When: Thursday, August 11, 2022

Where: Ontario Mutual Insurance Association

350 Pinebush Road,
Cambridge, Ontario
N1T 1Z6

Symposium West is the premier professional development event for insurance professionals, designed for members of the Southwestern, Hamilton/Niagara, and Conestoga Chapters of the Insurance Institute of Ontario. Thought-provoking sessions bring together bright minds, idea-focused on a wide range of subjects. The shared goal is to foster learning, innovation, inspiration, and stimulate conversations that matter. And we are back live & in-person for 2022!

 

Register Now

 

 

SYMPOSIUM WEST SCHEDULE

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.	Breakfast and Registration
8:45 - 9:00 a.m.	Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
9:00 - 9:30 a.m.	Morning Keynote Speaker: David Kerr Partner – Deloitte Canada’s Technology Consulting practice
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.	Break
9:45 - 11:00 a.m.	Morning Seminar Session A: 1. Evolution / Revolution of the Workforce 2. Progression of Cyber Risk in a Post Pandemic World 3. Pandemic Impacts on Purchasing Decisions
11:00 - 11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 - 12:30 p.m.	Morning Seminar Session B: 1. Evolution / Revolution of the Workforce 2. Progression of Cyber Risk in a Post Pandemic World 3. Pandemic Impacts on Purchasing Decisions
12:30 - 1:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:15 - 2:30 p.m.	Up Close and Personal: Senior Leadership Panel
2:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Ice Cream Social
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Afternoon Keynote Speaker: Professor Maja Sociologist & Author

 

Morning Keynote

David Kerr
Partner - Industry Solutions Consulting Practice, Deloitte Canada

David Kerr is a Partner in Deloitte Canada’s Industry Solutions Consulting practice. He is an insurance industry and technology leader with 35+ years experience in emerging technology, industry solutions, business and market development, project delivery, strategic consulting, team building and leadership.

 

Morning Seminar Sessions

Registrants will be able to choose 2 of the 3 morning sessions.

Morning Session A: Evolution / Revolution of the Workplace

We have all heard about the war for talent and the ‘great resignation’ but what does that mean for our industry? How are organizations adapting, and what are the outcomes for individuals? This session will discuss current trends in recruitment and retention, how industry employers are adapting, and the impact on the workforce. We will also discuss outcomes from the pandemic and increased focus on mental health. The session will offer tactics organizations and managers can implement to ensure their teams are thriving and propelled by the pandemic!

Moderator

Carolyn Seward
Manager Career Connections, Insurance Institute of Canada

Panel:

 

Morning Session B: Progression of Cyber Risk in a Post Pandemic World

With the reality of more threats of malware, ransomware, phishing and privacy breaches, the need for cyber insurance is greater than ever. Cyber Risk is constantly changing and evolving every day.

This session aims to bring brokers, underwriters and claims professionals together for a discussion of a real-life scenario and how it affects each area and what new situations have emerged during COVID that has created new challenges and opportunities within the cyber risk market.

You’ll leave this session with a clearer understanding of:
•  new emerging trends brought about during COVID
•  what important information to obtain from a client when writing a cyber policy
•  How to differentiate a ‘good cyber risk’
•  Solutions for overcoming cyber underwriting barriers
•  Industry strategies for addressing future cyber claims

Panel:

 

Morning Session C: Pandemic Impacts on Purchasing Decisions: What the power of data indicates about changing P&C consumer behaviour

When the pandemic began, our first priority was health, safety, and wellbeing. As the months progressed, other needs gained attention. Many people started to question whether they were living in accordance with their values, evidenced by how many changed jobs or moved across the country. In a variety of ways, the pandemic has shifted the basis upon which people make decisions, including the buying of insurance.

With these trends in mind, critical questions arise: what does this mean for insurance companies who want to retain existing policyholders, as well as find new market opportunities? As the world has become more accustomed to virtual interactions, what are the implications for consumer expectations when it comes to claims service? And for insurance professionals, how are the same trends impacting our ability to meet consumer expectations, as well as our overall job satisfaction?

Join market research and data science expert, Rob Grein from PMG Intelligence, as he takes us on the customer journey, interpreting the data as our guide. Rob will offer incredible insights into consumer decision-making, how the market is segmented based on values and priorities, as well as the likelihood of consumers switching their insurance provider. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure you are well placed to succeed in the post-pandemic industry.

Moderator

  
Steven Moro
VP Operations, HUB International

Panel:

 

Up Close and Personal: Leadership Panel

Our popular leadership session brings you into the boardroom and offers a glimpse into how organizations rose to the challenges of the pandemic, lessons learned and an outlook for the future.

Moderator

Lee-Ann Vansteenkiste
Business Development & Marketing Director HT&C Mutual Insurance

Panel:

Afternoon Keynote

Professor Maja
Sociologist, Author

Professor Maja is a sociologist, author and TEDx speaker. She is also a confidence-builder and apology-hater. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Sociology in 2014 (focusing on the sociology of women’s health), with no clear career in mind, until she attended an academic conference that completely changed the trajectory of her research, her career and her life. At that conference, she witnessed women at the pinnacle of their career deflecting praise (we call that feminine modesty) and over-apologizing for mundane issues. She immediately became obsessed with apologies. She wrote her first book "Hey Ladies, Stop Apologizing… and other career mistakes women make" in 2015, the 2nd edition came out in 2017 along with the accompanying workbook. The audiobook came out in 2018 which is a best-of compilation for both the book, the workbook and her TV appearances.

Her full-time job is on the public speaking circuit where she give talks and workshops to girls and women about all things related to confidence, communication and mindset. When she is not giving talks, she is either teaching Sociology of Health part-time at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario or conducting research.

Thank you to our sponsors

 

Event Partner

 

 

Prestige Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

       

      

    

   

 

  

 

Silver Sponsors