View a List of our 2004 Sponsors and Registrants

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5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Opening Reception
(Reception times are early to allow for post-reception dinners.
Please plan for dinners to occur after the reception.)

Sponsored by:

9:00 am - 9:30 am
NRRA Annual Meeting of Members & NRRA Activity Update

z Open to all conference attendees GAO Report)

9:30 am - 10:30
Keynote Session: Ernie Czisar SC Insurance Commissioner and Current NAIC President

z Ernie Csiszar was born in Romania and emigrated to Canada in 1966. He obtained both a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1974 from
the University of Windsor in Canada. He served as Managing Co-Director of a European investment banking firm from 1979 to 1988 and was a Visiting Professor at the School of Business, University of South Carolina from 1993 to 1995.

z Mr. Csiszar also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Seibels Bruce Group, Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina, a publicly-traded insurance carrier from 1995 to 1998. In January of 1999, Governor Jim Hodges appointed Ernie as the Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. Director Csiszar was re-appointed by Governor Mark Sanford as the Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance in December, 2002.

z Director Csiszar was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in December, 2002. In January of 2003, Mr. Csiszar was elected Vice President of the NAIC and in December, 2003 he was elected President in which position he currently serves. He also serves as Chairman of the NAIC’s Executive (EX) Committee; the Internal Administration (EX1) Subcommittee; and the Life and Health Actuarial (Technical) Task Force, as well as Chairman of the Reinsurance and Alternative Risk Management Committee of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). He speaks several foreign languages fluently.

10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Breakout Sessions

RRG 101

z For trade associations and other groups interested in jump-starting a successful
RRG, this session is a discussion of the background and history of Risk Retention Groups, as well as tips and information on how to start an RRG. Topics covered include how to register in various states, and steps to license an RRG.
Also, what issues to expect to encounter, and accounting practices that work.

zz Panelists: w Lee Reno. Attorney, Reno & Cavanaugh, Washington, DC. Mr. Reno will discuss the background, history of LRRA, why it was enacted, current developments, w Gary Osborne, Group President, USA Risk Group. Mr. Osborne will discuss domicile licensing, state registration process, issues, pitfalls, where to go to find info, etc. w Glenn Saslow, CPA, Saslow Lufkin & Buggy CPAs. Mr. Saslow will discuss accounting practices that work, those that should be avoided, statutory requirements, etc.

Reinsurance Issues Facing Insurers

z This session will cover trends in the reinsurance market, such as reinsurance capacities and credit risk issues. Examined will be the underwriting process, what reinsurers look for in an RRG, and the latest developments in contracts– what to include and what to watch for. Domestic and International market capacity will also be explored. This session is a must for anyone who is involved in purchasing or
placement of reinsurance.

10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Reinsurance for RRG's

z This session, moderated by Greg Lang of American RE, a member company of one of the world’s largest reinsurers, will examine the nuances of obtaining reinsurance coverage for risk retention groups. Learn the benefi ts of reinsuring your RRG and explore the steps necessary to ensure that your policyholders are appropriately covered.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Networking Luncheon, Sponsored by:

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Regulator Panel and GAO Study Update

z The panel will explore regulatory issues facing RRGs in today's market, and the
proper ingredients for a successful RRG. Also discussed will be the General Accounting Office report on Risk Retention Groups due out in the fall, updates on the NAIC Risk Retention Working Group. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions for the panel regulators to answer at this session.

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Breakout Sessions

The Virtual Office

z In this age of information technology, keeping abreast to the latest developments in information systems is crucial for increased profitability. This session will give an overview of some products available to create more efficient systems as well as satisfy the client’s needs of immediacy.

Purchasing Groups - Advantages and Mechanisms

z Purchasing groups offer an economical and potentially more profitable manner of marketing and distribution to targeted affinity groups and associations. This session will present an overview of current market conditions for the formation of PG’s, including considerations for structuring and packaging various classes of business to supply PG members with broad, tailored coverages. Ideal for MGAs, brokers and agents that have existing programs or association business, this session will guide attendees through the Purchasing Group formation, registration, filing and marketing processes.

zz Panelists: w Beth Kravetz, w JH Howard Associates, wThomas McGowan III, Cultural Institutions Associations PG, Inc.

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Networking Reception

z (Reception times are early to allow for post-reception dinners.
Please plan for dinners to occur after the reception.)

8:00 am - 9:15 am
Breakfast

9:15 am - 10:15 am
D&O/E&O - Corporate Governance

z No matter what the size or experience of a RRG and PGs Board, there are lessons to learn on committee structure, board oversight and smooth effective operation of a Board of Directors. This session will discuss techniques that develop effective and efficient boards, as well as the importance of adequate insurance

zz Panelists: w Janet Pitterle Holt, Esquire, Corporate Counsel, United Educators

10:30 am - 11:45 am
Capital Adequacy Perspective In Today's Market

z This session will address the market climate for the formation and capitalization of RRGs, as well as the implications for receiving a rating from a ratings agency, such
as AM Best. Also discussed will be the criteria at which AM Best looks when assigning ratings, as well as how Best’s BCAR Model of assessing capital adequacy works. For those RRGs which do not have ready access to additional capital, alternative means for strengthening your balance sheet will be explored.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Networking Luncheon and Conference Closing
Sponsored by:

NRRA Members Receive the Lowest Registration Rate!!
Click here for membership information

Registration Type Registering Before October 17 Registering After October 17
NRRA Member $750 $850
RRG, PG or Captive Non-Member $950 $1,075
Service Provider Non-Member $1,400 $1,400
Domicile Regulator $300 $300

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Telephone: 952-928-4656
Toll Free: 800-999-4505
Fax: 952-929-1318

Executive Director Douglas K. Barnes
Assistant Director Gloria Grove