2024 NICC Agenda

Sunday, September 22

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Official Airline

Conference Wi-Fi

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THEME: NAVIGATING PIVOTAL TIMES

HSB Canada - NICC 2024 Golf Tournament

11:00 am

Furry Creek Golf Course

    

For more information on our golf tournament, click here.

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Golf Transportation sponsored by TransUnion

Opening Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Lloyd's

6:15 pm

Welcome Address
Nick Donovan

Head of Market Development, Lloyd’s

Join us for the opening Lloyd’s Cocktail taking place at The Westin Bayshore. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday, September 23

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Breakfast

8 - 9 am

Welcome, Acknowledgement & Performance

8:45 - 9am

Land acknowledgement Kevin Kelley from Soowahlie First Nation

Performers:

Naomi Black from Kwadacha Nation

John Miller from Stʼatʼimc

Networking Lounge sponsored by Guidewire

9 am - 4 pm

Intro Address

9 - 9:15 am

Joel Baker

CEO,
MSA Research

Nevina Kishun

President,
MSA Research

EmCee Address

9:15 - 9:20 am

Kathleen Butterfield

General Counsel, Loyalty, Air Canada

The View from OSFI

9:20 - 10 am

Kathleen Butterfield

General Counsel, Loyalty, Air Canada

In Conversation With
Peter Routledge

Superintendent of Financial Institutions,
OSFI

The pace of regulatory changes is not slowing down. It is important to take stock and gain perspective on where things are headed in terms of expectations and developments across a wide spectrum of issues. We’ll have a dynamic fireside chat between OSFI Superintendent Peter Routledge and our Emcee Kathleen Butterfield.

Networking Break sponsored by Morningstar DBRS

10 - 10:30 am

Concurrent Sessions

10:30 - 11:30 am

A: Coming to Grips with The Evolving Liability Environment

Moderator:
Peter Walker

President & CEO,
AIG Canada

Ross Goldstein

Head of Liability Claims,
AIG North America

Edona Vila

Partner,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Kelly MacDonald

Chief Commercial Officer,
PLATFORM Insurance Management

A shifting environment of emerging liability exposure continues to challenge the legal landscape in Canada, the United States and around the world. In this panel, we will delve into a discussion to understand this evolving liability and claims activity and what tactics can be utilized to mitigate its impact in Canada. The panel will focus its discussion on emerging large loss exposures, the rise of nuclear verdicts, the success or failure of tort reform efforts and the impact of litigation funding in the context of insurance claims and litigation in Canada.

B: Building Back Better

Moderator:
Paul Kovacs

Executive Director, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Rebecca Denlinger

Retired Deputy Minister, Emergency Management BC, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Province of British Columbia

Matt Godsoe

Director of the Resilience & Economics Integration Division,
Public Safety Canada

Graham Haigh

SVP & Chief Operating Officer,
West, Wawanesa

This session will explore building back better as a strategy to reduce severe weather damage to homes and businesses across Canada.

Most homes in Canada that experience basement flooding were not protected by a backwater valve. These devices cost less than $300 and can prevent or significantly reduce claims that may exceed $35,000. Almost 99 percent were installed during initial construction of a new home and could readily be included during rebuilding of homes that experience significant losses. Many homes in Canada destroyed by wildfire had vinyl siding that melted into a toxic mess. Rebuilding these homes with Hardie board fibre cement siding would significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage. Homes rebuilt with hurricane straps and class 4 hail impact resistant shingles will have reduced risk of wind and hail damage. Proven resilience actions are known.

The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction finds that each dollar invested to build back better results in 5 to 10 dollars of avoided future expenses for governments, building owners and insurers. The federal government’s DFAA program provides support to rebuild damaged public infrastructure with additional protection – to build back better. Discussion with panel members will explore how insurance companies can promote and expand government incentives and how building back better can be embraced by insurance companies and governments to better protect homeowners and small businesses.

Concurrent Sessions

11:45 - 12:45 pm

C: Maintaining Independence in Distribution Amid M&A - Does it Really Matter?

Moderator:
Bob Tisdale

JR Tisdale Consulting Services

Sean Martin

MD, Head of Financial Institutions & Financial Technology, Raymond James

Paul Jackson

Head of Customer and Market Management,
Zurich Canada

Lorie Phair

President,
Canadian Broker Network

Aly Kanji

CEO,
InsureLine

With consolidation, and insurer and private equity backed aggregators gobbling up distribution market share how can independence be maintained? How important is it? Does it really matter? Join this fantastic panel to find out.

D: GISA/FA Data Governance Session - Whose Data is it Anyway?

Moderator:
Christopher Cooney

VP,
TD Insurance Analytics and Modelling

Laurie Balfour

Executive Director,
Alberta Automobile Insurance Rate Board

Saskia Matheson

President & CEO, Facility Association

Consumers, industry, regulators, and public policy makers require data to make effective decisions. Quality, timeliness and reliability are key factors that enable the transformation of data into meaningful information. The capacity to manage increasingly large data sets, promote best practices in data governance and apply informed data analysis is essential to the health and stability of the industry. In addition to the management of data at the industry level, there has been a steady emergence of consumers/individuals wanting ownership of their own personal data, which adds another dynamic to data governance. GISA and the Facility Association are among those tackling these challenges. Join us for an engaging discussion of how GISA and the FA are working and collaborating to enhance the value and accessibility of ASP/UIP data.

Lunch and Fireside Chat sponsored by IBC

1 - 2.30 pm

Jason Kenney

Former Premier of Alberta & former Senior Federal Cabinet Minister

In conversation with
Celyeste Power

President & CEO,
Insurance Bureau of Canada

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney joins Celyeste Power, President & CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada, for a candid discussion on the politics of insurance.

Concurrent Sessions

2:35 - 4:00 pm

E: Generative AI in Insurance - Preparing for the Next Wave

2:35 - 4:00 pm

Moderator:
Cathy Cobey

EY Global Trusted AI Consulting Leader

Robert Dunlap

Partner, Generative AI and Advanced Analytics, IBM

Amy Mollin

VP, Product Management Applications, Guidewire Software

In this session we will explore the transformative impact of Generative AI through the lens of early adoption within the insurance industry. Our panel will share critical insights from the first two years of experimentation and implementation, focusing on the essential steps for scaling this technology across organizations, realizing its full value, and ensuring its responsible use. We’ll discuss strategic integration, scaling successes, and the importance of aligning AI initiatives with ethical standards and business goals. Throughout the session we will focus on the Art of the Possible highlighting existing or soon to emerge Generative AI skills and capabilities.

Join us to discover how to leverage Generative AI’s potential to revolutionize the insurance landscape and to engage in a dialogue about the future of AI in our industry.

 

F Part 1 - MGAs: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2.35 - 3.20 pm

Moderator:
Clinton D’Souza

SVP Commercial Lines Specialty, Marsh

Mo Kaur

President & COO,
PREMIER

Phil Baker

President of BOXX Canada & Global Chief Underwriting Officer

Matt Baynton

CEO,
RAISE Underwriting

In this first part of a two-part session, we delve into the nuances of the MGA market, examining its strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages, as well as opportunities and challenges. The MGA market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, making it essential to understand the full spectrum of factors influencing its trajectory.

F - Part 2: Shifting Strategies Towards Captives

3.20 - 4:00pm

Moderator:
Marc Lipman

President, Lloyd's Americas

Angelique Magi

VP and Head of Insurance, Element Fleet Management

Patrick Ferguson

Vice President,
Captive & Analytics,
Navacord

In the second part of this session, we delve into the evolving captive landscape that is becoming an ever more important component of comprehensive risk management and transfer strategies.

Networking Break sponsored by SLC Management

4.00 - 4.30 pm

Concurrent Sessions

4.30 pm - 5:20 pm

G: Cyber Insurance Coming into its Own

Moderator:
Marcos Alvarez

Managing Director,
Global Insurance Ratings, Morningstar DBRS

Jacqueline Detablan

VP, Specialty,
CNA Canada

Greg Markell

President & CEO,
Ridge Canada

Lasith Lansakara

Vice President,
Innovation and Cyber Product Leader HSB Canada

Often compared to the Wild West, Cyber Insurance has been, and in many cases still is, highly volatile, concentrated, and unfriendly to underwriters and clients alike. Are things stabilizing? Is the market broadening out? Are we in for more turmoil? Join this panel to find out.

H: Established and Evolving Rating Factors

Moderator:
Michelle Dodokin

Head of Auto Insurance Supervision, FSRA

Adam Agius

Vice President,
Insurance & Public Sector, TransUnion Canada

Brad Neilson

Vice-President,
Personal Lines Pricing,Intact Financial Corporation

Greg McCutcheon

President,
Opta

As rate variables and modeling techniques continue to evolve, industry leaders are facing unique challenges and opportunities. This panel brings together a distinguished group of experts who will delve into the dynamic changes in rating variables, examine the driving factors behind these evolutions, and discuss the complexities they introduce. Together, they will explore new, innovative ways of thinking about these changes, and highlight how insurance companies can incorporate new perspectives to solve for profitable growth whilst continuing to provide fair and accurate rates. Join us for an insightful discussion with actionable ideas to maintain integrity and fairness in the insurance industry amidst rapid change.

Cocktail Reception sponsored by Aon

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Gala Dinner Wine sponsored by EY

7:30 pm

Gala Dinner sponsored by Guy Carpenter & Munich Re

7:30 pm

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Gala Dinner Entertainment sponsored by Verisk

7.30pm

Nightcap Party sponsored by Gallagher Re

10 pm

This year’s Nightcap Party after our Gala Dinner takes place at the city’s only oceanfront rooftop deck at LIFT Bar Grill View and sets the stage with sweeping harbour, Stanley Park and coastal mountain views. Our Nightcap Party venue at LIFT is sponsored by Gallagher Re.

NICC - National Insurance Conference Canada nightcap party venue at LIFT sponsored by Gallagher Re.    NICC - National Insurance Conference Canada nightcap party venue at LIFT sponsored by Gallagher Re

Tuesday, September 24

Breakfast

7:30 - 9 am

Global Economic Outlook

9 - 9:45 am

Dr. Michael Menhart

Chief Economist,
Head of Economics, Sustainability & Public Affairs, Munich Re

Join Munich Re’s Michael Menhart for a whirlwind tour of the challenges, complexities and opportunities facing the insurance industry and the world economy amid geopolitical tensions and fragile financial systems. Q&A will be encouraged.

Global Leaders' Panel

9:45- 10:45 am

Moderator:
Patrick (Paddy) Jago

Global Chairman,
Gallagher Re

Jean-Paul Conoscente

CEO,
SCOR P&C

Nick Donovan

Head of Market Development, Lloyd’s

Brian Young

President & Chief Executive Officer, Odyssey Group

The NICC’s Global Insurance Leaders’ Panel is a perennial favorite. A time where the Canadian industry can hear directly from the global movers and shakers in our industry. Topics will include global market conditions ahead of 2025 renewals in an unstable world, Canada’s positioning with increasing CAT loads and avenues for sustainable growth and much more. Not to be missed.

Networking Break sponsored by Morningstar DBRS

10:45 - 11:10 am

Concurrent Sessions

11:10 - 11:50 am

I: Update on the National Flood Program

Moderator:
Celyeste Power

President & CEO,
Insurance Bureau of Canada

Peter Askew

President & CEO,
Guy Carpenter

Christian Fournier

EVP and Lead,
Property & Casualty Insurance, Beneva

Susan Penwarden

Managing Director, Personal Lines, Aviva Canada

Matt Godsoe

Director of the Resilience & Economics Integration Division,
Public Safety Canada

In Budget 2024, the federal government committed to launch a national high-risk flood program ‘within 12 months’. The program will be built on a multi-peril basis, which will enable other perils, principally earthquake, to be included at a later date. The P&C industry is playing a leading role in bringing the new program to life. What are the requirements of successfully designing and implementing a new, best-in-class disaster risk program in Canada? What complementary measures are required to ensure the successful operation of the program, including risk identification, consumer education, incentive structures, affordability and risk mitigation, to name a few? And given comparable programs in similar jurisdictions (e.g., Flood Re in the UK, NFIP in the US), what landmines must be side-stepped when designing a national flood insurance program? Join our panelists as they explore these exciting and pressing issues.

J: Getting a Handle on Insurance Crime - What's New and What's Needed

Moderator:
Bryan Gast

VP, Investigative Services Division, Équité Association

Sid Kingma

Director, Investigative Services Western & Pacific Region, Équité Association

Garry Robertson

Director, Claims Special Investigations Unit, Northbridge Financial Corporation

Eugene Lum

Officer in Charge,
BC IMPACT

Auto theft is a national crisis impacting public safety, insurers, businesses, and individuals across Canada. This panel brings together leading experts to discuss the alarming trends and patterns of auto and cargo theft. In this panel discussion, hear from Bryan Gast, VP Investigative Services, Équité Association, Garry Robertson, Director, Claims Special Investigations Unit, Northbridge Financial Corporation, Eugene Lum, RCMP Officer In Charge – BC Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), and Sid Kingma, Director, Investigative Services, Western Canada, Équité Association, as they delve into the interprovincial and international dimensions of this complex issue. Learn about the trends and patterns of auto theft, and the critical steps needed to prevent thefts, protect assets and mitigate losses.

Hot, Hotter and Hottest Regulatory and Legal Topics

12 - 12:45 pm

Stuart Carruthers

Partner,
Stikeman

Koker Christensen

Partner,
Fasken

Laurie LaPalme

Partner, National Lead, Corporate & Regulatory Insurance Practice,
Dentons

A perennial favorite, this session features the same cast but explores new developments to close out the NICC business sessions. Join us for an interactive discussion on legal and regulatory hot topics affecting the industry. The session will address key legal and regulatory developments, providing insights into what you need to know about our current status and where our pundits predict we may go next.

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Lunch & Keynote Fireside Chat sponsored by CIP Society

12:45 - 2:15 pm

Globe on Edge: The 2024 US Elections
Jessica Yellin

Award-winning Journalist & Former CNN Chief White House Correspondent

In Conversation With
Alister Campbell

President & CEO, PACICC

With the most pivital US Elections of our lifetimes mere weeks away, you will not want to miss hearing from Jessica Yellin, Founder of NewsNotNoise and former CNN White House correspondent as she engages in a brutally frank conversation with our own Alister Campbell. You are not going to want to miss this.

Conference Wrap-Up

2:15 pm

Nevina Kishun

President,
MSA Research

Dive In Festival - The Age of Intersectionality: Bridging Diversity & Technology

2:30 - 4pm

Free To All NICC Delegates

Join us for the 10th anniversary of the Dive In Festival, one of the largest Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events globally. We are excited to host this event in Vancouver for the first time as a Canadian committee and hope you’ll join us in person or virtually.

This discussion explores how technological advancements intersect with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The session will address topics such as ageism, ableism, social mobility, inherent bias, and the future of work, fostering a comprehensive dialogue on creating an inclusive and equitable workforce in the digital era.