Rapid innovations in communications, data storage and computingare transforming global business like never before, and insuranceprofessionals will need to adapt to stay ahead of the curve. "Tounderstand the difficulty of predicting the next 100 years," sayskeynote speaker Michio Kaku in his New York Timesbestseller Physics of the Future, "we have to appreciatethe difficulty that the people of 1900 had in predicting the worldof 2000." Recent technological advances have forever altered theinsurance market—and the economy as a whole—and even seasonedindustry veterans will need to acquire new knowledge andskills.

To help attendees thrive in this changing business environment,the 2013 ACORD LOMA Forum will focus on the intersection betweenexisting insurance practices, revolutionary technologies andchanging generational dynamics. "The insurance industry has beenmoving at such a slow pace," says Malou August, ACORD's Director ofEvents Programs. "We're listening, and we've modeled our sessionsaround all of the feedback we've gotten. We're trying to get theprogram as relevant as we can for our industry."

One of the most important themes of the Forum will be theconvergence of information technology and business. "IT is nolonger separate from business or vice-versa," says August. "It'sall blended now, and our program is dissolving into a very blendeddiscussion." Whereas IT was once a single component of theinsurance business with distinct goals and roles, it's now anintegral part of leadership, middle management and day-to-dayaffairs. Chief information officers are becoming increasinglyinfluential, tech-oriented jobs are constantly being created, andthe most successful insurance professionals are intimately familiarwith their organizations' tech policies.

"Analytics and big data will be two primary topics," notes JimHuffman, LOMA Second Vice President of Management Solutions.Google, Facebook and other consumer-focused websites are well-knownfor information collection and aggregation, but data mining is nowjust as crucial in the business world. Relevant sessions willinclude "Customer Experience Competency" with iGate and "BusinessAnalytics for Claims: Driving Superior Claims Management andService" with Premier Prizm. These and other presentations willhelp attendees to apply big data practices to their own businesses,cutting costs and raising value in this increasingly commoditizedinsurance market.

Cloud computing, a feature topic at last year's Forum, will alsobe critical. "I think that ultimately we are going to go to a lotmore cloud-based servers," comments Forum speaker and E-commerceattorney Frank Zacherl. The explosion in cloud computing has notonly expanded worldwide internet access, but increased theavailability of useful software and critical data to consumers andprofessionals like. On Wednesday, Object Management Group willpresent "Cloud Computing Standards for the Insurance World" to helpinsurers take advantage of the cloud securely and efficiently.

Other points of interest will include socialmedia, mobile technology and the regulatory issues surroundingelectronically managed insurance. In the Discussion Session "SocialMedia in Business: Friend, Foe, or Who Cares?", attendees will havethe chance to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of social sitesfor B2B and B2C engagements. Insurance attorney Susan Stead willalso present "Innovations in Insurance: A Regulatory Perspective"to explain the liabilities involved in social media and otheremerging marketing tools.

Of course, technology isn't the only force for change in theinsurance industry. Baby Boomers are beginning to retire,Millennials are making their way into the workforce, and these newgenerational dynamics are creating a whole new environment. "We'retrying to attract a broader audience and bring younger generationsinto the fold," says August. "We're doing a lot more social thingswithin our sessions, reaching out more and more to the youngerprofessionals." Huffman agrees, noting that "We're seeing a lot ofCEOs that aren't Boomers." Forum speakers will touch on strategiesfor attracting younger employees and customers, noting theparticular importance of social media among Generations X andY.

In addition to the presentations, hands-on training anddiscussion sessions, the Forum will host three keynote speakers. OnMonday, Watergate lead investigator Bob Woodward will kick off theExpo with a speech on leadership in government and business. OnTuesday, social media expert and bestselling author Charlene Liwill discuss best practices for online customer engagement. Andfinally, Wednesday's Closing General Session will feature renownedphysicist and futurist Michio Kaku, who will speak on the economicimpacts of current and future technologies.

Overall, the 10th anniversary session of the ACORD LOMA Forumwill help insurance professionals to meet the challenges of today'sinnovative, dynamic and increasingly tech-focused businessenvironment. "Innovation permeates through the program," saysHuffman. "It's been there in years past, and now it's growing.We're trying to get companies to the next level, and we as anindustry have not been the quickest to change. We need to changemore quickly."