In today's competitive marketplace, insurers are relying oninnovation to gain an edge. Many companies have undertakeninnovation initiatives, and some have created special workinggroups dedicated to finding new ways to use technology to get a legup on the competition.

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

She points to a Thursday session on “Creating a Culture ofInnovation” within Allstate Insurance Company. “Allstate is a solidexample of an insurance company driving innovation across theenterprise by using a variety of different technologies, tools, andapproaches,” Grossman says. “That kind of activity is also what hasbeen 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 andagenda for the 2012 forum. “Leaders at insurers, research firms,services firms, and others, make up our advisory council,” notesGrossman. “What comes out of that council are the hottest topicsimpacting the insurance industry today, which are represented inthe makeup of our program.”

Program topics include buzz-worthy items such as social mediatools, cloud computing, e-delivery of policies, and mobiletechnology. They also include perennial concerns such as enterprisearchitecture, operational efficiency, regulatory issues andcompliance, systems development, business intelligence, andanalytics.

“Analytics and business intelligence are two issues that are atthe 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 isthat they are very forward-looking,” adds Jim Huffman, second vicepresident, management solutions, LOMA. “We are focused on how youcan use technology in the future, not just looking back at what hasbeen done over the past year.”

Get It To Go

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

“Our mobile app is one of the most exciting things we'veintroduced at the conference this year. It demonstrates how theInsurance Systems Forum is not only a technology conference, butalso an event that leverages the latest technology to helpattendees make the most of their experience here,” Grossmansays.

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

“People will be able to Tweet about their impressions of varioussessions and expand on their networking opportunities,” Huffmansays.

New Takes on OldFavorites

The 2012 Insurance Systems Forum also incorporates changes tomake favorite features even better. In the exhibit hall, forexample, separate theatres for demos have been eliminated in favorof one central theatre that will feature 20-minutemini-sessions.

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

Additionally, the popular “Birds of a Feather” luncheon has beenrevamped. In previous years, lunch sessions were formal andmoderated. This year, the luncheon features five sessions onemerging topics in a more casual format that encourages discussionand participation.

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

Huffman adds that the overarching objective behind new programadditions and revamped features is to provide attendees of the 2012Insurance Systems Forum information they can immediately put to usein 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 cometogether and learn how to achieve more and stay competitive in achallenging marketplace,” he says. “We want people to leave withknowledge and tools they can take with them to drive innovationwithin their own organizations.”