Ms. Hughes is scheduled to address the session on May 29, and Ms. Ignagini is scheduled to speak on May 30.

The conference brings insurance brokers who handle benefits lines together with insurance carriers from throughout the country to discuss critical issues in the benefits sector.

The conference includes panel discussions on new trends in benefit plan design and the outlook for major legislative initiatives or regulatory changes affecting the benefits arena.

There are also specialized sessions on the implementation of new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy regulations.

"With health care costs increasing at double-digit rates and the economy still in the doldrums, many of the givens of employee benefit plans are being scaled back and traditional solutions are no longer working," said Robert N. Munao.

Mr. Munao is chair of the Council of Employee Benefits Executives and president of Thesco Benefits, LLC, based in New York City. He added that the forum is coming at a critical time for brokers who "must prepare for changing market conditions and the new opportunities they bring."

Additional information is available at the association's Web site at www.ciab.com.