rebranding effort, should the membership approve the name change.

In addition to voting on the name change, attendees to the NAHU convention will have the opportunity to attend several professional development sessions on topics including “Shifting Client Priorities,” “Reframing the Benefits Landscape,” “Trending Topics in Health Care” and “Legislative Impact.”

Dan Clark, author, motivational speaker and CEO of Clark Success Systems, will speak on “Law of Attraction: The Art of Significant Communication.”

Marshall Allen, author and journalist, will speak on “How to Empower Employees to Reduce Health Care Costs.”

Jeff Butler, author and workplace strategies, will speak on “The Millennial Workforce and Staying Competitive.”

Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].