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  World’s largest gathering of risk professionals takes place May 1 - 5 in Vancouver

NEW YORK (February 14, 2011) — RIMS will host its Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, May 1-5, 2011. Cyber risk, energy resources, social media threats and global risk will be just a few of the many topics covered in the more than 120 sessions addressing critical risk management issues.

Launched in 1963, RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition attracts thousands of 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. The five-day event offers keynote presentations, workshops and an expansive Exhibit Hall with more than 350 exhibitors. Following Vancouver, the event will be hosted in Philadelphia, April 15-19, 2012.

"Taking the annual conference to Vancouver this year highlights our commitment to the increasingly international nature of the risk management industry, as well as the understanding that business is no longer constrained by borders," says Mary Roth, ARM, RIMS executive director. "We know that implications for businesses exist on a global scale and much of our focus is on ensuring that risk managers understand the opportunities this new reality presents—that’s a large part of what we intend to deliver at RIMS 2011.” 

Speakers

The conference will feature keynote presentations from the world’s top authorities on leadership and business strategy, including: 

·         Apolo Anton Ohno, Olympic Gold Medalist

Far and away the biggest name in American speedskating, Apolo Anton Ohno has won five Gold medals at the Winter Olympics and is one of only four Americans to win three medals in a single Olympics. He holds the distinction of being the youngest ever U.S. Short Track Champion and his races have been some of the most exciting and controversial in the history of the Olympics. Ohno will share his story of overcoming obstacles and triumphing in the face of adversity. 

·         Stephen Dubner, Co-Author, Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics

An award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality, Stephen J. Dubner is the co-author of the international bestsellers Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics. Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Dubner shows how economics is, at root, the study of incentives. He uses humor and first-rate storytelling to discuss topics that are on every business person’s mind these days: the ways to create behavior change, the incentives that work and don’t work, and the value of asking unpopular questions. In this engaging presentation, Dubner will use research from Superfreakonomics to address questions facing businesses today. 

·         Ron Holton, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, VP, Risk Management & Assurance Services

Rob Holton will explain how the Vancouver Organizing Committee implemented a fully integrated enterprise risk management (ERM) program to keep the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games running smoothly. He will walk attendees through the design, roll-out and lessons learned. He’ll share examples of how the program assisted with the management of risks that manifested during the Games. His presentation will leave listeners with practical tips and ideas that show that implementing an ERM framework doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Networking Events

There will be a number of networking opportunities for risk practitioners during the conference, including RIMS’ annual Community Service Day, supported by Aon; Spencer Educational Foundation’s annual golf and hockey tournament fundraisers; the Exhibit Hall Lunch & Learn roundtable discussions; and an opening reception dubbed On the Edge: Rainforests of the World.

The Exhibit Hall will feature more than 350 providers offering the latest in products and services for the risk management professional, including insurers, claims services, disaster recovery, workers compensation providers and much more.

Risk Management Monitor and Twitter

RIMS is using social media to provide conference highlights for attendees and for risk practitioners who are unable to attend the conference. The editors of Risk Management magazine will be blogging every day, providing coverage and commentary on many of the 120+ sessions and other events. In addition, RIMS will be tweeting at @RIMSorg.

More information on RIMS 2011 Annual Conference & Exhibition is available online at www.RIMS.org/RIMS2011.

Interested in covering RIMS 2011 for your publication?
Accredited press may obtain a press pass on-site by contacting Amy Benson at abenson@RIMS.org or (212) 655-6059.