Benefit Confab Reset After Ivan Cancellation

Benefit Confab Reset After Ivan Cancellation

NU Online News Service, Sept. 24, 2:25 p.m. EDT?The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans said that its annual conference has been rescheduled for Nov.30 through Dec.4 in New Orleans.[@@]

The original 50^th Annual Employee Benefits Conference, set for a Sept. 19 start, was cancelled when Hurricane Ivan appeared headed for New Orleans.

IFEBF said pre-conference sessions will be on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The Exhibit Hall will be open Dec. 1-3.

Approximately 8,000 people are expected to attend the conference, including 4,000 registrants, 300 speakers, 200 exhibitors and other guests. The conference was originally expected to draw 10,000.

The foundation said the program remains intact, with most of the originally scheduled speakers agreeing to speak on their previously scheduled topics.

Michael Wilson, chief executive officer of the foundation said, "We asked our members if they'd be willing to come back to New Orleans at the end of November. A significant number said, ?Absolutely.'"

The conference provides education for labor and management trustees who serve employee benefit funds, including health and welfare as well as pension funds. Topics covered include health care cost management, fiduciary responsibility, investments and more. Over 150 sessions are offered.

Conference registrants and other participants with questions can contact the International Foundation's Registrations Department at (888) 334-3327, option 2. Information is also available on the Foundation's Web site at www.ifebp.org.