Upcoming Events

Join fellow NAIFA members for NAIFA Live, our monthly program!

To register for NAIFA Live, please go through the Member Portal. Once you have signed into the member portal, hover over the Educate tab and click on NAIFA Live to register.

NAIFA Live is a virtual event available to NAIFA members. Please register in advance. If you are not yet a member, please join us to take advantage of all the benefits NAIFA has to offer.

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, November 21 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Union Brewery for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry!

NAIFA-MD announces partnership with the Greater Chesapeake Foundation to support charitable giving initiatives for both associations. Members from both groups will party at Union Craft Brewery on Nov. 21 from 4pm - 7pm. NAIFA-Maryland is accepting canned food donations for the local food pantry. And GCF is accepting toy donations for their "Stuff the Train" toy drive. Register to tell us your coming and bring your charitable donations!

Union Brewery
1700 W. 41st St
Baltimore, MD 21211

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled.

Learn from custom high-net-worth strategist City National Rochdale how they can partner with you to win and retain high-net-worth clients. This webinar will provide an overview of CNR, their investment approach and philosophy, and how it can help you move up-market. CNR’s Private Wealth Solutions offering, notably the comprehensive wealth assessment and business owner advisory services, will also be highlighted. These resources are designed to support the advanced planning needs of UHNW clients and also to provide strategic guidance to business owners as they prepare for a transition or exit event.

SPEAKERS

Leks Gerlak CFA, CFP, CPWA - Senior Investment Consultant

Mr. Gerlak joined City National Rochdale in 2022 and has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. Based in Maryland, he is responsible for cultivating relationships with financial professionals and their clients in MD, DC, VA, WV and KY.

Prior to joining CNR, Mr. Gerlak spent 7 years at ProShares, one of the leading providers of ETFs. He served as an Investment Strategist, most recently leading Investment Strategy efforts for the firm’s Tactical ETFs. In this position, he was responsible for portfolio analysis, education, product research and development, and presenting investment strategies using the company’s Tactical ETFs. Prior to ProShares, Mr. Gerlak worked at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, serving high-net-worth families with wealth management solutions.

Mr. Gerlak majored in Economics at Haverford College. He lives in Bethesda, MD with his wife, Pia, and their daughter, Ellora. In his time-off, he enjoys being outdoors - cycling, hiking, and exploring Virginia’s wine country. Having grown up in Baltimore, he thoroughly enjoys a good crab cake and watching Baltimore Ravens football.

John Dwyer, CPA/PFS, CFP, CEPA - Director, Senior Wealth Strategist

John joined City National Rochdale in 2022 with 15 years of Income Tax, Estate, and Financial Planning experience. He partners with financial advisors and their clients to deliver Comprehensive Wealth Assessment (CWA) services that identify opportunities to enhance financial well-being across investment planning, asset protection and risk management, income tax mitigation, philanthropy, and estate and legacy planning.

Previously, John was a Financial Planner for First Republic Bank. In this role he supported the advanced planning needs of ultra high net worth clients across Southern California and the New York Tri-State area. Prior to this, he held several positions at Ernst & Young LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, JPMorgan Chase, and Citibank.

John earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Professional Accounting (MSPA) from Seton Hall University. John and his wife live in New Jersey and enjoy cooking, road trips, and spending time at the Jersey shore.

COST:
Free for members
$35/non-members

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, October 17 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking! Come out to Hopkins Farm Brewery in Havre de Grace.

Hopkins Farm Brewery
3833 Rider Ln
Havre de Grace, MD 21078

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, September 26 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking! Come out to Independent Brewing in Bel Air. Discussions will focus on long term care issues, reform of 529Plans, and the impact of AI and chatGPT in insurance industry.

Independent Brewery
418 N. Main St
Bel Air, MD 21014

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, August 22nd from 4:00 - 7:00 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking! Held at RAR Brewing - Chessie's Wharf in Annapolis, our lobbyist, Brett Lininger, Esq., will update you about legislative issues such as the Governor's Longevity Ready Initiative, and how AI and chatGPT are being used by insurance agents to train their sales team. We can't wait to see you there!

RAR Brewing – Chessie’s Warf
609 Melvin Ave
Annapolis MD 21401

Join NAIFA-Maryland for our 2024 Race to Success event on June 7th! We can't wait to see you at Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park.

Members of NAIFA-MD who might be impacted by proposed statutory changes to professional employer organizations offering health coverage plans to small employer groups should attend our webinar Tuesday, June 4 beginning at 11am EST. We are seeking direct input from members as to how this proposed bill would impact your agency.

The Maryland Insurance Department is holding a meeting in mid-June to examine all sides of this issue. NAIFA-MD needs your input so we can develop a written position statement that communicates critical points from all sides. NAIFA-Maryland is actively engaged in this through our legislative representative, Brett Lininger, Esq. with Kress Hammen, who will be in attendance at this meeting, chaired by Senator Pam Beidle.

This year, Senate bill 821 (H.827) was introduced and requires the Maryland Insurance Administration to study professional employer organizations to review regulations, history, health plans, membership requirements, regulatory structures in other states, and determine the potential impact of proposed statutory changes relating to the offering of health coverage by professional employer organizations on the small group market in the State.

This bill was referred to committee for a hearing, where NAIFA-Maryland was represented and shared our concerns with lawmakers. We expect more dialogue to take place throughout the summer as a final study, and recommendation, is presented to the Legislature.

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, May 16 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking! Come out to Idiom Brewing Co in Frederick, MD. Our lobbyist, Brett Lininger, Esq., will be on hand to discuss the results of this year's Legislative Session and the impact several bills will have on the insurance industry.

Idiom Brewing Co.
340 E. Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, April 18 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking! Come out to Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, MD. Our lobbyist, Brett Lininger, Esq., will be on hand to discuss current legislation, including the Secretary of the Aging's Longevity Ready Initiative, signed by the Governor in January, to address the real-life challenges facing older generations in Maryland.

Sapwood Cellars Brewery
8980 MD-108 - Suite MNO
Columbia, MD 21045

Legislation has been introduced this year in a fast and furious manner, targeting all of these critical issues impacting the insurance/finance industry:
- pre-licensing mandates
- professional employer organizations
- genetic testing and life/disability/long term care
- online data privacy act
- consumer reporting agencies
- Governor's new Longevity Ready Initiative, and its impact on long term care.

We're hosting a one-time webinar with our lobbyist, Brett Lininger, Esq. to bring you a snapshot of how these bills, and others, will directly impact your business and your clients.

This is your chance to direct your questions to Brett about how these bills will change how you do business. Also, we welcome the chance to hear your stories, of your clients, whose needs are not being met because of over-burdensome regulations affecting our industry. See you virtually on March 18th!

NAIFA-Maryland is pleased to present you with a continuing education opportunity conducted by Career Insurance, Inc. Join us for a Understanding the Business Owner Policy CE Webinar Event presented by Rick Weston! Tune in virtually from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Friday, March 8, 2024 for this great event offering. 3 Hours of CE Credit.

The “BOP” is a pre-packaged business policy purchased by many small, low-risk businesses to insure their commercial risks and needs. The course offers a thorough walk-through of the coverages offered and excluded, and a discussion of businesses eligible and not eligible for a BOP.

Members: FREE | Non-Members: $15.00

Join NAIFA-Maryland and ACLI for our 2024 Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 28th!

Did you know - last year 45 legislators were in attendance, greeting our members personally, and answering member's direct questions. If you didn't attend, you missed a key business opportunity to bring your personal business concerns to your state senator/delegate. Don't miss this chance for a one-on-one session with your representative!

Join NAIFA-Northern Virginia for a Holiday Mixer!

Date:  Wednesday, December 20, 2023           

Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Location: Caboose Commons, 3rd Floor, 2918 Eskridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031

Cost: There is no registration fee, but a $10 voluntary donation is suggested to Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (assisting older adults with aging in place through services, companionships, and community.)

We look forward to seeing friendly faces and new faces!

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, November 30th from 4:00 - 700 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! Come out to JailBreak Brewing Company and spend the evening mingling with the best and brightest insurance and financial advisors.

Vanessa Atterbeary, Chair, House Ways & Means Committee, will be joining us! Discussions will focus on long term care related legislation and other issues important to the profession.

JailBreak Brewing Co.
9445 Washington Blvd North
Laurel, MD 20723

Join fellow NAIFA members for NAIFA Live, our monthly program!

To register for NAIFA Live, please go through the Member Portal. Once you have signed into the member portal, hover over the Educate tab and click on NAIFA Live to register.

NAIFA Live is a virtual event available to NAIFA members. Please register in advance. If you are not yet a member, please join us to take advantage of all the benefits NAIFA has to offer. 

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, November 9th from 4:00 - 700 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! Come out to Union Brewery and spend the evening mingling with the best and brightest insurance and financial advisors.

Union Brewery
1700 W 41st Street
Baltimore, MD 21211

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Wednesday, October 18th from 4:00 - 700 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! Come out to Hopkins Farm Brewery and spend the evening mingling with the best and brightest insurance and financial advisors.

Hopkins Farm Brewery
3833 Rider Lane
Havre De Grace, MD 21078

Join NAIFA-Maryland on Thursday, September 28th from 4:00 - 700 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! Come out to Independent Brewery and spend the evening mingling with the best and brightest insurance and financial advisors.

Independent Brewery
418 N. Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014

Building on the success of last year's event, we are pleased to announce that we will again feature our Race to Success event on June 16th. We hope you will join us at Maryland Jockey Club for this fantastic (and FREE!) event.

The day will begin at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast, followed by our program.
Then, spend the afternoon enjoying live horse racing and reconnecting with your fellow members.

Join NAIFA-Maryland for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! We can't wait to see you Thursday, April 27th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

BC Brewery
10950 Gilroy Road, Suite F
Hunt Valley, MD 21031

NAIFA-Maryland will be getting together again THIS Thursday for another Brews & Bites event! Come out to Idiom Brewing Co. on March 16th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry. We can't wait to see you!

Join NAIFA-Maryland for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry! We can't wait to see you March 2nd from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

Sapwood Cellars Brewery
8980 MD-108, Suite MNO
Columbia, MD 21045

Join NAIFA-Maryland for our 2023 Legislative Day coming to you February 14th from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm!

We'll begin our day with breakfast with legislators at the Governor Calvert House from 8:00 - 10:00 am sponsored by ACLI. We'll then make our way to the State House for additional meetings with legislators, committee meetings, and more.

Location: Governor Calvert House, 58 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 from 8:00 - 10:00 am ET.

State House, 100 State Circle, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.