1927. That was the year the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) was founded. It's also the year MDRT held its inaugural annual meeting. In the beginning, there were 32 members in the prestigious group. Since then, membership has grown to more than 33,000. MDRT has held its annual meetings every year, with the exception of 1942 and 1945 meetings, which were cancelled because of World War II, said Jessica Butera, MDRT's public relations coordinator.
The organization's most recent meeting, whose theme was "Be the Change," was held in San Diego from June 11 to 14 -- 7,127 members from more than 60 countries and territories attended, representing the top 1 percent of producers nationwide.
"This was one of the best meetings I've ever attended," said member Jim Durkin. "MDRT meetings are all good, but from Miles Hilton Barber to Jim MacLaren, Main Platform was beyond excellent! ... All in all, San Diego will be one of my best MDRT memories."
For the three-day conference, the organization held morning Main Platform sessions each day to inspire and encourage the membership. The room was always packed, nearly every chair filled with energetic and attentive attendees. Speakers such as Barber, a blind adventurer and internationally renowned motivational speaker; and actor, motivational speaker, former athlete, and writer MacLaren, shared wisdom and advice on goal-setting, success, and life and business in general. Past speakers include actor Christopher Reed, former First Lady Barbara Bush, author and doctor Deepak Chopra, and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
In the afternoons, more than 200 exhibitors from nonprofit organizations, insurance carriers, publishing companies, and more turned out to show off their products and services. Focus sessions were also held in the afternoons. Topics covered included estate planning, core and ancillary products, employee benefits, business insurance, and practice management. In all, there were 80 speakers at the 2006 conference.
MDRT incoming president Phil Harriman said MDRT's Annual Meeting is held to help the world's best financial service professionals become even better.
"The Annual Meeting is seen as a great camaraderie builder, allowing members to develop lasting friendships and receive ideas, instruction, and encouragement from other professionals around the world," Harriman continued in his keynote speech on June 14.
According to MDRT's Web site, American producers must earn at least $69,600 in commission to be granted membership (the benchmark set for 2006). Each country has its own commission standards for qualification. For more information, visit www.mdrt.org.
