FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Diane Buben
CPCU Society
(800) 932-2728, ext. 2738
dbuben@cpcusociety.org


CPCU SOCIETY KICKS OFF 2004 WITH 60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

MALVERN, PA-February 9, 2004-"Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future" is the theme of the CPCU Society's 60th Anniversary celebration during 2004. The spirit of the year-long celebration promotes remembering the Society's foundation for success and looking forward to its members' continued contributions to the P/C industry.

"The CPCU Society's 60th Anniversary is a celebration of our members and the strong legacy that has been our platform for success," said Hugh B. McGowan, CPCU, president of the CPCU Society. "We continue to build on our rich history and welcome new members as we evolve with the ever-changing insurance industry." McGowan is President of McGowan Insurance Group, Inc., in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The CPCU Society's 60th Anniversary on the Web
The CPCU Society's web site, www.cpcusociety.org, will highlight the anniversary with a new area dedicated to the celebration, including:
An anniversary feature on the homepage of the Society's web site called "Remember When" takes a historical look at the past 60 years. Updated daily, "Remember When" includes significant historical facts about the CPCU Society and world events from 1944 to the present.

A Year-Long Celebration
The Society will commemorate its 60th Anniversary with special activities throughout the year, and particularly during its two major meetings, the Leadership Summit in April, and the Annual Meeting and Seminars in October. The next phase of the CPCU Society's "I Am" advertising campaign will highlight the 60th Anniversary and honor CPCU Society members. Scheduled to launch in March 2004, the ads will feature a variety of CPCU Society members and run throughout the year leading up to the CPCU Society's 2004 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. The meeting takes place October 23-26, and will include special events focused on the 60th Anniversary celebration.

A Brief History of the CPCU Society-1944-2004
The CPCU Society was established on January 4, 1944, by the first six CPCUs who wanted to professionalize the insurance industry. Shortly after, CPCU Society offices opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the first Annual Meeting was held later that year in Philadelphia. This began the Society's tradition of hosting the premier continuing education, professional development, and networking event of the property and casualty insurance industry.

Throughout the years, the CPCU Society has grown into a strong association, following the mission to "meet the career development needs of a diverse membership of professionals who have earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation, so that they may serve others in a competent and ethical manner." Today, nearly 27,000 CPCUs are members of the CPCU Society in 154 chapters around the globe. Members continue to be active in the CPCU Society and take advantage of the education and career development resources it offers.

For more information on the CPCU Society's history and the 60th Anniversary celebration, visit the CPCU Society's web site, www.cpcusociety.org.

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The CPCU Society (www.cpcusociety.org) is a community of credentialed insurance professionals who promote excellence through ethical behavior and continuing education. The Society's nearly 27,000 members hold the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCUŽ) designation, which requires passing rigorous undergraduate- and graduate-level examinations, meeting experience requirements, and agreeing to be bound by a strict code of professional ethics. The CPCU designation is conferred by the American Institute for CPCU. The CPCU Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary during 2004.