The Workers' Compensation Institute's (WCI) 69th annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (WCEC), held Aug. 17 to 20 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida, once again saw record attendance numbers. The event officially opened Aug. 18 with its general session, during which WCI General Chair Jim McConnaughhay welcomed the crowd and Steven A. Rissman, WCI's program chair, made opening remarks.
Rissman interviewed the conference's keynote speaker, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, about the hardships of his life and his perseverance in overcoming them. At the end of the interview, a few lucky attendees had the opportunity to play wide receiver to Kelly's quarterback and catch autographed footballs from the NFL Hall of Famer.
Scholarships were awarded to students whose families were affected by work-related injuries, and National Underwriter honored its Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management winners for their stellar accomplishments. Debbie Michel, president of the award's sponsor, Helmsman Management Services, was on hand to present the winners—AmQuip, Danos and Iron Mountain—with their award statuettes.
The classic comedy "Caddyshack" was the theme of this year's exhibit hall, and exhibitors went all-out with a "WCI Country Club" aesthetic. Golfers and gophers were rampant throughout the showroom floor.
Here's a look at WCEC 2014, in images.
Scott Hudson, president and CEO of Gallagher Bassett Services, and Diana J. McCluskey, chair of WCI Volunteer Activities and Service Day, present a donation to Pamela Landwirth and Mayor Clayton of Give Kids the World, a "storybook" resort in central Florida for seriously ill children.
Hudson presented the first keynote at the general session. He spoke about how the insurance industry could use some rebranding, and shared his preferred WC headline: "Next Generation Top Talent Opting for Work Comp Industry Over Technology, Consulting and Banking."
Keynote speaker Jim Kelly tossed autographed footballs to lucky audience members who correctly answered trivia questions.
Debbie Michel, president of Helmsman Management Services, sponsor of National Underwriter's Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management award, presents the statuettes to Jeffrey Hammons, vice president of risk management for AmQuip; Tommy Mayet, risk manager for Danos & Curole Marine Contractors LLC; and Geoffrey Smith, vice president of risk management for Iron Mountain.
Steven A. Rissman, WCI's program chair, interviews Jim Kelly on being "Kelly Tough" throughout his career as an NFL quarterback, the death of his son and his multiple battles with cancer.
National Underwriter P&C Editor-in-Chief Shawn Moynihan named AmQuip, Danos and Iron Mountain the winners of NU's Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management award.
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