Insights

Registration is now open for URMIA's 48th Annual Conference, "Launching Risk Into the Future," in Orlando on September 23-27. The Annual Conference Committee, led by chairs Chauncey Fagler of the Florida College System Risk Management Consortium and Steve Bryant from Texas Tech University System, has been busy putting together a program that offers something for everyone. Of course, there are far more than three reasons to attend our largest event of the year, including networking, learning from your peers, and enjoying the amenities of Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and world class entertainment nearby. Read on, though, as we highlight our top three reasons you should register for the URMIA Annual Conference right now!

1. Learn directly from the "living laboratory" of Disney, daily! Each day of our three-day conference will feature a 90-minute presentation from the Disney Institute. As the trusted, authoritative voice on the Disney approach to customer experience, Disney Institute uses business insights, Disney principles, and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance their own customer experience. For nearly three decades, Disney Institute has helped professionals discover ways to positively impact their organizations and the customers they serve through immersion in leadership, service and employee engagement. Unique to Disney Institute is the opportunity to go behind the scenes in a "living laboratory" to observe firsthand how Disney methodologies are operationalized and how they can be adapted and applied to any work environment. If you want to know more, please check out our three Disney Institute session descriptions:
   
   • Monday - Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence
   • Tuesday - Disney's Approach to Employee Engagement
   • Wednesday - Disney's Approach to Quality Service
   
   We are also offering a Business Behind the Magic Tour as a pre-conference event (for an additional fee) on Sunday, September 24 from 9am-12:30pm. This is your opportunity to engage with experienced Disney professionals and observe key examples of Disney's "living laboratory" as you explore firsthand how Disney business insights and time-tested methodologies are operationalized to deliver a great customer experience. This 3.5-hour tour features concepts and illustrations from the professional development courses offered by the Disney Institute at our conference and shows how they come to life each day at the Walt Disney World Resort for cast members and guests.
   
   
2. Take advantage of career enhancing opportunities, like our Pre-Conference Associate in Risk Management-ERM (ARM-E) Review Course: To provide useful training for our members, the Professional Development Committee is offering a review course for the ARM-E. Long-time URMIA member Scott Wightman will lead the review. Sign up when you register! Benefits of obtaining your ARM-E include being able to:
   
   • Prepare your organization to meet rating agency requirements by using practical tools that help initiate and implement a strategic ERM program.
   • Empower your organization to make better informed decisions and optimize its risk management by aligning ERM with strategic goals.
   • Position your ERM program for success by learning how to coach risk owners regarding implementation responsibility and process.
   • Communicate and consult more effectively with critical stakeholders by sharing internationally recognized ERM guidelines.
   
   When you pass the ERM course examination, you will earn recognition of your achievement:
   
   • If you already hold the ARM designation, you will earn the Associate in Risk Management-ERM (ARM-E) designation.
   • If you are not an ARM designee, you will earn a certificate of completion. However, if you should earn the ARM designation in the future, you would also earn the ARM-E designation at that time.
     
     
3. Choose from 45+ breakout sessions for rookie to veteran risk managers presented by subject matter experts in the field: The Annual Conference Programming Sub-Committee received a strong response to our call for presentations this year. They carefully selected the topics that will best acquaint new members and first time attendees with foundational higher education risk issues and provide the seasoned member a variety of sessions targeted for a more advanced conversation. Monday will wrap up with the Institutional Round Table Discussions alongside URMIA's All Affiliates Meeting. We are bringing back the popular "state" roundtables over lunch on Monday, where all attendees can catch up with their local network before our luncheon keynote speaker, Michele Adams, vice president of risk management services at Walt Disney World Resort, shares some of her experiences working for this legendary organization.

To see what else URMIA 48th Annual Conference has in store for you, visit the URMIA Annual Conference website. We will see you in Orlando on September 23-27, 2017!