BURLINGTON, Vt.—After a slight dip last year, attendance is up at the Vermont Captive Insurance Assn.’s annual conference, VCIA officials say.

As of Tuesday, 1,160 people from 42 states and nine countries had registered for the 2010 conference compared with 1,077 last year.

“People are investing their time where they see value” in attending conferences, said Tim East, a director of risk management at The Walt Disney Co. in Burbank, Calif., and the VCIA’s outgoing chair.

Setting the VCIA’s annual conference apart from others is its “huge focus on education,” said VCIA Conference Chair Clare Bello, president and CEO of Vertical Claims Management L.LC. in Pittsburgh.

Captive formations are also up. As of Tuesday, the Captive Insurance Division of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration had licensed 22 captives, with a dozen to 18 applications in the pipeline, said Sandra A. Bigglestone, director of captive insurance. At this time last year, 17 captives had been licensed.

Vermont continues drawing new captives because of its top-quality reputation, said Dan Towle, director of financial services in Vermont’s Department of Economic Development.

A change in venue could be ahead for the VCIA annual conference, which for more than two decades has been held in Burlington. The VCIA is considering moving the conference to Stowe, which would give attendees a chance to see a different part of Vermont famous for its scenic beauty, Ms. Bello said.

A decision will be made this fall, said VCIA President Richard Smith.