Emerging Risks, Economics Are RIMS Confab Topics

NU Online News Service, April 16, 8:52 a.m. EDT

Emerging risks and the current economic situation's impact will be among topics covered at the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Fla., April 19-23, the organization said.

Other topics at the week-long conference will include the latest enterprise risk management (ERM) tools and techniques, the top 10 litigation traps for risk professionals, and insurance contract negotiation.

Mary Roth, RIMS executive director, said in a statement, "With the business spotlight focused on risk management practices, this is the time for risk professionals to stretch their knowledge, expand their resources and develop strategies to further their organizations' strategic business goals."

The conference features keynote presentations from some of the world's authorities on leadership and change:

o Leadership consultant Dennis N.T. Perkins, author of "Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition," will present strategies for success based on effective leadership in demanding environments.

o Harvard Business School professor John Kotter, change consultant and author of "Leading Change," will share the secrets to aligning business goals and embracing effective change management.

o Financial journalist Roger Lowenstein, author of "When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management," will discuss the downfall of the U.S. hedge fund company Long-Term Capital Management and the issues facing the current global credit crisis.

The conference has scheduled 350 expert speakers who will lead over 120 sessions on a variety of critical risk management issues.

Hot Topic sessions include Navigating the Financial Tsunami, Five Questions to Ask Before Switching Insurance Companies, Insurance Coverage for Subprime Mortgage Lawsuits and D&O Insurance During the Economic Crisis.

RIMS 2009 will also offer Strategic Partner Sessions from the nation's leading insurers and brokers covering topics that address the needs and concerns of the risk management and insurance community.

RIMS said there will be a number of networking opportunities for risk practitioners during the conference, including RIMS third annual Community Service Day, Spencer Educational Foundation's annual golf and hockey tournament fundraisers, an internationally themed reception at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center, and an Exhibit Hall wine and cheese reception.

The Exhibit Hall will feature more than 400 companies offering the latest in products and services for the risk management profession. For the first time, RIMS' popular online ERM Center of Excellence sets up shop in the Exhibit Hall.

The booth will be staffed by risk managers, including members of RIMS ERM Development Committee, and is stocked with copies of various reports including RIMS State of ERM Report 2008 as well as the "Enterprise Risk Management for Dummies" guide.

A computer will be on hand at the booth for online viewing of the RIMS Risk Maturity Model for ERM.

RIMS said it will be using technology to provide conference highlights for attendees and for risk practitioners who are unable to attend the conference, at http://twitter.com/RIMS2009.