Insurance Advisernet Australia (IAA) announced its annual award winners at the group’s national conference on the Gold Coast last week.

More than 480 delegates attended the event, which had the theme Bigger, Better, Stronger, Power.

Authorised representative (AR) of the year is Melbourne-based Sound Insurance, while the Insurance Advisernet New Zealand (IANZ) broker of the year is Tauranga-based Financial Independence Insurance.

The platinum quality practice award went to Sydney-based Everest Risk Group and Southern was judged region of the year.

The chairman’s award went to IAA’s Brighton-Le-Sands AR Andrew Pearson and IANZ Manager Finance, Systems & Administration Paula Mills.

Employee of the year is Regional Assistant Caitlin Apps.

MD Adrian Kitchin told insuranceNEWS.com.au the conference at the Sheraton Mirage was an unprecedented success, and about $50,000 was raised for various charities.

“It was the most outstanding event yet in terms of number of ARs, but also the quality of the speakers and entertainment,” he said. “We continue to grow and go from strength to strength and this was a great opportunity to showcase the professionalism of our ARs.”