National trends track looks at the state of a troubledmarket

Where is the workers' compensation industry heading in the faceof soaring medical care and prescription drug costs, a softeninginsurance market and other emerging challenges?

Those are just some of the questions National Underwriter hopesto help attendees answer during the National Trends track, part ofthe Workers' Compensation Educational Conference in Orlando fromAug. 21-24.

Over 8,000 adjusters, risk managers, litigators, occupationalhealth specialists, agents, brokers and insurance company officialswill be on hand for the WCEC, which boasts over 80 sessions anddraws more than 280 exhibitors.

The National Trends program–put together by NU Editor-In-ChiefSam Friedman and an Advisory Committee of leading industryofficials–launches with a keynote address by Joseph Giles,president of Wausau Insurance Companies, exploring keyopportunities and threats facing the industry, including fraud andterrorism.

Subsequent sessions will focus on the state of the market(including emerging exposures), a terrorism coverage update, adviceon controlling medical and drug costs, a recap of state workers'comp reform efforts, tips on dealing with angry claimants and thelatest technology trends in comp.

The conference registration fee is $199 if you sign up by July29, and $235 after that deadline.

For more information and to register for the WCEC, go towww.nationalunderwriter.com/national_trends/.