31st IRMI Construction Risk Conference Attendance Up by 21 Percent

Release Date: November 15, 2011
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SAN DIEGO, CA—Nearly 1,200 risk managers, insurance agents, brokers, attorneys, and underwriters who specialize in managing or insuring the risks associated with construction projects convened here November 13–17 for the 31st IRMI Construction Risk Conference. The IRMI Construction Risk Conference is the only national symposium devoted exclusively to managing, insuring, and bonding the risks of construction projects. The Conference featured a general session and 26 workshops presented by more than 60 nationally recognized insurance, risk management, safety, and surety experts.

Contractors large and small sent their risk, insurance, and safety managers. In addition, virtually all the major providers of insurance or surety services were represented, and a substantial number of risk managers representing project owners (i.e., companies with large construction projects planned or under way) attended.

 “Commercial construction activity has increased moderately in the past year, but competition remains high in all sectors. Smart construction executives recognize that good risk management enhances their firms’ competitive positions and have resisted the temptation to reduce or eliminate risk management programs to cut costs,” said IRMI President & CEO and Conference Cochairman Jack Gibson. “As a result, attendance increased by 21 percent this year as opposed to last, ending a 2-year decline.”

“The contractors are focusing on ways to control their costs through careful insurance purchasing, safety programs, and good claims management,” said Mr. Gibson. “The insurance marketplace currently remains soft, but there are a few signs that it may be firming. By bringing the marketplace, intermediaries, and buyers together, the IRMI Conference provides unique opportunities to explore solutions to risk and insurance challenges and develop ideas for managing a hardening market should one occur.”

The 32nd IRMI Construction Risk Conference will be held November 11–15, 2012, in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit www.IRMI.com/Go/CRC or contact International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI), at 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1450, Dallas, TX, 75251, phone 800–827–4242, in Dallas, 972–960–7693, or fax 972–371–5120.