RIMS Identifies Seven Emerging Trends to Round-Out Education Programming at RIMS 2018

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 -- The Risk and Insurance Management Society issued the following news release:

RIMS has added seven "Hot Topic Sessions" scheduled for RIMS 2018 Annual Conference & Exhibition on April 15th - 18th in San Antonio at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The "Hot Topic Sessions" are selected by RIMS Annual Conference Programming Committee and include educational presentations that explore emerging issues in risk management and best industry practices.

This year's "Hot Topic Sessions" are:

A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE: HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING EVENTUALLY, INCLUDING INSURANCE

Monday, April 16th 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Take a look at the technology behind machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on manufacturing, transportation, retail and insurance. Sort through the implications for product liability, privacy and other emerging risk concerns. Learn the basic forms of what some are calling "the new electricity" as well as the potential legal and liability issues of AI. Presenters: Kate Browne, Senior Claims Expert, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions; Peter Roueche, Director, Enterprise Risk & Insurance, Eastman Chemical Company.

CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday, April 17th 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Underlining China's push to play a larger role in the world economy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could affect 4.4 billion people worldwide with a collective GDP of US$2 trillion. It also brings risk to participants--banks, construction companies, infrastructure investors, exporters and equity managers. Discuss the political, credit and security risks and insurer partnerships to explore technology for ways to address those risks and enhance service and efficiency. Presenter: Tony McHarg, Head of Multinational & Network Management, Asia Pacific, AIG.

THE JOURNEY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Tuesday, April 17th 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

African American professionals are vastly underrepresented in the insurance industry-- particularly in leadership roles--despite demographic and buyer expectation changes. Understand the opportunities and obstacles that African American insurance professionals have confronted and the legacies of the pioneers. Examine how you can enact transformative hiring, retention and advancement changes for African Americans and other executives of color. Presenters: Celeste Azubuike, Underwriting Specialist I, Aon Affinity, Affinity Nonprofits; Dr. Leroy Nunery, Founder/Principal, PlusUltre LLC; Alex Amonett, Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader, Marsh; Robert Cartwright, Jr., Division Manager - Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability - Northeast Division, Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC.

HOW MARIJUANA IS AFFECTING WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND THE WORKPLACE

Wednesday, April 18th 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The future of federal marijuana policy and enforcement continues to be uncertain, so stay up to date on the laws and legal decisions, including their complexities and their rapid changes. Determine the value of legal assistance so that you can develop and communicate a sound policy for your organization, whether for the use and reimbursement of medical marijuana for workplace injuries or employee use of medical and recreational marijuana. Presenters: Darrell Brown, EVP & Chief Claims Officer, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.; Denise Algire, Director, Risk Initiatives, National Medical Director, Albertsons Safeway Inc.

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Wednesday, April 18th 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

A tidal wave of sexual harassment claims has been unleashed across news and social media with related discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation and sexual assault allegations also coming to the forefront. Determine the long-term economic and brand damage that could result from the consequent business disruption and marred reputations. Explore the risk from insurance, legal and corporate perspectives as well as transfer and mitigation opportunities. Presenters: Carrie Curzon, National EPLI Product Leader, The Hartford; Meredith Cavallaro, Partner, Paduano & Weintraub LLP; Kelly Thoerig, Senior Vice President, Marsh.

WHAT ERM PRACTITIONERS CAN LEARN FROM THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY: A CEMEX CASE STUDY

Wednesday, April 18th 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Get an inside look into the development of an advanced enterprise risk management (ERM) program influenced by the intel world. Learn from the leaders of the risk management group for a Mexico-based global construction materials company about shaping its intelligence pedigree into an asset and how you can apply similar tactics to your program. Presenters: Adrian Castillo Cisneros, Enterprise Risk Manager, CEMEX CENTRAL SA de CV; Enrique Alanis, Enterprise Risk Director, CEMEX CENTRAL SA de CV.

OPIOID LAWSUITS: A TSUNAMI OF LITIGATION AND ASSOCIATED COVERAGE ISSUES

Wednesday, April 18th 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Well in excess of 300 lawsuits have been filed--most consolidated as multidistrict litigation (MDL)--against pharmaceutical companies, distributors and pharmacies by states, counties and cities seeking to recover costs from the U.S. opioid epidemic. Examine how liability insurance policies--product liability, general liability and professional liability--could respond. And determine whether you would be prepared should similar suits be brought against your industry. Presenters: John Denton, Managing Director, Marsh; Anna Engh, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP.

For a complete description of these "Hot Topic Sessions", visit www.RIMS.org/HotTopics. To register for RIMS 2018 or learn more, visit www.RIMS.org/RIMS2018.