WCEC 2015 session preview: The best risk management program in the country

The two-day Risk Management Program at the Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference has been gaining steam over the last couple of years. This year, it takes place Aug. 24 and 25, 2015, and I believe that it’s clearly the best and most substantive risk management program available anywhere.

The afternoon of Monday, August 24, is as good as it gets. Three of the most respected risk managers in the country—David Stills from Walmart, Marc Salm from Publix Super Markets and Mike Fenlon from UPS—present “Lessons I Have Learned in My Risk Management Career.” This is not a series of “war stories;” the risk managers will provide attendees with specific lessons that they can take home and incorporate into their own risk management programs.

The second hour of the day is equally noteworthy. Michele Adams from Walt Disney World Resort, Tara Acton from CenturyLink, and Valerie Franco from Lowe’s combine to present a topic called “Women in Risk Management.” These three distinguished women who lead their organizations’ risk management teams will discuss the challenges and opportunities that they have faced.

On Tuesday, August 25, we start with a program called “Comp Talks,” three short but powerful presentations that will provide insight into medical and management issues. Our panelists are heavyweights in three fields: risk management (Michele Adams), brokers (Joe Piccone, Charlie Martin, and Jeff Seibert) and medicine (Dr. Paul Terpeluk, Dr. Thomas Gilliam).

This is followed-up by something that’s revolutionary. Disney has developed a patented technology called “SyncLink,” a synchronized wireless technology and data management system that efficiently delivers real-time compliance data as well as food-safety data to help manage safety issues. We predict that all employers will be using something similar to this in the next 10 years.

The next program gives a peek into the future as well. Called “Alternative Options to a State Workers’ Compensation Program,” the panelists are Max Koonce from Walmart, Bill Minick from PartnerSource in Texas, and Valerie Franco from Lowe’s. These three individuals, who regularly deal with state legislatures, will analyze the possible benefits of allowing alternatives to a normal workers’ compensation statutory process. There is legislation pending in many states that deals with this issue.

The final risk management program studies analytics. It’s called “Looking at Claims in a New Way,” and talks about analytics programs that look forward rather than back, providing accurate reserving advice, early notice of which claims are likely to turn rotten, and even a look ahead at which injured workers are likely to hire lawyers. Analytics experts Gary Anderberg from Gallagher Bassett and Paul Braun from AON Risk Solutions guide attendees through this technical but incredibly important subject area. 

For people who work in a risk management department, this two-day program is where the action is.