To an associate editor of a leading risk management publication, RIMS is the biggest event of the year. The staff of our magazine plans for it months in advance, and this year we planned our biggest undertaking yet--the blog you read here. To perform our jobs effectively, we need the co-operation of the conference staff. We need to be able to access the Internet, access conference events and access conference materials.
My dealings with RIMS so far this year have been a challenge. It all started with a three-page list of "Press Regulations at RIMS 2008 Annual Conference & Exhibition," which we received via e-mail less than two weeks before the start of the show. We were notified that press were allowed in all sessions except ones noted as RIMS member sessions, industry risk manager sessions or any others listed as closed to the press in the conference guide.
This means that us in the media were prohibited from attending arguably the most interesting pieces of this conference. Many risk managers I've talked to attend only their industry-specific sessions. That's where they dish about all the most important and relevant issues going on in their industries.
In addition, press are prohibited from exclusive off-site events touring SeaWorld and PETCO Park. I would have really liked to attend those events, learning all the ins and outs of the risk management programs of these facilities. If anyone reading this happens to be one of the elite few who attended, please do me a favor and fill me in. My e-mail address is egazica@lrp.com.
Other frustrating issues with this conference include not being given a bag at reception. Seriously, I was denied a bag containing plenty of pertinent information about this event. Go figure. I was also denied by the guard dogs at the exhibit hall doors.
"We open at 10," they growled to me at 9:45. And by the time I was ready to post my first blog post, the RIMS Press Room was closed. Not only are the room hours extremely limited this year (only open from 10 to noon and 2 to 5:30 today), but when my long wait was finally over and the room opened up, there were only a couple outlets to plug in my laptop. I hope I can post this blog before the battery on my computer dies!
I've heard from associates who have been in the business longer than I have that the restrictions to the press have increased at RIMS in recent years. It truly is a shame. It makes it difficult to do our job, which is to provide you, the reader, with information. I know risk managers can be private individuals, reluctant to let the outside world into the inner workings of their jobs. But being media-friendly is good for your reputation, RIMS. Being un-media-friendly is not.
Showing posts with label Introduction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Introduction. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The RIMS Apprentice: Student Blogger Alert!
Editor's note: We've decided to open up the discussion at the Risk at RIMS 2008 blog by inviting risk and insurance students into the mix. Not only for their much-needed youthful vigor and enthusiasm. But the industry, desperate for the next generation of talent, needs to know what these students' are thinking if they hope to recruit, train and promote them.
Below is the first post from Chelsea Balerno of Temple University. She'll be posting daily from RIMS. About her expectations for the conference and her future profession. About her experiences. And about all of you whom she meets in San Diego. You'll be able to recognize future posts from Chelsea by the headline and topic category, "The RIMS Apprentice." Now here's Chelsea ...
Hello, everyone!
My name is Chelsea Balerno, and I am new to the Risk at Rims 2008 Blog. I am a junior Actuarial Science major at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. At Temple, I am the vice president of membership development for the Sigma chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. For those of you out there who haven't heard of GIS, Gamma Iota Sigma is the International Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science Collegiate Fraternity. My position as the VP is basically to help our members transition from students to young professionals. We plan resume reviews, mock interviews, enrichment workshops, social events, etc.
As for work experience, I have had a few jobs and internships over the years. All through high school, I worked at Sentry Insurance, filing, answering the phones and completing other administrative tasks. This past summer, I interned at SMART Business Consulting in Devon, Pa. I worked as a P/C actuarial consulting intern, using Excel, Access, Visual Basic, etc. to complete many tasks such as completing loss triangles, projecting losses and IBNR, creating loss reserve templates, completing research and working on other various tasks.
This summer, I have accepted an internship at Towers Perrin in Philadelphia, Pa., in their retirement practices division. I am very excited, as I love the consulting world and having the opportunity for client interaction.
Enough about me ... let's get back to RIMS! This will be my first trip to RIMS, and I am beyond excited!
I am looking forward to all of the opportunities at RIMS! I hear that over 10,000 people will be there. I can't wait to meet people from all different walks of life and all different sectors of the industry. I will be looking for another internship next summer, and I am dying to relocate somewhere for the summer, maybe the West Coast, or even abroad (I have been to both London and Germany and LOVE both countries). Maybe I will get lucky and meet someone at RIMS who is in need of an intern for Summer 2009? We shall see!
I am most looking forward to the networking experiences. I love meeting new people, and RIMS is full of great opportunities. I am also looking forward to spreading the word about Temple's Risk Management, Insurance, Healthcare Management and Actuarial Science programs (we have one of the largest and highest ranked programs in the country!).
We have so many opportunities for industry to get involved with our students, and I hope to help create some new, strong, long-lasting relationships between companies and Temple University. I also hope to give people in the industry some perspective on the life of a student ... yes, there are some of us out there who actually go to college FOR risk management and insurance by choice! Hopefully, they will be pleasantly surprised by how knowledgeable we are about the industry, and how eager we students are for opportunities.
Well, I should get back to doing my homework! But before I go, in case you want to find me and other Temple students in San Diego, here's my tentative schedule:
My flight gets in to San Diego at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, and I will be attending the Student Welcome Reception at 5 p.m. that night. On Sunday, I am going to a Padres game with some friends! At night, I will be going to the AIG Dessert Reception. On Monday, I will be attending the General Session and Keynote Address at 10:00 a.m. and the Awards Luncheon at 12:15 p.m. On Tuesday, myself and other Temple students will be having breakfast with Ed Troy, Andrew Miller and some other colleagues from GAB Robins. Then we will attend the luncheon and the education roundtable, and finally visit the Exhibit Hall Reception. On Wednesday, my flight for Philadelphia departs at 8:30 a.m. :-(
I will update again once I finalize my schedule. I can't believe how soon RIMS is. Hopefully, I will meet some of you readers there!
Sincerely,
Chelsea Balerno
Below is the first post from Chelsea Balerno of Temple University. She'll be posting daily from RIMS. About her expectations for the conference and her future profession. About her experiences. And about all of you whom she meets in San Diego. You'll be able to recognize future posts from Chelsea by the headline and topic category, "The RIMS Apprentice." Now here's Chelsea ...
Hello, everyone!
My name is Chelsea Balerno, and I am new to the Risk at Rims 2008 Blog. I am a junior Actuarial Science major at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. At Temple, I am the vice president of membership development for the Sigma chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. For those of you out there who haven't heard of GIS, Gamma Iota Sigma is the International Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science Collegiate Fraternity. My position as the VP is basically to help our members transition from students to young professionals. We plan resume reviews, mock interviews, enrichment workshops, social events, etc.
As for work experience, I have had a few jobs and internships over the years. All through high school, I worked at Sentry Insurance, filing, answering the phones and completing other administrative tasks. This past summer, I interned at SMART Business Consulting in Devon, Pa. I worked as a P/C actuarial consulting intern, using Excel, Access, Visual Basic, etc. to complete many tasks such as completing loss triangles, projecting losses and IBNR, creating loss reserve templates, completing research and working on other various tasks.
This summer, I have accepted an internship at Towers Perrin in Philadelphia, Pa., in their retirement practices division. I am very excited, as I love the consulting world and having the opportunity for client interaction.
Enough about me ... let's get back to RIMS! This will be my first trip to RIMS, and I am beyond excited!
I am looking forward to all of the opportunities at RIMS! I hear that over 10,000 people will be there. I can't wait to meet people from all different walks of life and all different sectors of the industry. I will be looking for another internship next summer, and I am dying to relocate somewhere for the summer, maybe the West Coast, or even abroad (I have been to both London and Germany and LOVE both countries). Maybe I will get lucky and meet someone at RIMS who is in need of an intern for Summer 2009? We shall see!
I am most looking forward to the networking experiences. I love meeting new people, and RIMS is full of great opportunities. I am also looking forward to spreading the word about Temple's Risk Management, Insurance, Healthcare Management and Actuarial Science programs (we have one of the largest and highest ranked programs in the country!).
We have so many opportunities for industry to get involved with our students, and I hope to help create some new, strong, long-lasting relationships between companies and Temple University. I also hope to give people in the industry some perspective on the life of a student ... yes, there are some of us out there who actually go to college FOR risk management and insurance by choice! Hopefully, they will be pleasantly surprised by how knowledgeable we are about the industry, and how eager we students are for opportunities.
Well, I should get back to doing my homework! But before I go, in case you want to find me and other Temple students in San Diego, here's my tentative schedule:
My flight gets in to San Diego at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, and I will be attending the Student Welcome Reception at 5 p.m. that night. On Sunday, I am going to a Padres game with some friends! At night, I will be going to the AIG Dessert Reception. On Monday, I will be attending the General Session and Keynote Address at 10:00 a.m. and the Awards Luncheon at 12:15 p.m. On Tuesday, myself and other Temple students will be having breakfast with Ed Troy, Andrew Miller and some other colleagues from GAB Robins. Then we will attend the luncheon and the education roundtable, and finally visit the Exhibit Hall Reception. On Wednesday, my flight for Philadelphia departs at 8:30 a.m. :-(
I will update again once I finalize my schedule. I can't believe how soon RIMS is. Hopefully, I will meet some of you readers there!
Sincerely,
Chelsea Balerno
Monday, April 21, 2008
RIMS Just Around the Corner
It's Monday, April 21, just a week until RIMS begins in earnest. We're still getting last-minute calls trying to arrange meetings and interviews. It's sometimes surprising to me that with such a big investment, too many firms seem to wait until the last minute to confirm appointments and promote their investment and presence at RIMS. I hear the same from some of the risk managers who attend.
With RIMS in San Diego this year, the attendance looks to be great. A few weeks ago, I received a pre-registration list of attendees. When I cut out all the brokers, insurance executives, lawyers and consultants, I figure that at least 2,000 real risk managers or the equivalent risk executive at a company will be at the annual convention. That seems a pretty good pre-registration turnout to me considering that last year's event in New Orleans and the previous year's meeting in Honolulu seemed to lack enough risk management conference goers.
Philadelphia, our hometown here, three years ago was a major exception--attendance was huge and there were plenty of risk managers. RIMS ought to consider bringing the big show back to the City of Brotherly Love. The weather is fantastic this time of year, and the cherry blossoms on Independence Mall are blooming this week.
Here are a few tips based on my four years of attending RIMS:
1. Monday night seems to be the really crowded night for entertaining with one reception schedule on top of another. I wonder why more insurers don't seem to schedule Wednesday night events, even though RIMS has its Cirque performance set for that night.
2. The brokers will be there in droves this year--maybe because of the soft market and maybe because they think client hunting will be productive. I saw a list of Aon brokers, for example, that numbered nearly 300. Broker interest may be more a question of self-preservation: there are so many risk managers at this year's show, it looks like brokers will need to keep their clients happy and away from the competition.
3. Stop by the Risk & Insurance booth number 1915. We're just a few steps away from the main RIMS booth. You'll be able to get your photo on the cover once again this year.
4. And now a really big, blatant promotion: Check out on Monday afternoon the session "Reputational Risk: Working with the Media."
I'll be on the panel along with Sam Friedman from National Underwriter, Bill Coffin from Risk Management magazine and Gavin Souter from Business Insurance. It's a great opportunity to embarrass us in front our key audience. Feel free to bring it on.
Enjoy San Diego and see you all there!
Jack Roberts
With RIMS in San Diego this year, the attendance looks to be great. A few weeks ago, I received a pre-registration list of attendees. When I cut out all the brokers, insurance executives, lawyers and consultants, I figure that at least 2,000 real risk managers or the equivalent risk executive at a company will be at the annual convention. That seems a pretty good pre-registration turnout to me considering that last year's event in New Orleans and the previous year's meeting in Honolulu seemed to lack enough risk management conference goers.
Philadelphia, our hometown here, three years ago was a major exception--attendance was huge and there were plenty of risk managers. RIMS ought to consider bringing the big show back to the City of Brotherly Love. The weather is fantastic this time of year, and the cherry blossoms on Independence Mall are blooming this week.
Here are a few tips based on my four years of attending RIMS:
1. Monday night seems to be the really crowded night for entertaining with one reception schedule on top of another. I wonder why more insurers don't seem to schedule Wednesday night events, even though RIMS has its Cirque performance set for that night.
2. The brokers will be there in droves this year--maybe because of the soft market and maybe because they think client hunting will be productive. I saw a list of Aon brokers, for example, that numbered nearly 300. Broker interest may be more a question of self-preservation: there are so many risk managers at this year's show, it looks like brokers will need to keep their clients happy and away from the competition.
3. Stop by the Risk & Insurance booth number 1915. We're just a few steps away from the main RIMS booth. You'll be able to get your photo on the cover once again this year.
4. And now a really big, blatant promotion: Check out on Monday afternoon the session "Reputational Risk: Working with the Media."
I'll be on the panel along with Sam Friedman from National Underwriter, Bill Coffin from Risk Management magazine and Gavin Souter from Business Insurance. It's a great opportunity to embarrass us in front our key audience. Feel free to bring it on.
Enjoy San Diego and see you all there!
Jack Roberts
Friday, April 4, 2008
Introduction to the Risk at RIMS 2008 Blog
Welcome to Risk & Insurance® magazine’s "Risk at RIMS 2008" blog, a mish-mash of everything and anything going on at the biggest event in the risk and insurance universe. We've done this before (some of you might remember a post from Hawaii from our former associate editor, Michelle Kerr, who lamented at the unpredictable nature of risk when flying across the country with a motion-sick-prone toddler).
But our 2008 blog version, produced live from San Diego, is expanded to take in not only highlights from the conference sessions, hot topics and prime-time speakers. We'll also be covering interviews with leading risk managers, brokers and insurance execs. The best booths (and free stuff) from the expo floor. The social scene from the nighttime extravagences. And any rumor fit to print.
Don't expect writing here that's full of p.r. speak and newswire snooze style. We're letting our writers let loose (within reason, of course!), so the tone of our dispatches will be lively and, yes, irreverent. Hopefully funny and entertaining too. All while being well-informed, informational and of course useful for some reason or another.
The material will be posted as soon as it is written, with a minimum of editing; no deadlines, no delays, no run-arounds. For the convention’s largest events, we will post the material as soon as it happens. We’ll just keep posting crisp, compelling narrative about the show to inform and entertain readers who couldn’t make it this year (as well as those folks who could make it and amazingly have some free time to go online).
Can't tune into the Risk at RIMS 2008 blog on a frequent basis? (For shame, by the way!) We're also updating additional "standard" coverage and "best of the blog" stories on our Web site every day, at http://www.riskandinsurance.com/.
Don't think we're cutting the mustard? Or that we've made some brilliant points? Tell us. We'll leave room after every entry for you to post comments, which we look forward to reading. The more comments the better.
We hope that readers will have as much fun reading the blog as our writers will have writing it, but we have thick skin if needs be.
Either way, thanks again for your support and your interest in Risk & Insurance® magazine and http://www.riskandinsurance.com/.
Enjoy.
But our 2008 blog version, produced live from San Diego, is expanded to take in not only highlights from the conference sessions, hot topics and prime-time speakers. We'll also be covering interviews with leading risk managers, brokers and insurance execs. The best booths (and free stuff) from the expo floor. The social scene from the nighttime extravagences. And any rumor fit to print.
Don't expect writing here that's full of p.r. speak and newswire snooze style. We're letting our writers let loose (within reason, of course!), so the tone of our dispatches will be lively and, yes, irreverent. Hopefully funny and entertaining too. All while being well-informed, informational and of course useful for some reason or another.
The material will be posted as soon as it is written, with a minimum of editing; no deadlines, no delays, no run-arounds. For the convention’s largest events, we will post the material as soon as it happens. We’ll just keep posting crisp, compelling narrative about the show to inform and entertain readers who couldn’t make it this year (as well as those folks who could make it and amazingly have some free time to go online).
Can't tune into the Risk at RIMS 2008 blog on a frequent basis? (For shame, by the way!) We're also updating additional "standard" coverage and "best of the blog" stories on our Web site every day, at http://www.riskandinsurance.com/.
Don't think we're cutting the mustard? Or that we've made some brilliant points? Tell us. We'll leave room after every entry for you to post comments, which we look forward to reading. The more comments the better.
We hope that readers will have as much fun reading the blog as our writers will have writing it, but we have thick skin if needs be.
Either way, thanks again for your support and your interest in Risk & Insurance® magazine and http://www.riskandinsurance.com/.
Enjoy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
