PRESS RELEASE
From: Vermont Captive Insurance Association
Contact: Elizabeth Halpern, Communications
Date: August 24, 2021
For Immediate Release
 
 
VCIA Presents a Winning Online 36th Annual Conference
A Fresh Take and New Features Invigorates and Impresses

 
Burlington, Vermont --- The Vermont Captive Insurance Association hosted its 36th annual captive insurance conference August 10th – 12th. Always a high point on captive industry calendars, the event was presented this year in a modern online setting with video conversation rooms, giving the conference a dynamic yet personal feel. With 500 captive professionals in attendance from across the globe, the event received high marks for its substantive opportunities to conduct business, learn and make meaningful connections.
 
Captive professionals worldwide attended VCIA 2021 to expand their captive knowledge, network with key industry figures and be inspired
 
I was so thrilled to see so many new faces on the screen with truly interesting insights which are extremely helpful to owners like College Insurance Company and College Risk Retention Group,” stated Mary Ellen Moriarty, Vice President Property & Casualty, EIIA.

The conference featured fresh ways for service providers to present their newest innovations and connect with potential clients, both during “Ignite Talks” and while hosting their Solution Labs. These features were crafted by VCIA to offer alternatives to the typical online exhibit hall and create an energetic approach for all parties to learn and connect.
 
Audience Composition
 
Approximately 21% of the conference attendees were captive insurance company owners, and 12% of attendees were participating in the VCIA Annual Conference for the first time. Nearly 70 panelists from dozens of high-profile organizations helped to shed light on all the intricacies of captive insurance. College and university students were also in attendance, to bolster their knowledge of the risk management industry.
 
Award Recipients
 
The Association presented two significant awards this year, to two well-deserving captive professionals.
 
The recipient of the VCIA Industry Service Award is chosen annually by the VCIA Board of Directors in recognition of a VCIA Member who has dramatically supported and made contributions to the overall vitality and general welfare of the industry over time. 

The 2021 Industry Service Award was presented to Mike Meehan of Milliman. Mike has over 25 years of experience working with captive insurance companies and other alternative risk financing programs. He is an active participant in the captive industry and a frequent speaker and author on captives and alternative risk financing.  He is also an active member on numerous captive domicile committees, including as a former board member and treasurer of VCIA. Currently, he sits on VCIA’s Conference Task Force, Membership & Marketing Committee, and Road Show Task Force. He has been named to Captive Review’s Power 50 annually since 2016. Mike provides his time and expertise year in and year out not just for his company’s clients, but to the entire captive insurance industry.
 
The VCIA Captive Crusader is chosen annually by the staff of VCIA to a member who has demonstrated a number of remarkable qualities: commitment and dedication to the association, contributions on special projects beyond the call of duty, positive energy, enthusiasm, and consistent constructive support of VCIA.

The 2021 Captive Crusader Award was presented this year to Sandi Prescott of Performa. Sandi is head of Performa’s client service, with primary responsibility for the firm’s global client relationships. Prior to joining the captive industry, she was vice president and portfolio manager at a Vermont asset management company where she was responsible for over $7 billion in institutional client assets. Sandi has served on VCIA committees and is an enthusiastic, thoughtful contributor in many ways to the association. Always helpful as a sounding board for issues related to the annual conference, membership, and marketing, she has wonderful perspective on the industry and is always willing to provide constructive feedback and guidance. In 2018, Sandi served as the VCIA Annual Conference Chair. 
 
Fresh Takes on Presentation and Content
 
The VCIA 2021 Annual Conference provided:
  • 15 high quality educational sessions for which professional education credit was available
  • Special Events, one of which featured Keynote Speakers Michael Pieciak, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation and Hank Watkins, Regional Director & President, Americas for Lloyd’s of London discussing the implications of systemic risk and answering audience questions
  • a private forum for captive owners only
  •  several semi-formal discussion groups on defined industry topics
  • special content and compelling videos related to Vermont’s 40-year history as a leading captive domicile
  • Ignite Talks and Solution Labs
  • Video conversation rooms for meetings both large and small
  • Easy ways to converse with panelists, colleagues, and key industry players

Altogether the event had an energetic synergy which was a breath of fresh air for attendees, panelists, and sponsors.
 
Looking Ahead
 
VCIA looks forward to reuniting with members and colleagues at in-person VCIA Mixers and other events beginning in October 2021. The dates for the 2022 Annual Conference are August 9-11, 2022. For more information please follow VCIA on Twitter @vciaconference or LinkedIn on the VCIA page.

 
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