This year RIMS celebrates its 50th Annual Conference & Exhibition. As a nod to this history, let's take a quick walk down memory lane.

The First National Insurance Management Conference, sponsored by the American Society of Insurance Management, Inc. (RIMS' former namesake), took place in February 1963 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans - yes, at one hotel. With 400 attendees, the conference was considered a resounding success, and addressed such themes as: maintaining a competitive insurance market under a free, private-enterprise system; rhe free exchange of ideas between all segments of the insurance world; cooperation between producers, underwriters, regulators and others to deliver the most efFective insurance products; supporting loss prevention; fostering educational programs for insurance consumers; and providing members the opportunity to network with each other.

Sound familiar? While rhe industry has transformed, many of the themes discussed in 1963 are still relevant.

Fast forward 50 years. The RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition Ls now the largest gathering of its kind for the risk management and insurance professions, with thousands of people convening every year at an event that now occupies a convention center and dozens of hotels. The RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition has become an educational forum, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge and ideas, the delivery of products and services and opportunities to network with people from all segments of the industry.

This year in Philadelphia, rhe RIMS 2012 Annual Conference & Exhibition will offer such an array of activities rhat each attendee can create his or her own experience. Morning, noon and night there will be charitable events, keynote presentations, educational sessions, networking opportunities and hundreds of service providers in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees are encouraged to build an itinerary to suit their own objectives and take advantage of all that the conference has to offer.

Relationship Building

Developing a successful risk management program can be challenging. At RIMS 2012, attendees can share their successful (and not-so-successful) stories, exchange ideas and learn from likeminded individuals. From Community Service Day and the Opening Reception at the Please Touch Museum to the Networking Pub Crawl and Lunch and Learn in the Exhibit Hall, there will be plenty of opportunities to shake hands with old and new friends alike.

Tap-Notch Education

With more than 120 sessions covering 10 different categories - including claims management, employment risks, ERM, finance, insurance, legislation, loss control, risk management and strategic risk management - plus hot topic and industry-specific sessions, there is something for everyone. Attendees can improve their understanding of risk management, discover best practices and strategies, and learn how to maneuver past obstacles to advance their risk management programs.

Risk Management Solutions

RIMS has gathered the industry's leading service providers together - more than 400 of them - to help attendees access the resources and technologies they need to enhance their risk management programs. Exhibitors offer practical solutions to the challenges that risk and insurance professionals often face. Plus, special events, raffles and giveaways make the Exhibit Hall the place tobe.

RIMS is proud co have hosted the world's greatest risk and insurance management conference for the past 50 years and looks forward to the next 50. RIMS rhanks all of its members, business partners, industry affiliates and staff who have contributed to rhe success of this event. But most of all, RIMS thanks you.

See you in Philadelphia.

WHAT'S NEW

RIMS' mission is to advance risk management for your organization's success. At RlMS '12, that means providing attendees with world-class risk management information, solutions and networking in a single location. This year, RIMS has also added the following new initiatives to enhance the attendee experience.

Continuing Education Credits. RIMS has partnered with the CEU Institute to administer CE/CEU/CPE credits at the conference. Licensed adjusters, agents, accountants and risk management certificate holders can earn up to 12 credit hours.

Exhibit Hall Pass. Available only Wednesday, April 18, this oneday pass grants access to the hundreds of service providers in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees can meet with business partners, network with colleagues and discover the latest industry resources.

Strategic Risk Management (SRM) Sessions. RIMS now offers five new sessions that provide concepts and analytic resources to enrich your strategic risk decisions, including "Exploring Risk Appetite & Tolerance," "Harnessing Opportunities Through SRM and "Improving Your Organization's Chances for Success."

RIMS 2012 Mobile App. Attendees can download a free app tc help manage their conference experience complete with exhibí tor materials in support of a green Exhibit Hall), session descrip tions, maps, city info, shuttle bus routes, travel alerts and more

Networking Pub Crawl. The Exhibit Hall has never been sud fun. On Wednesday afternoon, attendees can sample the fines microbrews while discovering the cutting-edge risk martagemen solutions on display by conference sponsors and exhibitors.

RIMS 2012 Battle of the Bands. RIMS is dosing this year': event with a celebration like no other. On Wednesday night enjoy concert-themed food and drink as you listen to your favor ite hits by top-rated cover bands, including The Peril, a group made up of representatives from insurance broker and long-time RIMS exhibitor Aon.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ RIMS 12

RIMS attendees and social media ambas sadors will be posting the play-by-play o all conference events. Get in on th« action and interact with fellow attend ees, exhibitors, speakers, RIMS staff anc other members.

Follow @RIMSorg and ©RiskMgmt then join our Twitter contests by using hashtag #RIMS2012. Prizes will be awarded for best photo, most retweeted post and the most insightful tweet.

Like us at facebook.com/RIMSorg and check for event updates and RIMS 12 happenings.

Post your own conference photos a flickr.com/RIMSorg.

Check in at the Exhibit Hall and don' forget to visit RIMS booth #1625.

Make sure to check out up-tothe-minuti conference coverage on RIMS' award winning Risk Management Monitor bloc at riskmanagementmonitor.com.