Time saver's guide to the RIMS 2013 conference

The Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) will hold its 2013 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles on April 21-24, and the nearly 9,000 risk and insurance professionals expected to attend the event should prepare to engage with thought-provoking speakers, experience interactive educational sessions, discover the latest industry innovations and enjoy the world-class networking that makes RIMS a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Organizers have provided a schedule jam-packed with sessions, keynotes, receptions and special events. A wide selection of business and educational sessions are designed to satisfy all attendees, from beginners to experts, and the exhibition hall offers opportunities to network with vendors and meet with industry leaders.

The venue

The Los Angeles Convention Center has an exhibition hall with enough space to comfortably hold more than 300 exhibitors and meeting space to handle the more than 120 educational sessions that will take place over the four-day event. The JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites will serve as co-headquarters for the RIMS conference, and there will be a complimentary shuttle bus service from these hotels to the convention center.

Who’s who

Simon Sinek, author of Start with why: how great leaders inspire everyone to take action, will be the general session keynote speaker on April 22. His goal is to create a world where the majority of people go home each day feeling fulfilled by their work, and he brings his optimism to inspire action. 

Comedian and author Howie Mandel, host and executive producer of the Fox series Mobbed and host of NBC’s Take it all, gives conference attendees a taste of his no-holds-barred memoir Here’s the deal: don’t touch me at the conference finale on Wednesday, April 24.

Hot topics

Topics this year include ‘Insuring intellectual and intangible property risks: critical issues for risk professionals’ on April 22; ‘Compliance considerations for the global risk professional’ and ‘Managing cyber risk: how to keep your data safe’ on April 23; and ‘Success story: embedding ERM into strategic planning’ on April 24.

The opening reception, ‘RIMS vibe@LA live’ on April 21 will offer fine food and festive entertainment, Hollywood-style. The RIMS Awards Luncheon on April 22 will recognize the achievements of the top professionals in risk management, and don’t forget the exhibition hall luncheon on April 24 for one last chance to collect cards and make a good impression.

Expert connections

As well as the event’s professional development aspects, attendees should take advantage of the opportunity to establish career-enhancing contacts at the Former Presidents’ Roundtable on April 24: former RIMS presidents will debate some of the biggest risk management challenges of today. Gaining their perspectives on the impact of risk management in the current economic climate will be invaluable.