Despite the laid-back reputation that much of the South enjoys, "Music City" is no stranger to tense situations. The most recent major catastrophe came in the form of floods in May of 2010, when the Nashville, Tenn. area saw between 18 and 20 inches of rainfall. The National Weather Service's most recent service assessment estimated total property damages to exceed $2 billion.
Many may wonder how a city could possibly recover after such a devastating weather event. However, Nashville is not only recovering, but those involved in the insurance claims industry have used the catastrophe as a chance to learn. At this year's PLRB conference, which will be held at the renovated Gaylord Opryland Hotel, three classes will deal specifically with the damage and recovery process adjusters went through following the Nashville floods.
One of the classes that will use the recent flood damage to highlight effective catastrophe claim-handling techniques will be led by the risk manager and adjuster for the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, both of whom were involved in handling the hotel's claim for the flood last spring. They'll discuss how they handled the claim and directed the recovery from the initial stages, to the fully renovated hotel and convention center where the classes will be held.
Another session will deal with the damage done to valuable musical instruments during last year's floods. Many famous musicians' instruments are stored or displayed in Nashville, and Walter Carter, who manages Gruhn Guitars in the downtown Nashville area, will teach attendees all about the losses suffered, and the type of damage instruments endure in that kind of catastrophe. The owner of Gruhn Guitars, George Gruhn, is a leading authority on vintage stringed instruments, and according to the assistant vice president of educational and technical services Scott Powell, "He (George) is the guitar guru for many of the top musicians all over the world."
Obviously, because of the huge amount of loss that the floods caused and the recent nature of the events, flood damage will be a hot topic this year. But with 99 classes available, there is bound to be something for everyone to take part in.
The popular "Core Claim Skills" educational program will be conducted again this year, after it got such a positive response at 2010's conference. Attendees that register for the eight, 90-minute classes will be offered two different tracks, either in property claims, or casualty claims. Adjusters with two to seven years of experience are encouraged to register for the tracks that will present them with new challenges to address, including coverage analysis, investigations, and claim resolution that are fundamental to their overall success. Upon completion of required classes, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from PLRB/LIRB.
"Estimating Systems Training" will be held in two separate sessions on Sunday afternoon, when MSB, PowerClaim, Simsol, and Xactware companies will each offer guests training courses on how to use their building damage estimating systems. The first session covers the basics for professionals who are new to using the system, and the second will cover more complex issues for experienced users.
Another complex issue that will be examined during the conference is that of Medicare. Melissa Zwilling of Partner/Carr Allison, Birmingham, Ala., will break down the most important points that claims professionals will need to know when it comes to complying with Medicare regulations in, "Medicare Compliance, Liens, and Set-Asides." She will address how to protect Medicare's interest in a claim settlement, reporting appropriate claims in accordance with Section 111 reporting, and evaluating claims to determine whether or not a Medicare set-aside is appropriate.
Guests will even have the chance to learn about creating their own successful presentations this year, at "Quality Presentations: Keeping Them Engaged and Organized." Guests will learn the most effective methods for presenting important information in a professional manner.
The conference won't be all about work, though, as organizers have arranged a luncheon presentation to immerse guests in the rich history of the Nashville music scene. On Wednesday, April 6, Robert K. Oermann will present "Origins of Nashville Music" during a complimentary lunch hosted by the PLRB. As a new feature debuting at the 2011 conference, the presentation is designed to give every attendee a chance to relax and enjoy learning about something new and uniquely Nashville. After authoring eight books, and winning numerous honors such as the 2000 President's Award from the Recording Academy, Oermann is sure to provide a wealth of information for any music lover, history buff, or Nashville enthusiast.
The 2011 exhibitor floor will offer even more chances for participants to learn something new, as hundreds of companies take the floor to showcase their latest products. This year, guests will get a closer look at some of the products available by watching special presentations, wherein two companies will be given exclusive space inside the expo to demonstrate their products for a limited period of time. This will allow guests to get an in-depth look at the products available. There are more exhibitors this year than the last, and with about 300 companies exhibiting, come thousands of new products to keep up with.
With a total of 1,800 to 2,000 attendees expected, the convention is offering plenty of courses for everyone. Whether your goal is to garner credits through certification programs, learn more about hot topics such as Medicare compliance, or to enjoy a part of Nashville's history, the 2011 PLRB Claims Conference will provide ample opportunities for claims professionals looking to learn. Despite the damaging weather the area experienced just a short time ago, the city is recovering even stronger than before, and claims professionals can be proud to be a part of the revitalization.
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