RIMS on the Hill 2008 Recap 

RIMS on the Hill is proudly supported and sponsored by:

Every June, the Risk and Insurance Management Society convenes its legislative conference, known as "RIMS on the Hill". This year marked the 10th annual conference with roughly forty risk managers making the trek to Washington, D.C. to lobby their members of Congress. The program continues to evolve despite hitting the 10 year mark. We had more preparation than ever before, more opportunity for members to meet and greet their lobbying teams and our speaker panels who presented the "insider" viewpoint from both the House and Senate side," said Robert Cartwright, Chairman of the RIMS External Affairs Committee and Loss Prevention Manager for the Northeast Zone of BFS Retail and Commercial Operations LLC in Exton, PA.

This year's event focused on the critical issues of Surplus Lines, Optional Federal Charter, the Risk Retention Act expansion, and the Office of Insurance Information Act.

Day One Highlights:

• Eleanor Clift, an editor for Newsweek Magazine, a contributor to the McLaughlin Group, and a political analyst for Fox News, delivered the keynote luncheon address. Her discussion was focused on the political climate surrounding the November presidential election.
• Panel session made of bipartisan senior staffers from the House and Senate on Surplus Lines, the Optional Federal Charter, the Office of Insurance Information Act, and the expansion of the Risk Retention Act.
• Panel session consisting of lobbyists and representatives from the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, American Bankers Insurance Association, the National Association of Surplus Lines Organizations, and a staffer for Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS) discussed the political climate surrounding the pieces of legislation that RIMS is the most interested in.
• Beginner and advanced instructional sessions were given by RIMS staff members on how to lobby effectively and what to do/not do while on Capitol Hill.
• Lobbying delegation strategy session.

The first day of the RIMS on the Hill program is focused on schooling attendees on the issues themselves so that they have the substantive background needed to effectively communicate the issues and lobby their members of Congress. For many participants, this was their first year attending RIMS on the Hill, and they found the event to be very beneficial. For others this was a chance to further refine their lobbying skills and to gain greater insights into the legislative issues affecting their business. The two panel sessions allowed members to gain insight into the political situation surrounding RIMS' issues from the viewpoints of congressional staffers as well as industry representatives.

RIMS delegates met with the following Congressional offices: