Updated Upcoming Insurance Event Cancellations: NAIC, WSIA, Cannabis, CFA…

The number of industry-related conferences being cancelled, postponed or moved to virtual platforms in response to the coronavirus threat is growing. The Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) has joined the ranks of those canceling events.

Travel restrictions and corporate travel bans have contributed to the situation.

Last Saturday evening, the Property Liability Research Bureau (PLRB) called off its 2020 Claims Conference that had been scheduled to start Sunday, March 8, due to events related to the coronavirus. The event was scheduled for the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.

On March 6, the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) announced it was canceling its 2020 International Conference scheduled for Mar. 8-10, at the Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage, California because of safety concerns due to COVID-19.

Last week, insurance data analytics and risk modeling firm Verisk converted its Cyber and Casualty Seminar scheduled for March 10 in New York City from an in-person to a free virtual event “out of an abundance of caution over the global spread of the novel coronavirus.”

The following is a list of known upcoming events of interest to the insurance industry that have been canceled, postponed or gone digital as a result of COVID-19:

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

The NAIC has decided to hold the Spring National Meeting scheduled as a live event for Phoenix from March 21-24 in a virtual-only format. Below is a tentative schedule, which is still subject to change:

• The public portion of the NAIC’s special session on state responses to COVID-19 will be held on March 20, 2020, starting at 11 a.m. ET via virtual meeting.
• Working groups, subgroups and other meetings will be held via conference calls March 16-31, 2020.
• Task force meetings will be held via conference calls April 1-10, 2020.
• Executive Committee and letter committees will be held via conference calls the week of April 13, 2020.
• EX/Plenary will meet via public conference call on April 20, 2020.

Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA)

WSIA said it is “erring on the side of caution” as the facts and understanding of the coronavirus change rapidly. A number of its member firms are implementing policies restricting nonessential business travel, including many that were planning to attend its upcoming events. WSIA said its net cost of its cancellations is expected to be less than $75,000 and it will “manage the financial impact prudently.” The association told members that where it cannot recoup contract costs, it will “seek to put the situation to good work by donating any contractual rights to other trade associations or nonprofit organizations.”

WSIA said it has begun canceling hotel reservations booked through WSIA’s room blocks and recommends that all attendees cancel their travel plans as soon as possible. “[W]e apologize for any nonrefundable travel costs you may incur as a result,” the announcement said.

WSIA has decided to cancel the following events:

• March 11-12 Legislative Fly-In (Washington D.C.)
  Attendees were notified on March 2 of the decision to cancel the Fly-In.
• March 15-18 Insurtech Conference (New Orleans)
  All registration fees will be refunded.
• March 27-28 Extreme Risk Takers Symposium (Chicago)
  All registration fees will be refunded.
• April 3 Extreme Risk Takers Symposium (Santa Barbara)
  All registration fees will be refunded.
• May 11-12 Committee Day (Orlando)
  Committee Day will be held by teleconference.

WSIA said there are two education programs it is continuing to evaluate, including an April 28 – May 1 Executive Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. and a June 7-10 Excess & Surplus Lines program in St. Louis. The association said it will provide attendees of those programs with updated details in the coming weeks.

National Cannabis Risk Management Association

The NCRMA has decided to postpone NCRMA2020, its upcoming conference in Las Vegas. The event, which was slated to have been hosted at the Bally’s hotel and resort March 22-24, 2020, will now be held later this year, likely in the fall. The dates and the venue will be announced at a later date.

Consumer Federation of America

The CFA has decided to reschedule the National Food Policy Conference to a later date in 2020. The conference, scheduled to occur March 11 and 12 would have brought together several hundred attendees, and featured talks from members of Congress and top executive agency officials. CFA said it is currently working with Marriott to find a date to reschedule the conference later in 2020, and will notify attendees as soon as we have determined that date. Those who wish to remain registered for the rescheduled event will not need to take further action. Attendees who would like a full refund of their registration fee should contact CFA.

Financial Health Network

The Financial Health Network has decided to cancel its EMERGE conference, scheduled for May 5-7, 2020 in Atlanta.

Ceres

The March 23-26 Ceres 2020 Investor Summit on Climate Risk scheduled for March 23-26 in New York has been cancelled. The group said it was arranging to offer a digital program to deliver key elements of Ceres 2020 that will be made available in the weeks and months to follow.

Benefitfocus

Benefits management platform Benefitfocus said it will now hold its annual conference, One Place 2020, scheduled for March 17-19 in Charleston, S.C., as a digital event. Details regarding the virtual conference will be made available in the coming days. Attendees for this year’s One Place will be reimbursed for their registration fees.