Information about the 2010 Awards Program
This page contains the general rules and requirements of the Application Deadline:
April 15, 2010 — For recognition in the July/August issue of the GAMA International Journal 2010 GAMA Awards Program and the answers to some frequently asked questions. (This page is also available as a print-ready pdf.)
If you don't find the answers you need below, please contact your awards certifier (home office representative) or call the GAMA International Member Services Center at
1-888-275-0091.
How to Apply
What award do I qualify for?
To help you complete the awards application as accurately as possible, please consult the table below to determine which award you qualify for and which forms you will need to complete. [Back to How To]
Leadership Teams |
Leadership Team Award: Recognizes team’s commitment to professional development through participation in GAMA International
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Recruiting Specialists |
Recruiting Specialist Award: Recognizes importance of recruiter in agency or firm |
Frontline Managers |
Frontline Leader Award (formerly the Career Development Award): Recognizes frontline or second/middle-line managers (sales or unit managers) in ordinary/traditional and multiline sectors |
First-Line Managers & Frontline Managers |
International Management Award: Recognizes first-line managers (agency or firm heads) and frontline or second/middle-line managers (sales or unit managers) in multiline, ordinary/traditional, midmarket, financial planning and home service sectors |
First-Line Managers |
Master Agency Award/Master Firm Award: Recognizes agency or firm itself for being at top of industry; agency or firm must exceed $7,600,000 commission level to qualify |
First-Line Managers |
Master Multiline Award: Recognizes agency or firm itself for being at top of industry; agency or firm must meet or exceed $600,000 in gross life and annuity premiums and at least $10,000,000 in gross property and casulty premiums to qualify |
What additional materials do I need?
Please note that in addition to the online forms, the following materials may be required:
- Any applicant with broker/dealer and property and casualty commissions must complete this certification form and submit it with the completed application
- Please consult the reference tables for information on eligible production credits
- Those who need to convert commission levels from non-U.S. currency should consult the international conversion reference tables.
- Only GAMA International members are eligible to participate in this awards program.
Each application contains specific instructions about any additional forms or certifications that must accompany your application packet. Please note that GAMA only accepts applications that are mailed and that contain the original signature of the applicant. Additional information about the specific criteria in the awards program is contained below. [Back to How To]
The criteria below determine eligibility for all GAMA International Distribution Management Awards:
- Leadership Team Award
- Recruiting Specialist Award
- Frontline Leader Award
- International Management Award
- Master Agency Award
- Master Firm Award
- Master Multiline Award.
By applying for a GAMA International award, the applicant certifies that he or she meets all award criteria. [Back to Rules]
Applicant Position: Except for the Recruiting Specialist Award, the applicant must be a nonsalaried, commissioned field leader who manages people and activities that generate sales. Applicants for the Frontline Leader Award and the International Management Award must base their applications solely on business produced by their agency or firm while they were in active direction of that unit, agency or firm. [Back to Rules]
Application Completion and Submission: All forms will be available online beginning Jan. 1, 2010. These are electronic forms that can be filled out, saved and printed. Please make sure that all submitted applications are legible, complete (including calculations) and signed. In addition to the applicant's signature, all forms must be approved as signed by your home office certifier. GAMA is not responsable for any delays or errors because of incomplete submissions.
Mail your completed application and payment to GAMA Internationsl Awards, 2901 Telestar Court, Suite 140, Falls Chuirch, VA 22042. Only submissions received through the mail will be accepted. GAMA International will not accept faxed or e-mailed applications. [Back to Rules]
Application Deadlines
- Feb. 4, 2010 for recognition at LAMP 2010
- April 15, 2010 for recognition in the July/August GAMA International Journal [Back to Rules]
Commission Eligibility: Commissions in excess of 70 percent of premium are not allowed in fulfillment of the minimum requirement. In cases of disagreement about commissions or agent supervision, an applicant’s home office shall make the final decision. [Back to Rules]
Commissions From Multiple Companies: Commissions from more than one company may be submitted to fulfill the minimum requirement. Each company must certify the specific amounts of business attributed to it. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the total amount of business submitted equals or exceeds the minimum award requirements. Please make copies of the application for each company to complete.
Total all commissions and enter that information on the original application. Attach additional information and certification to the original and submit. Applications without all of the information totaled on one sheet will be considered incomplete. [Back to Rules]
Filing Fee: All applications must be accompanied by payment. We cannot match applications with payments submitted separately. If membership dues and application fees have not been paid, award qualifiers will not be certified, listed in the GAMA International Journal or recognized at LAMP.[Back to Rules]
GAMA Membership: Each applicant must be an active member of GAMA International in good standing for the calendar year 2010.
Many application forms require your GAMA member ID number. You can find this seven-digit number on your member card or on your GAMA International Journal mailing label.[Back to Rules]
Home Office Certification: The home office of the applicant’s company or companies must certify all applications. [Back to Rules]
Notification of Award: All certified qualifiers will be notified in June 2010. Depending on your company’s arrangement with GAMA International, you will receive your qualifying certificate either directly from GAMA International or from your awards certifier. Please clarify this with your company before you submit your application so you will know when to expect your qualifying certificate. A complete list of certified award recipients will be posted at www.gamaweb.com in August 2010. [Back to Rules]
“Plus” Award Status: To support our partnership with NAIFA and state and local associates, GAMA International will additionally recognize those award recipients who qualify for the 2009 NAIFA Manager’s Membership Award with a “Plus” designation (for example, Master Agency Award – Plus). For details on the NAIFA Manager’s Membership Award eligibility, please call NAIFA at 1-877-866-2432 or visit www.naifa.org. To qualify for “Plus” status, applicants must include a copy of the 2009 Manager’s Membership Award certificate issued by NAIFA with the awards application. (Copies cannot be returned.) [Back to Rules]
Product Eligibility: The minimum requirements for all commission-based awards must be fulfilled by commissions paid during the 2009 calendar year on the following types of business:
- Unlimited Credit: Life insurance, annuities, disability income, pensions, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term care, critical illness and endowments
- Limited Credit: Health insurance, pensions from non-life insurance companies, mutual funds, securities, wrap accounts/asset management accounts and planning fees
- Property and casualty insurance. [Back to Rules]
Recognition Plaques and Frames: A distinguished selection of recognition plaques and frames has been created for the GAMA awards program. Please see the order form and related FAQs below. [Back to Rules]
Special Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Invitation: 2010 International Management Award qualifiers at the Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver levels with five or more MDRT associates from their firm attending the 2010 MDRT meeting have the opportunity to accompany them. Please note that attendees must pay the MDRT registration fee and that MDRT reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who attend under this program. Registration forms will be available in February 2010. To request a form, contact Membership Department, Million Dollar Round Table, 325 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. For additional information, call 1-847-692-6378. [Back to Rules]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the GAMA International Awards?
The GAMA International awards recognize excellence in traditional and contemporary field management throughout the financial services industry. They include the following prestigious awards:
- Leadership Team Award
- Recruiting Specialist Award
- Frontline Leader Award
- International Management Award
- Master Agency Award
- Master Firm Award
- Master Multiline Award. [Back to Questions]
How do I apply?
First, be sure that you have renewed your GAMA membership. Only GAMA members are eligible to apply for the awards. If you have not yet renewed, please call our Member Services Center at 1-888-275-0091 to renew today.
Next, review the General Rules and Requirements (above) and the GAMA Awards Program information packet (mailed in December 2009 or available online) to be certain that you are taking all of the proper steps to be recognized. Review all of the requirements for each of the awards. Determine which award you are qualified for and follow all instructions on the application.
Make certain that your certification(s) are completed, signed and dated. Forward the application, certification and filing fee to GAMA International Awards, 2901 Telestar Court, Suite 140, Falls Church, VA 22042.
Incomplete applications will be returned. Applications that are returned must be completed and resubmitted to GAMA International by the original deadline dates. [Back to Questions]
What are the filing fees?
The following filing fees are required with your application:
- Recruiting Specialist Award – $50
- Frontline Leader Award – $70
- Master Agency Award, Master Firm Award, Master Multiline Award — $220
- International Management Award – $110 (if you qualify for the Master Agency, Master Firm or Master Multiline Awards, you are automatically entered for the IMA and do not need to submit an IMA application or filing fee).
- There is no filing fee for the Leadership Team Award. [Back to Questions]
How do I receive another copy of the application?
Awards applications may be downloaded from our Web site at www.gamaweb.com/awards, beginning Jan. 1, 2010; this online copy can be filled out on your computer, printed and saved. If you do not have access to the Internet, we can mail you another copy. Please call the Member Services Center at 1-888-275-0091. [Back to Questions]
What if my agency/firm does not have any property and casualty or broker/dealer business?
Property and casualty, noninsurance products and any products other than individual life are not mandatory. Simply total your production without any of these products and leave those portions of the certification form blank. [Back to Questions]
If my agency/firm uses more than one company's products, how do I obtain certification?
Photocopy the original certification form and use the copies for as many companies as needed. All certifications must be included with the completed, mailed application. We cannot match certifications and applications that are sent separately to GAMA. (See the rules on commissions from multiple companies and application completion in the General Rules and Requirements section for more details.) [Back to Questions]
How does GAMA International establish its criteria for the Frontline Leader Award and the International Management Award in the categories of ordinary/traditional and financial planning?
GAMA International follows the guidelines established by the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in determining eligible production credits. [Back to Questions]
For the International Management Award, how do I handle a gemini agency/firm or co-general agent/manager situation?
In cases of gemini agencies or co-general agent/manager situations, field office heads may apply jointly if they do not have double the minimum IMA production credits required to file separately for a certain level. When applications are made jointly, one joint award is presented to the applicants.
- Scenario 1 — Smith and Jones have $1,800,000 in production credits and want to file for the International Management Award – Platinum. Since they do not have enough production credits to file separately at this level, they opt to file one joint application for the IMA Platinum. (If they filed separately, they would file using $900,000 for each of them and receive the IMA Silver.) The award is issued to Smith and Jones. They pay $110 plus $50 for the extra applicant, for a total application fee of $160.
If field office heads do have double the minimum IMA production credits required for a certain level, they may opt to file separate applications. In these cases, each applicant is issued his or her own award.
- Scenario 2 — Smith and Jones have $3,600,000 in production credits and prefer to get individual awards. Rather than applying for one joint International Management Award – Diamond as in scenario 1, they opt to file two separate applications for the International Management Award – Platinum. Each person, Smith and Jones, receives his or her own award. Since they opted to apply for two awards, they would pay $110 each, for a total application fee of $220. [Back to Questions]
If I qualify for the Master Agency Award, Master Firm Award or Master Multiline Award, must I separately apply for the International Management Award?
No. All Master Agency Award, Master Firm Award or Master Multiline Award qualifiers are automatically certified for the International Management Award and will receive recognition for both awards. You only need to apply for the Master Agency Award, Master Firm Award or Master Multiline Award. [Back to Questions]
Can I apply for both the FLA and the IMA?
Yes, you may apply for both awards if you meet the criteria for both awards. This requires that you manage at least eight full-time agents, as well as meet minimum commission levels for both awards. To receive both awards, you must apply for each award individually and pay the fee for each award. [Back to Questions]
How do I order a plaque to announce my award?
Please review the plaque order form, and choose the plaque designed for your award.
- If you order a plaque for the International Management Award or the Frontline Leader Award, choose whether you would like a single-year plaque for the current year only or a 5- or 10-year plaque to which you can add plates for additional years. If you choose a 5- or 10-year plaque, the plate for the current award year is always included in your order. You do not need to order an additional add-on plate for the current award year.
- The Leadership Team Award plaque is only available in a 5-year option.
Be sure to list your award level on your plaque order. Check the box if you are a “Plus” award qualifier. List the name as you would like it to appear on the plaque (this could be your name or the agency/firm name, depending on award type and personal preference).
Include a valid e-mail address on your order form so that we may contact you with proofs for approval before engraving.
For more information, please contact GAMA at 1-800-345-2687 or awards@gamaweb.com. [Back to Questions]
What is an add-on plate? Do I need to order one with my plaque?
Many plaques are multiyear, with space to attach plates that list additional years in which you qualified for the award. If you are ordering your first plaque and this is the first year in which you qualified for an award, then you do not need to order an add-on year plate. The current year plate is always delivered with the plaque.
If you already have a plaque and wish to order a plate for the current year or you wish to commemorate the achievements of additional years, then you can do this by ordering add-on year plates.
- For plaques distributed prior to 2008: Select the bronze add-on year plate option, specify the award year and award level and check the appropriate box if you are a “Plus” award qualifier. The bronze add-on year plates attach to your plaque with adhesive tape.
- For plaques received in 2008 or 2010: Select the silver add-on year plate option, specify the award year and award level and check the appropriate box if you are a “Plus” award qualifier. The silver add-on year plates attach to your plaque magnetically.
Include a valid e-mail address on your order form so that we may contact you with proofs for approval before engraving. [Back to Questions]
Were there any changes to the awards qualification criteria or application process for the 2010 awards?
- For 2010, a commission level of $7,600,000 must be reached in order to qualify for the Master Agency Award and the Master Firm Award.
- Multiline agencies should now use the Master Multiline Award application and qualification criteria. [Back to Questions]
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