Big I Wny
Big I Western New York is a regional trade association supporting approximately 100 independent insurance agencies in Western New York through membership, continuing education, legislative advocacy, networking events, and the NeXtGen and Project Invest youth-development programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1841
- HeadquartersOrchard Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Big I Wny does
Big I Western New York (Big I WNY) is a regional, member-funded trade association that supports independent insurance agencies and agents in the Western New York market, with an operational base in Orchard Park, NY. The organization is affiliated with the state-level Big I New York and the national Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA), and serves approximately 100 member agencies alongside a base of corporate sponsor partners including Arthur J. Gallagher, RT Specialty, XPT Specialty, Great American Insurance Group, and Philadelphia Insurance. Its stated mission is to represent independent agents who place coverage with multiple carriers, in contrast to captive or direct channels, and to deliver advocacy, professional development, and community programming.
Core programs include the NeXtGen initiative for young insurance professionals (under 40), the Project Invest high-school education pipeline operating across four Western New York high schools, continuing-education (CE) classes delivered with the Big I NY education team, the annual Roger M. Gurney Memorial Golf Outing, the Pioneer Award recognition program (dating back to at least 2010), legislative advocacy events, and a member portal. Underlying technology is limited to a standard association-management platform with member portal, event registration, and email/social communications.
The business model is non-dues-diversified: annual membership dues from independent agencies (subscription), event-based transaction revenue from golf outings, CE classes, holiday luncheons, legislative breakfasts, and NeXtGen events (with member/non-member pricing tiers), and tiered annual corporate sponsorships (Bronze through Diamond/Elite, ranging from $100 to $3,000). Marketing reaches members and prospects through the website (bigiwny.com), monthly email newsletters, Facebook and LinkedIn groups, in-person events, and the national Trusted Choice "Find an Agent" consumer directory. Day-to-day operations are lean, run by a single Executive Director (Jeanne E. Hellert) supported by an elected officer and director board drawn from member agencies.
Big I Wny firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big I Wny
- Legal name
- Big I Western New York
- Website
- https://bigiwny.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1841
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Big I Western New York is a regional trade association supporting approximately 100 independent insurance agencies in Western New York through membership, continuing education, legislative advocacy, networking events, and the NeXtGen and Project Invest youth-development programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Big I Wny is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orchard Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big I Wny business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for independent insurance agents and agencies. Members receive access to CE credits, advocacy representation, networking events, and industry resources.
- Event Revenue: Registration fees for golf outings, CE classes, holiday luncheons, legislative breakfasts, and networking events. Events include both member and non-member pricing tiers.
- Annual Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors pay annual fees at various tiers (Elite, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) for visibility at events and recognition as supporters of the independent insurance agent community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Golf Outing - Single Golfer |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Golf Outing Sponsorship Tiers |
| Unit Pricing | One time | CE Class Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | NeXtGen Sponsorship Tiers |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Annual Christmas Luncheon |
| Unit Pricing | One time | NeXtGen Events |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Legislative Breakfast |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Big I Wny product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big I Western New York is a regional nonprofit trade association that supports independent insurance agents and agencies in Western New York through membership services. It delivers advocacy at state and national levels, continuing education credits, networking events, professional development programs such as NeXtGen, and educational outreach such as Project Invest. Memberships are available to agent and affiliate members, and corporate sponsors fund events through tiered annual sponsorship packages.
Product overview
Big I WNY is a regional trade association serving independent insurance agents and brokers in Western New York. The organization operates as a single unified offering centered on membership services that provide access to multiple insurance carriers, professional development, advocacy, and community networking. Key products include the NeXtGen Program for young professionals, Project Invest educational outreach to high schools, CE class offerings, the Pioneer Award recognition program, and annual events including the Roger M. Gurney Memorial Golf Outing and Legislative Breakfast events. Member services are delivered through a member portal with resources, networking opportunities, and industry advocacy support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project Invest: High school insurance education program teaching students about the insurance industry and providing scholarships
- NeXtGen
Products and services
- Agent Membership Annual membership for independent insurance agencies in Western New York, providing access to multiple carrier representation support, advocacy, CE credits, networking events, and industry resources via a member portal.
- Affiliate Membership Annual membership for insurance carriers, wholesalers, and service providers seeking access to the Western New York independent agent distribution channel.
- NeXtGen Program Professional development and networking program for insurance professionals under 40 or new to the independent agency channel, offering CE credits, networking events, and community involvement.
- Project Invest Educational program presented to high school seniors in the Academy of Business & Finance, introducing insurance industry basics and career pathways, with scholarship opportunities supported by the annual golf outing.
- CE Class Offerings Continuing education classes covering insurance law, ethics, diversity and inclusion, and flood insurance, taught by Big I NY education team experts for members and non-members.
- Annual Golf Outing (Roger M. Gurney Memorial) Annual golf tournament supporting the Project Invest Scholarship Fund, with multiple sponsorship tiers and community networking opportunities for members, sponsors, and agents.
- Legislative Advocacy Events Events connecting members with legislators to discuss issues critical to the independent insurance industry, including market conditions and regulatory matters.
- Pioneer Award Annual recognition program honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the insurance industry in Western New York.
- Trusted Choice Find an Agent Directory Listing Consumer-facing directory placement that connects insurance buyers with Big I WNY member agencies through the national Trusted Choice brand.
Quantifiable outcome
- Independent agencies placed 61.5% of all U.S. property/casualty insurance in 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Big I Wny
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big I Wny technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Big I Wny partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, key and major.
- Big I New YorkcoreParent state-level organization. Big I WNY is affiliated with Big I NY and the Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA). Big I NY provides state advocacy, CE resources, cyber resources, and industry news.
- Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA)coreNational parent organization. Big I WNY is affiliated with IIAA alongside Big I NY. Membership connotes professionalism, community involvement and a clear commitment to clients.
- Trusted ChoicecoreNational marketing brand created exclusively for Big I members to help consumers understand the value of independent agents. Provides the Find an Agent directory for consumer referrals to member agencies.
- Project Invest (National)coreNational program that educates high school and community college students on insurance, financial services and risk management topics. Local program includes Clarence, Depew, Hamburg, and Lakeshore High Schools.
- FeedMore WNYminorLocal food bank receiving charitable donations from Big I WNY events. Raised $2,500 at December 2024 holiday luncheon.
- Be A Blessing BuffalominorLocal nonprofit helping families in need, selected as NeXtGen Shop Till You Drop charity recipient.
- RT SpecialtykeyDiamond sponsor for NeXtGen events and annual sponsor. R-T Specialty / Buffalo hosts events at their Depew location and provides sponsorship support.
- XPT SpecialtykeyDiamond annual sponsor and NeXtGen event sponsor. Major supporter of association events and programs.
- Gallagher (Arthur J. Gallagher)keyElite annual sponsor and frequent event sponsor. Multiple Gallagher employees serve on the board (Patrick Erickson - President, Laura Bunting - NeXtGen Chair).
- Great American Insurance GroupmajorGold annual sponsor and NeXtGen event sponsor. Provides sponsorship support for various association events.
- Philadelphia InsurancemajorGold NeXtGen event sponsor supporting young professional development programs.
- Weed RossmajorGold NeXtGen event sponsor and installation event sponsor.
- Erie InsurancemajorWill Salter from Erie Insurance coordinates Project Invest volunteer opportunities. Silver sponsor for golf events.
- LawleymajorBoard member (Melissa Ragona), NeXtGen planning committee member (Ashley Engl), and event sponsor for Speed Networking.
- W.H. Greene & AssociatesmajorGold annual sponsor and golf event sponsor. Board member Kyle Burch.
- Carstar CollisionmajorPlatinum annual sponsor and golf event sponsor.
- Walsh InsurancemajorPlatinum annual sponsor. Leslie Konter serves as Treasurer and NeXtGen planning committee.
- Specific SolutionsmajorGold annual sponsor and event sponsor for golf outings and installation events.
- Genesee Patrons Cooperative Insurance CompanyminorSilver annual sponsor supporting association programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Big I Wny competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big I Wny social profiles
Digital presenceBig I Wny financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big I Wny leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Big I Wny funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big I Wny M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big I Wny
What does Big I Wny do?
Big I Western New York is a regional nonprofit trade association that supports independent insurance agents and agencies in Western New York through membership services. It delivers advocacy at state and national levels, continuing education credits, networking events, professional development programs such as NeXtGen, and educational outreach such as Project Invest. Memberships are available to agent and affiliate members, and corporate sponsors fund events through tiered annual sponsorship packages.
Is Big I Wny a public or private company?
Big I Wny is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Big I Wny founded?
Big I Wny was founded in 1841. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Big I Wny based?
Big I Wny is headquartered in Orchard Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big I Wny make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are event Revenue and annual Sponsorships.
Does Big I Wny have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big I Wny.