Schwarzenegger, Hartwig to Headline May Southern California Symposium

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will headline an event next month at a Southern California university to benefit insurance students.

Schwarzenegger will be joined by Robert Hartwig, an economist and president of the Insurance Information Institute, who could be making his final stop in the region as the face of the property/casualty insurance industry.

Insurance Industry Trends 2020 and Beyond on May 9 at Cal State University Fullerton is being put on by the administration and professors of the Center for Insurance Studies, which is part of the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at the university.

Schwarzenegger will be featured in a moderated discussion. Hartwig will deliver a keynote speech.

Weili Lu, the center’s director, said the event will bring those in attendance up to speed on future trends, such as what will happen in healthcare, the disruption of the auto insurance industry and emerging risks in an aging population.

“We thought that it was very important for us as educators to present this opportunity,” she said.

Some 350 people are expected to attend, as well as more than 100 students.

Hartwig has long been the go-to voice on industry trends, so having him at the event was key, Lu said.

“He’s a great economist,” she said. “We want him to talk about trends for the whole industry.”

This could also be a final chance for people in Southern California to hear a man who has been the face of insurance industry since 2007. Hartwig in February announced he is leaving the helm of I.I.I this summer to join the faculty of the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

“It’s probably the last opportunity for people out here to hear from him,” Lu said.

The event also includes a panel discussion with Chris Baggaley, senior vice president at the Automobile Club of Southern California, Ron Guerrier, chief information officer of Farmers Insurance Group, Mark Costa, senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente, and Joe Celentano, senior vice president at Pacific Life Insurance co.

The event’s organizers are selling a title sponsorship for $25,000, and 18 corporate table sponsorships at $5,000 each. A VIP reception and a photo opportunity with Schwarzenegger are included for sponsors. An individual seat is $550.

Proceeds benefit the center’s insurance marketing entrepreneurship program endowment, which provides funding for students interested in careers on the sales side of risk management and insurance. Two continuing education credits are being offered.

For more information contact Carol Spencer by email at cspencer@fullerton.edu or phone at (657) 278-2857.