Florida RIMS Educational Conf. Runs July 29-Aug. 2

The 33rd Annual Florida Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Educational Conference takes place on July 29-Aug. 2 in Naples, Florida. More than 600 risk professionals are expected to attend. The conference is hosted by all seven RIMS Florida chapters.

“The main focus of this year’s Florida RIMS Educational Conference is to provide quality risk management education and resources that will enhance risk practitioners’ knowledge,” says Michael Benishek, RIMS Tampa Bay Chapter president and director of risk management and insurance at Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. “The conference offers numerous educational sessions on a variety of risk management topics including litigation, safety, insurance, environmental and human resource issues.”

Keynote speaker at the Florida RIMS Educational Conference is Kevin Quinley, vice president of the Council on Litigation Management, on the topic of “Trials and Tribulations: The Risk Manager’s Role During Litigation”.

Other topics at the conference include “Climate Change and ‘Going Green’—Risks and Solutions”, “How the Sub Prime Crisis Affects You, the Economy and Insurance Market”, “MySpace and Your Risk” and “Undocumented Workers: New Immigrations Rules and Workers’ Compensation”.

Another noteworthy session is the “Stump the Masters” panel, comprised of yet-to-be-stumped experts that take on any risk-related questions from the audience. Speakers include Scott Clark, AAI, member of RIMS board of directors and risk and benefits officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Richard Broderick, Jr., ARM, director of risk management at Harris Corp.; Karen Temme, risk manager for the town of Palm Beach; Michael Benishek, director of risk management and insurance at Pacific Tomato Growers, Ltd.; and moderated by State of Florida Circuit Court Judge Amy Smith.

The fourth annual Florida RIMS Networking Raffle and Reception provides attendees with a new twist on the traditional trade show. “Conference sponsors and vendors are encouraged to devise unique ways of concealing valuable prizes in ordinary items—such as a book on travel, which when opened includes a weekend stay at a resort,” explains Benishek. The venue was started to encourage interaction between participants and conference sponsors.

And, the conference wouldn’t be complete without its annual Florida RIMS Golf Tournament, sponsored by Zurich North America, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort’s acclaimed Tiburón Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Florida colleges and universities in order to advance risk management courses and programs.

The deadline to register for the Florida RIMS Educational Conference is July 21. Onsite registration will be available on July 29-31. Complete details on RIMS Florida Educational Conference may be found at http://florida.RIMS.org.