FICP is frequently asked if an independent planner can become a member. An independent meeting planner is eligible for membership in FICP if he/she works for him/herself and is under contract with an eligible financial/insurance company.
In order to complete the membership application process, an independent planner needs to obtain a letter from the financial/insurance company documenting that the planner is under contract for that company and is authorized to be a member of FICP on behalf of that company. In this capacity, the independent planner is actually representing the financial/insurance company and not their own interests. Independent Contractors may only represent their registered financial/insurance company while attending any association events or when in contact with fellow FICP members. At no time may the individual attempt to recruit new clients through FICP nor can he/she promote his/her own business.
Please e-mail letters to FICP Headquarters at membership@ficpnet.com or fax them to (312) 673-6920 prior to renewing your membership under your planner profile. Letters must be received within 30 days of the renewal. Independent contractors who do not provide a letter to validate their eligibility to be a member of FICP will forfeit their membership, and dues payments will be refunded.
For example, if Bob Smith of Bob Smith Events is representing Financial/Insurance Company X as a planner in FICP, he will be listed on all attendance lists, Web sites and directories as Bob Smith, Independent Contractor, Financial/Insurance Company X.
Meeting planners who work for third party planning companies are ineligible to become members or hospitality partners. An independent planner who employs more than one individual is considered a third party meeting planning company and is not eligible for membership. There is a fine line between independent and third party planners; FICP's goal is to be as flexible and fair as possible while maintaining the integrity and standards of membership.
Member Benefits
Professional Growth Opportunities
Education designed specifically for insurance and financial services planners
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Education Forum
- Annual Conference
- Regional Meetings
- Virtual Education - Webinars, Talk Radio Sessions
Members-Only Access to Website
A great resource at your fingertips: best practices, news, discussion forums, links & resources, member lists, online newsletters, hospitality partner information, event registration, online voting and more.
Corporate Meetings & Incentives Magazine
Articles highligh a variety of topics including: meeting management, incentives and motivation, reports from the field, sites and venues.
Prevue Magazine
Prevue provides insightful, experiential destination coverage featuring high-impact group experiences and compelling hotels, resorts and group venues that empower and motivate attendees – helping planners create memorable and productive meetings and incentives.
Membership Involvement
- Design Teams for the Education Forum and Annual Conference
- Participation in Regional Design Teams
- Board of Directors involvement
- Additional volunteer opportunities through special committees and task forces
Networking & Relationship Building
- The ratio of planners to hospitality partners at FICP events is carefully controlled so you can interact with those who matter most to you
- Smaller groups mean stronger relationships with industry peers
- Interaction with professionals who share similar challenges
- Open exchange of ideas through multiple networking opportunities
- Members of all ages, expertise and planning responsibilities
- Mentoring program to introduce you to others and serve as a professional resource
- Active Board of Directors who are proactive, collaborative and strategic thinkers
- Hospitality Partner Advisory Council who serves as true partner-resources by helping us improve the way we do business
Corporate Membership Discount
Rules and Regulations
- The membership discount program applies to current meeting planner members only. All renewing members must update their online profiles, and any new members joining for the first time from a company must still complete a new planner application and pay the standard membership rate.
- All members receiving the discount must work for the same company (same company name); employees of affiliate companies are eligible under separate organizations (affiliate companies that do business under different names must apply separately). Discounts cannot be combined.
- Discounts do apply to companies with planners in multiple offices and/or locations (as long as the company name is the same across offices and/or locations). Individual planner members who join under corporate membership will be listed together under the same company name.
- The discounted rate for qualifying Corporate Planners is $200 USD each, beginning with the 5th renewing planner. The discounted rate is automatically reflected on the membership renewal invoice.
- FICP offers a flat-rate corporate membership structure whereby the member firm pays a flat $2,000 rate which covers all planner memberships for the firm. Click here to access the form and get more information.
A Real Deal!
Compared to other industry associations, FICP membership is a tremendous value. You receive all of the benefits listed above and more for the low annual membership fee!