RIMS holds talks on conference as Colorado bans large meetings

The Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc. on Saturday said it is holding meetings into early next week on its plans for its 2020 conference scheduled for Denver May 3-6 after state and city authorities in Colorado clamped down on large meetings amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

In an email to RIMS members and registrants, Mary Roth, CEO of RIMS, and Laura Langone, the 2020 president of the New York-based risk management organization, said RIMS is meeting with its insurance broker Aon PLC, government agencies and others “to develop sound strategies that address all of our concerns.”

The announcement follows an indefinite ban on gatherings of more than 250 people by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday “unless there are steps taken to ensure a distance of at least six feet between smaller parties at the event.” In addition, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock closed the city’s convention center, where RIMS 2020 is due to be held, until April 12. 

The RIMS leadership meetings “are scheduled to continue into early next week and will provide greater clarity on our ultimate plan for RIMS2020,” the email said.

The email continued, “as risk professionals, it is our job to stand on the front lines of crisis, to critically assess situations and deliver solutions that support our organizations’ future.”

The annual RIMS conference and exhibition is one of the biggest global insurance-related meetings and was expected to attract about 10,000 attendees, including many from overseas.

Several insurance-related events were canceled over the past two weeks as organizers reacted to corporate travel bans and emergency measures imposed by authorities as the number of COVID-19 cases resulting from the spread of the virus escalated.

More insurance and risk management news on the coronavirus crisis here.