The Malvern, Pa.-based Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters society said it will open its annual meeting to non-members beginning with its annual meeting next year.

The CPCU society said it was taking the action to underscore its support for ever-increasing levels of professionalism throughout the property and casualty insurance industry.

The new policy, announced by society President Marvin Kelly, becomes effective with the society's annual meeting and seminars scheduled for Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2009 in Denver.

“The society must venture outside its comfort level and embrace the future by expanding its base of potential participants,” said Mr. Kelly.

The CPCU society said it was making the move in an effort to increase interest in the designation and replenish the industry's workforce that is entering retirement age.

Mr. Kelly added that the society's action will assist in the critical need to increase minority participation in the ranks. He noted that only 1.9 percent of the society's nearly 28,000 members are African American; only 1.7 percent are Hispanic; and only 1.4 percent Asian.

The CPCU society said it is making plans for an aggressive multifaceted campaign over the next several months to assure widespread awareness of “this new broadly inclusive approach” to its annual meeting and seminars.