In today's competitive marketplace, insurers are relying on innovation to gain an edge. Many companies have undertaken innovation initiatives, and some have created special working groups dedicated to finding new ways to use technology to get a leg up on the competition.

Fittingly, the 2012 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum reflects that trend. “The theme of innovation starts with our opening keynote on Wednesday and flows through our general session speakers and throughout our workshops and exhibits,” says Beth Grossman, chief learning officer for ACORD.

She points to a Thursday session on “Creating a Culture of Innovation” within Allstate Insurance Company. “Allstate is a solid example of an insurance company driving innovation across the enterprise by using a variety of different technologies, tools, and approaches,” Grossman says. “That kind of activity is also what has been driving developments at ACORD over the past year and, in turn, shaping the direction of the 2012 Insurance Systems Forum.”

ACORD members had an integral role in shaping the content and agenda for the 2012 forum. “Leaders at insurers, research firms, services firms, and others, make up our advisory council,” notes Grossman. “What comes out of that council are the hottest topics impacting the insurance industry today, which are represented in the makeup of our program.”

Program topics include buzz-worthy items such as social media tools, cloud computing, e-delivery of policies, and mobile technology. They also include perennial concerns such as enterprise architecture, operational efficiency, regulatory issues and compliance, systems development, business intelligence, and analytics.

“Analytics and business intelligence are two issues that are at the top of the list within the advisory council,” says Grossman. “Everybody is struggling with what to do with 'big data.'”

“One of the most important features of the sessions this year is that they are very forward-looking,” adds Jim Huffman, second vice president, management solutions, LOMA. “We are focused on how you can use technology in the future, not just looking back at what has been done over the past year.”

Get It To Go

This year's forum will provide attendees up-to-the-minute conference information via the 2012 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum Mobile App. Available for all major mobile devices, including both Apple and Android platforms, the app will be available both before and during the conference at www.eventmobi.com/2012isf

“Our mobile app is one of the most exciting things we've introduced at the conference this year. It demonstrates how the Insurance Systems Forum is not only a technology conference, but also an event that leverages the latest technology to help attendees make the most of their experience here,” Grossman says.

The app provides a conference agenda, information on sessions and speakers, sponsor and exhibitor details, and an interactive map. It also includes live blogging and reporting as well as a Twitter feed at #acordloma.

“People will be able to Tweet about their impressions of various sessions and expand on their networking opportunities,” Huffman says.

New Takes on Old Favorites

The 2012 Insurance Systems Forum also incorporates changes to make favorite features even better. In the exhibit hall, for example, separate theatres for demos have been eliminated in favor of one central theatre that will feature 20-minute mini-sessions.

“There will be a lot of great, interesting content in the exhibit hall,” Grossman says. “Having a single, central theatre accentuates that by making it easier for attendees to participate in the demo sessions that take place.”

Additionally, the popular “Birds of a Feather” luncheon has been revamped. In previous years, lunch sessions were formal and moderated. This year, the luncheon features five sessions on emerging topics in a more casual format that encourages discussion and participation.

“We heard from attendees last year that they truly enjoyed the Birds of a Feather luncheon, but they wanted it to be more open and broad-based,” explains Grossman. “This luncheon is a way for attendees to truly talk about what interests them and the key issues affecting them today.”

Huffman adds that the overarching objective behind new program additions and revamped features is to provide attendees of the 2012 Insurance Systems Forum information they can immediately put to use in their own companies to help transform their business.

“The Insurance Systems Forum is a venue for business leaders, technology innovators, analysts, and solution providers to come together and learn how to achieve more and stay competitive in a challenging marketplace,” he says. “We want people to leave with knowledge and tools they can take with them to drive innovation within their own organizations.”

Special Reports /

ACORD LOMA 2012: Innovation in Action

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