The Wind Insurance Network will host its 14th annual conference,WIND 2013, January 28-31 in Orlando, Florida. Well into its seconddecade as an educational event in the claims industry, and on theheels of a tumultuous year of wind damage, the timely content ofthe conference proves the words of executive director, MichelleGriffin: “No matter which direction the wind is blowing, WIND willbe there!” 

Griffin continues, “Our goal is to bring a fresh prospective tothe ever-changing claims environment in regards to windstorm whileallowing divergent points of view to be presented in a professionaland balanced manner. Each year, we hand select professionals fromthe various niche audiences that we serve, so that we have a freshapproach and constant pulse on what each group wants to learn andexplore.”

Q. How have the unique events of 2012shaped the industry and the conference thisyear?
A. According to Munich Re, theworld's biggest reinsurance firm, North America is experiencing atremendous rise in extreme weather disasters, a nearly fivefoldincrease over the past three decades. Specifically, Munich Rereported a 35-percent increase in the size of storms in the Gulf ofMexico since 1995 and also concluded that this is due to climatechange, which will unquestionably continue in thefuture. 

Given these conditions, while staying current with theever-changing world of insurance, WIND attempts to integrate allfactors to the best of its ability to ensure the conference iseducational and that attendees are provided with the knowledge theyneed to excel in the field. 

In light of recent events, the conference provides crucialinsight into the latest technological advances that may assist theinsurance professionals in their claims investigations, includingthose stemming from Sandy.

Q. What's new at the WIND conferencethis year?
A. In addition to theupdated educational sessions, CE offerings, and networking, WINDhas added a class titled, “Bayous, Bays, and Boroughs: The 'MoneyPits' of the Insurance Industry” to address the new adjusting andinsurance claims issues that are arising from Hurricane Sandy. WINDprides itself on being at the forefront of trending/hot topicindustry issues and Superstorm Sandy will undoubtedly impact ourindustry for many years to come. 

We have taken extra steps to ensure the entire Gulf Coast andEastern seaboard is involved in the discussion. We actively pursuedspeakers along the Gulf Coast and have involved many speakers fromthe insurance carrier side of the industry. 

Q. What unique insights will keynotespeakers Reed Timmer and Dr. William Gray bring for claimsprofessionals?
A. We are excited tobring back one of the nation's prominent hurricane forecasters toour conference, Dr. William Gray. He will speak on “Past and LikelyFuture Variations in Hurricane Wind Damage,” and briefly discussthe unusual hurricane season of 2012 (including Sandy) and offer anoutlook for the 2013 season. A discussion of the surprisingly largemulti-decadal cycles in U.S. landfalling major hurricane activitywill also be given. 

Also helping round out the expert lineup is Reed Timmer, thestar of Discovery's “Storm Chasers” show. Timmer will bring afirst-hand look at his work as a tornado storm chaser and will alsobe displaying his specially designed chaser vehicle, The Dominator,at the conference. 

Q. Why is the conference particularlyvital for P&C claimsprofessionals?
A. It is essentialfor industry and claims professionals to meet together to reviewand discuss the myriad issues that have significant effects on theinsurance claims/recovery process. Working together not onlypromotes positive relationships between often opposing sides, butit also creates an enjoyable work experience, which helps theclaims professionals expedite the resolution of an insuranceclaim.

Our conference is not just a regional event—our reach isnationwide, with nearly three quarters of all 50 statesrepresented. We also have had attendees travel from Europe, Canadaand South America to attend our annual conference. The quality andmaterial we offer for the windstorm property insurance industry isreally unparalleled. 

In addition, I do not know of any other conference that providesthe opportunity to obtain a large number and wide variety ofcontinuous education credits in one place.