NYIA Navigates New York Regulations, “Waters” Ahead at Lake George Annual Conference
The New York Insurance Association was joined by over 200 insurance industry professionals in Bolton Landing, New York, for the group’s 2019 NYIA Annual Conference: Navigating New York Waters. The conference featured educational sessions on a variety of timely topics and included networking opportunities with industry experts, representatives from the New York State Department of Financial Services and New York State legislators.
The opening session on Thursday featured a real-deal Q&A session entitled Regulatory Reflections: A Conversation with Jim Wrynn. Insurance professional and former insurance department superintendent, Jim Wrynn, senior managing director of FTI Consulting and NYIA chair Elizabeth Heck, president and CEO of Greater New York Mutual Insurance Company, together chronicled Wrynn’s more than 30 years of industry experience. They took questions from the audience and discussed the future of the insurance industry.
This opening discussion was followed by an insightful CEO panel discussion, View from the Helm: Staying the Course in New York, led by moderator NYIA first vice chair Mark Prechtl, executive vice president and CEO of Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company. The session featured panelists Richard Creedon, chairman of the board and CEO of Utica National Insurance Group; Norman Orlowski, president and CEO of Erie and Niagara Insurance Association and Peter Vercillo, president and CEO of Dryden Mutual Insurance Company. The discussion explored the unique nature of the New York insurance marketplace and provided a CEOs’ perspective on how to best prepare for future industry challenges.
Later that morning Laura Evangelista, executive deputy superintendent of insurance for the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), delivered the keynote address and talked about the critical role of property and casualty insurance companies in New York and the importance of regulatory and industry collaboration.
The morning sessions concluded with the panel discussion Flying with the Legal Eagles: Being Forewarned is Being Forearmed, featuring moderator Marc Craw, senior counsel at MLMIC Insurance Company and panelists Michael Brown, partner at Nicoletti Gonson Spinner Ryan Pinter LLP; Brian Heermance, partner at Morrison Mahoney LLP; Dan Kohane, senior member at Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. and William Matlin, partner at Hoffman Roth & Matlin, LLP. These legal aficionados gave conference attendees an educational and engaging update on what is happening in the courts and the impact on our industry.
The morning sessions concluded with the panel discussion Flying with the Legal Eagles: Being Forewarned is Being Forearmed, featuring moderator Marc Craw, senior counsel at MLMIC Insurance Company and panelists Michael Brown, partner at Nicoletti Gonson Spinner Ryan Pinter LLP; Brian Heermance, partner at Morrison Mahoney LLP; Dan Kohane, senior member at Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. and William Matlin, partner at Hoffman Roth & Matlin, LLP. These legal aficionados gave conference attendees an educational and engaging update on what is happening in the courts and the impact on our industry.
The day concluded with an evening reception, banquet and award presentation. NYIA was proud to honor Bernard Turi, senior vice president, general counsel, general auditor & chief risk officer of Utica National Insurance Group as the recipient of the Chair’s Distinguished Service Award. Turi is an accomplished insurance professional whose combined passion for the insurance industry, expansive knowledge of the law and ability to effectively communicate is unparalleled. The award was presented to Turi during the banquet in audience of his family, colleagues and peers.
For those with energy to burn post banquet, it was off to The Sagamore’s recreation center for On Deck at “The Rec”–Fun, Games and Friendly Competition. Attendees enjoyed games of ping-pong, miniature golf, whiffle ball and basketball while live karaoke and the NBA finals didn’t miss a beat in the background.
The Town Hall Meeting was first up on the agenda for the final day of the conference. The Town Hall Meeting featured moderator William Melchionni, vice president and co-head, U.S. state government affairs at American International Group, Inc. with panelists Assemblymembers Kevin Cahill, Will Barclay and Andrew R. Garbarino. The panel discussed the latest happening in the Capitol and the need for legislation to allow for innovation and modernization in the New York insurance marketplace.
Another fantastic Friday session followed with an engaging presentation from Stephanie Gould Rabin, head of corporate strategy and senior vice president at Holborn Corporation. The session Is There a Demand for Insurance On-Demand? featured interactive audience polling, analysis of recent consumer surveys and discussed the trends and implications of the emerging on-demand product.
To wrap up the conference program was the annual Small Company Roundtable moderated this year by Edward Harper of Statewide Underwriting Services. Often a conference favorite, NYIA finds that our members excel when given the chance to collaborate and use each other as peer resources. The roundtable always provides a rewarding platform to build stronger relationships.
The NYIA Annual Conference is always a must-attend for anyone who wants to stay up to date of the issues occurring in one of our country’s most unique insurance marketplaces. Save the date now for next year’s event that will be held May 27–29 at the Hilton Westchester in Rye, New York.
