1,500 meet at IRMI

SAN DIEGO—About 1,500 risk managers, brokers, attorneys and insurers specializing in the construction industry attended the 26th annual International Risk Management Institute Inc.'s Construction Risk Conference in San Diego Oct. 9-12.

The conference featured a full-day seminar, a general session and 27 workshops covering a variety of topics from analyzing construction defect claims, to safeguarding construction equipment, to navigating merger and acquisition risks.

Joe Plumeri, chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings Ltd. in New York, and Luther P. Cochrane, chairman and CEO of BE&K Building Group Inc. in Charlotte, N.C., were the keynote speakers for the general session.

Alan J. Ruben, chief financial officer of California roofing contractor DRI Cos., was awarded the Gary E. Bird Horizon Award, which is presented annually by IRMI to recognize a demonstrated commitment to improving construction risk management through the implementation of innovative, cost-effective and efficient risk management techniques. Mr. Ruben received the award for completely restructuring the loss prevention and control techniques and processes pertaining to DRI Cos.' workers compensation program.

The 27th IRMI Construction Risk Conference will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2007, in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit www.irmi.com or contact IRMI in Dallas at 972-960-7693.