An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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an take advantage of life's opportunities. s helping you build your financial future? western Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) and its subsidiaries. nt Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, subsidiary of NM, ered through Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® AA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. 19-1407 (0612) CEO stresses lifetime planning northwesternmutual.com , Milwaukee, WI, IN A WORLD OF INSTANT gratification and Facebook flash-and-fade attention spans, John Schlifske likes to talk about the long term. The Northwestern Mutual chairman and chief executive officer is on a mission to promote the power of following a financial game plan – not just for a year or two, but for a lifetime. "Taking a long-term approach gives people confidence in their future and leads them to financial security, even through times of uncertainty," Schlifske will tell the Milwaukee-based company's 132nd annual meeting of representatives here this month. "It starts with understanding what they want to accomplish and when, with outlining the steps to achieve their goals over time." From the helm of one of the world's most admired life insurance companies, Schlifske sees proof that this approach works. Taking a long-term view helped Northwestern Mutual to weather the recent economic storm and come out stronger than ever. Total premium for all of its insurance products was up 11% in the first five months of 2012, and the company expects to pay nearly $5 billion in dividends this year – the second-largest payout in its history. The message of managing risk and preserving financial strength strikes a chord in this economy and inspires action among people who want a secure future, notes Schlifske. Customers purchased 350,000 new insurance policies last year and retained more than 96% of their current Northwestern Mutual life insurance. As a result of these trends, the company recently announced plans to recruit more than 5,000 financial professionals in 2012 to meet the increasing demand for its products. New marketing push To amplify its financial security message, Northwestern Mutual inked a multi-year agreement in January to become the newest official corporate partner of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) through a deal with CBS Sports and Turner Sports. The company kicked off the partnership with a visible and memorable advertising campaign during 2012's NCAA March Madness® college basketball tournament. 36 A total of 3.5 million people now trust Northwestern Mutual with their insurance and investments, working in partnership with nearly 6,500 financial representatives based in 350 offices nationwide. The company not only enjoys the highest financial strength ratings awarded to any insurer by the four major credit rating agencies, it also leads all large insurers in customer satisfaction, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Destination: Milwaukee Thousands of Northwestern Mutual financial representatives who spend most days focused on clients' goals will gather here July 21-25 to continue their own "journey of excellence." The five-day event is Milwaukee's largest convention of the year and an opportunity for the acclaimed field force to learn new information and best practices, share ideas with their peers, and be inspired by their collective success. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend from across the U.S., contributing an estimated $8 million to the local economy. Private gatherings for financial representatives and their families will be held at locations ranging from the BMO Harris Bradley Center and Frontier Airlines Center to numerous hotels and cultural attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo. Kicking off with the 35th annual "Roots and Wings" run at Milwaukee's lakefront on July 22, the meeting