SIIS Unveils Program for Annual Conference

Southwestern Insurance Information Service announced the program for its 53rd Annual Educational Conference, June 27-28, 2006, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

“We have arranged an outstanding array of presenters who will be addressing subjects of interest to insurers and agents,” stated Sandra Ray, public affairs director.

The meeting will begin with a reception and dinner followed by an entertaining speaker, Linda Rutherford, vice president-public relations for Southwest Airlines, whose topic will be “Communicate! The Golden Rule and Southwest’s Family Culture.”

The annual event will feature Commissioner Mike Geeslin, Texas Department of Insurance; Commissioner Albert, Betts of TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation; and The Honorable Florence Shapiro, Texas State Senator.

A panel consisting of Jim Oliver, general manager, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association; Jack Colley, state coordinator, Texas Division of Emergency Management; Dale Hoff, natural hazards program specialist; Rob McQuillen, Texas Catastrophe Coordinator; State Farm Insurance and Audrey Selden, senior associate commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance will examine “What we have learned from Hurricane Rita.”

In addition, Bill Bailey, director of the Hurricane Information Center and special counsel to the Insurance Information Institute will examine the subject of wind vs. flood following a hurricane and the impact of the Katrina lawsuits on this issue. Patrick Matthews, senior vice president of Benfield Inc. will speak about the new A. M. Best Stress Test for Insurers following a catastrophe.

The daylong event will offer 5.5 hours of Texas Department of Insurance Continuing Education Credits.

The Program and Registration Forms are available on the SIIS Web site – www.siisinfo.org, under the Seminar Registration Button or by calling (512) 795-8214.