ENEWS - AUGUST 9, 2004

NAPSLO, ACORD PLANNING TECHNOLOGY FOCUS GROUP MEETING
NAPSLO and ACORD are putting together a focus group with representatives of all sections of the distribution chain to examine ways to improve and encourage the electronic transfer of information.

The focus group is scheduled for Noon on Sunday, September 19 at NAPSLO's Annual Convention in Orlando. Member firms interested in having a representative participate should contact Mike Ardis at mike@napslo.org.

In 2002 ACORD organized a similar meeting with industry representatives in London and that process helped develop the new exposure reporting and binding authority data standards. A number of MGA's use the new ACORD standards with their syndicates. However, many in the U.S. need a different workflow and are not receiving data electronically from retail agents and brokers. Through the focus group, ACORD will review data standards to determine changes to facilitate the electronic data transfer.

COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER DEADLINE APPROACHING
The deadline to apply for a NAPSLO committee is approaching and if you are interested and haven't notified NAPSLO, please do so by August 13.

NAPSLO has nine committees and approximately 100 volunteer committee members and each year a number new volunteers are selected. Committees are as follows: Budget, Finance, Audit & Investment; Communications & Technology; Convention; Education; Education School Advisory; Internship; Legislative; Membership & Ethics; and Mid-Year Educational Workshop.

If interested, please notify NAPSLO and include some background information on yourself and any areas of interest. Also indicate availability to attend Committee Day, set for November 8-9 in Dallas. If you are unable to volunteer, please forward this to others in your firm.

LLOYD'S CONTACTING COVERHOLDERS REGARDING UNDERTAKING AGREEMENT
Lloyd's is contacting coverholders to ask them to sign an undertaking with Lloyd's. The undertaking sets out what Lloyd's expects of approved coverholders when dealing with customers and clients and also with Lloyd's brokers, Lloyd's managing agents (which manage syndicates) and Lloyd's. 

Lloyd's produced the undertaking following discussions with coverholder groups, the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) as well as Lloyd's brokers and managing agents. 

Questions about this process should be referred to the Lloyd's broker or Lloyd's by e-mail to lloyds-coverholders-department@lloyds.com or by phone at +44 (0) 20 7327 6275.

REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR ADVANCED SCHOOL
Registration is underway for NAPSLO's Advanced School, set for November 13-16, 2004 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, located near the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

The Advanced School is designed for professionals with 5 to 15 years of experience in the E&S industry and offers a comprehensive look at surplus lines and provides the opportunity to meet with others in the industry.

The registration deadline is October 1 and applicants must work for a NAPSLO or AAMGA member firm. Registration materials have been mailed and may also be downloaded at http://www.napslo.org/content/Meetings/AdvancedSchool/AdvancedSchool.htm.

Topics are: The Art of Brokering; Avoiding the Sting; The Claims Experience; Compliance in a Hostile Environment; Conquering Financial Statements; The Devil's in the Details; Reinsurance & Alternative Risk; and Uncle Sam to the Rescue.

NAPSLO CONVENTION HOTEL BLOCK SOLD OUT
More than 2,650 people have registered for the 2004 NAPSLO Annual Convention and NAPSLO's block of hotel rooms at the Orlando World Center Marriott hotel and Courtyard at the Marriott are SOLD-OUT. NAPSLO will offer limited shuttle service between the two hotels.

NAPSLO marks its 30th anniversary at the 2004 Annual Convention, set for September 19-22. Among the programs scheduled are a talk by former Secretary of Defense William Cohen as part of the annual Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Lecture series and a presentation by Sally Ride, Ph.D., the first American woman in space.

In addition, panels on Valuations, Mergers & Acquisitions and Building Relationships Among the Retailer, Wholesaler & Company are scheduled.

UPCOMING NAPSLO EVENTS
Advanced School - November 13-16, 2004 - Grapevine, Texas
Mid-Year Workshop - February 17-20, 2005 - Indian Wells, California
NAPSLO E&S School - June 25-28, 2005 - St. Louis, Missouri