Presidents Message

Each fall roughly 3,000 members of the E&S industry gather to network, get updated on changes in the industry, and make plans for the coming year. This year should be no different when industry members met at the NAPSLO Annual Convention in Atlanta, October 11-14.

 

Online registration began in mid-June and with the economy and market continuing to be in the headlines, we expect to see another large group on hand in Atlanta. Highlights of the meeting include a presentation by William R. Berkley, Chairman and CEO of W.R. Berkley as the speaker for the annual Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Lecture Series, our traditional opening reception, and a special program for Next Generation attendees on Tuesday afternoon.

 

The convention will take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency Atlanta, located in downtown Atlanta. One major change this year is that the meeting will open on Monday, with the Opening Reception that night at the Hyatt. Most events will take place at the Marriott but meeting space will be available at both hotels.

 

Tuesday will be left mostly open for members to meet with other members, however there will be the Next Generation panel in the afternoon, followed by a reception for Next Generation members.

 

Wednesday will feature Mr. Berkley’s presentation, along with the traditional internship, ASLI, and membership awards and recognition program. There will be a “Happy Hour” in the Brokers’ Lounge on Wednesday afternoon for all members, prior to the many private member functions Wednesday night.

 

In today’s challenging environment the NAPSLO Annual Convention provides additional value as it provides the opportunity for members to meet with many other members in one place in the course of a few days.

 

NAPSLO’s goal is to assist members in conducting business, whether through our meetings or improving the regulatory environment we all work in. After many years of challenging work we are closing in on our goal of uniform regulations on tax payments for multistate risks. The Senate recently passed their version of financial services reform legislation, which includes the surplus lines reform language from the NonAdmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act.

 

While the NRRA language had been approved several times by the House of Representatives, this is the first time it has been approved by the full Senate. With the language also in the House’s version of financial reform legislation, the two chambers now must work to reconcile the differences and by July we hope to see the legislation signed into law.

 

This has been a long journey but has been worth it and the reforms should provide a better environment for both the insurance industry and consumers.