There is no doubt that the Insurance Conference is one of the top events for many on their calendar.
To give you the inside scoop, FAnews spoke to Thokozile Mahlangu, Chief Executive Officer at the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), about the details of the upcoming annual conference, IISA’s 2020 vision and beyond.
African Insurance Exchange
Themed the African Insurance Exchange 2018, the IISA, Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA), and the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) will be hosting the 45th Annual Insurance Conference from 29 July to 1 August 2018 at Sun City.
This theme is particularly relevant today given that the insurance industry as we know it is headed into unchartered territories, characterised by perpetual and unpredictable changes and future advanced technology that will vividly change the industry in ways unimaginable.
“This year’s conference will concentrate on the African insurance market, this includes focus areas such as market penetration, the unique challenges that insurers face when operating in this market and also ideas to take the African market to greater heights through innovation, technology, transformation, insurance skills development etc,” said Mahlangu.
“We are also anticipating to attract over 1200 delegates from across the world,” continued Mahlangu.
What to expect
Apart from the excellent networking opportunities that include the exhibition centre, golf tournament, the welcome cocktail party and farewell cocktail event, delegates can look forward to engaging with some of Africa’s greatest insurance leaders and industry experts as Africa’s renown insurance leaders and industry experts will come together to impart knowledge at the conference.
“The conference will follow a different format compared to our usual programme. There will be breakaway sessions where delegates can further delve into some of the topics of interest in the market. A few of these breakaway sessions will be focused on broker-specific topics. Interactive sessions are a new concept we are experimenting with. These sessions will offer a different platform for delegates to engage on issues in a practical manner through activities and group sessions,” said Mahlangu.
The conference encourages debate around topical issues in the insurance industry. Attendees usually benefit from an impressive presentation roster of local and international insurance experts.
At the time of publishing however, Mahlangu said, “We are still in the process of confirming speakers and we will share the details at a later stage.”
Making a sustainable contribution
In terms of vision 2020 and beyond, to provide sustainable skills development platforms within the insurance industry, “The IISA has set a five-year strategy plan which aims to revive the purpose of the institute. This is to build capacity within the insurance industry through insurance skills development and exposure into insurance as a profession, thereby mitigating skills shortages, improving opportunities for employment and social security. Thus, making a sustainable contribution to the insurance industry and the economy,” said Mahlangu.
“The new strategy will be supported by the strategic pillars: Intelligent Education, Influential Reputation, Sustainable Membership and Active Networking. In order to implement the strategy, a new vision has been adopted: to provide sustainable skills development platforms within the insurance industry,” continued Mahlangu.
“Through various industry initiatives the IISA will minimise the shortage of skills within the insurance industry, create tangible impact and transformation for the industry and our country, elevate insurance as a career, obtain international recognition for the professional designation, establish strategic partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in order to ensure improved insurance skills development in Africa,” concluded Mahlangu.
Editor’s Thoughts:
We cannot wait to see which speakers will be lined up for this year’s conference. The conference has become an important event on the insurance calendar and presents a great opportunity for the different industry players to engage around the many challenges facing the industry. FAnews will be roaming the presentations and exhibition to bring you all the latest news and we hope to see you there. Please comment below, interact with us on Twitter at @fanews_online or email me your thoughts myra@fanews.co.za
Comment on this post