SASKATOON (August 29, 2012) — The RIMS (the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.) Saskatchewan Chapter will host the annual RIMS Canada Conference: “Horizons - Where Today's Risks Meet Tomorrow's Solutions” at TCU Place, September 9 - 12, 2012 in Saskatoon. The conference brings together some of Canada’s and the world’s most renowned risk and insurance management leaders who will explore the evolution of the risk management discipline, the significant role risk practitioners now play within their organizations and the future of the profession.

Plenary speakers will include: Award-winning author and journalist, Dan Gardner; the Senior Director of Strategic Risk Management at LEGO Group, Hans Laessoe, M.SC.; attorney, mediation and alternative dispute resolution expert, Kenneth R. Feinberg; and former CBC TV "Dragon" and celebrated entrepreneur and philanthropist, W. Brett Wilson.  The conference will also feature panel discussions on many relevant risk management and insurance topics including “Are We There Yet? – The Evolving Role of the Risk Management Professional” moderated by RIMS Board Member and Corporate Risk Manager for the City of Ottawa Kim Hunton, RF, FCIP, MPA.

“The role of the risk manager has evolved from one that focused on risk mitigation or aversion to one that is now centered around value creation,” said Doug Brown, conference co-chair and the risk manager for the City of Regina – Office of the City Solicitor. “RIMS Canada Council is proud to host this nationally acclaimed event and provide today’s risk practitioners with the tools to take their risk programs to the next level.”

In its 38^th year, RIMS Canada Conference attracts more than 1,000 risk and insurance professionals at all experience levels, business executives with risk management interests, brokers, insurers and service providers for the ultimate educational and networking experience. Conference educational offerings will feature more than 25 concurrent sessions on topics ranging from enterprise risk management and cyber risks, to property and directors and officers insurance.

Lisa Brost, conference co-chair and senior analyst, risk, diamonds and specialty products for BHP Billiton said, “We are very excited about this year’s star-studded lineup of plenary speakers.  Our program committee has worked tirelessly to attract exceptional speakers with diverse backgrounds to speak on a number of current and emerging topics well suited to all attendees.  Our speakers’ stories about success, miscues and the challenges they have encountered in their professional careers will truly resonate with attendees and, we hope, inspire them to accelerate their risk management programs and further advance the profile of the risk management and insurance professions.”

Featured keynoters include:

DAN GARDNER

Award-Winning Author and Journalist

Getting Risk Right

Dan Gardner is a columnist and senior writer for The Ottawa Citizen and The National Post, specializing in criminal justice and other investigative issues.  He served as the senior policy adviser to the Minister of Education of Ontario and social policy adviser to the Premier of Ontario.  On Monday, September 10 at 9:30 a.m., Mr. Gardner, author of the international acclaimed bestseller “Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear,” will explore a new way of thinking about the decisions we make and delve into cognitive and social psychology to explain where our perception of risk comes from and why it so often doesn’t match reality.

HANS LAESSOE, M.SC.

Senior Director of Risk Management, LEGO Group

Creating Value at LEGO Through Strategic Risk Management

Hans Laessoe is LEGO Group’s head and senior director of Strategic Risk Management – a function he established in 2006/2007.  With more than 30 years’ experience at LEGO Group, Mr. Laessoe draws on his strong business insight and network to drive the task of proactive strategic risk management.  He is a founding member of a Danish ERM network, an executive member of the European Council of Risk Management, a specialist member of the Institute of Risk Management, and serves on RIMS’ Strategic Risk Management Development Council. On Monday, September 10 at 1:45 p.m., Mr. Laessoe will share his award-winning approach to risk management and how it can create value for an organization.

KENNETH R. FEINBERG

Attorney, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Expert

Unconventional Responses to Unique Catastrophes: Tailoring the Law to Meet the Challenges

Kenneth Feinberg is a leading expert in mediation and alternative dispute resolution.  His unique insight has developed through key roles in the settlement of some of the most catastrophic events in recent history including his designation by the Obama Administration and British Petroleum (BP) as administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility in 2010; his leadership role working with the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001; the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund following the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech University; and TARP Executive Compensation, an entity that determined annual compensation packages for senior corporate officials at companies that received the most taxpayer financial assistance.  On Tuesday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m., Mr. Feinberg will share his professional experiences and explore best practices in risk and crisis management.   

W. BRETT WILSON

Former CBC TV “Dragon”, Celebrated Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

W. Brett Wilson is the co-founder of one of Canada’s leading investment banks, FirstEnergy Capital Corp., and spent three seasons as the lead deal-making Dragon on CBC TV’s Dragon’s Den.  He is the founder of the W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Saskatchewan, was recently named to the Order of Canada, as well as Alberta’s Business Person of the Year in 2009 and recognized as a Canadian Nation Builder for his role encouraging entrepreneurship among youth.  On Wednesday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m., Mr. Wilson will share stories about risk, opportunity, success, loss, and finding balance, inspiring attendees to achieve their goals both in business and at home.

More information on 2012 RIMS Canada Conference: Horizons is available online at www.rimscanadaconference.ca.

Interested in covering RIMS Canada Conference 2012 for your publication?
Accredited press may obtain a press pass by contacting Josh Salter at jsalter@RIMS.org or (212) 655-6059.

About RIMS Canada Council

The RIMS Canada Council (RCC) is a standing committee of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS).  The RCC addresses the strategic initiatives of RIMS and risk management issues in Canada.