Broker group AIMS is looking forward to seeing a record number of delegates at its Adelaide conference later this month.

GM Martin McAvenna says the organisation, which combines the members of the Austbrokers and IBNA groups, expects about 500 delegates at the Adelaide Convention Centre from April 28 to May 1.

“Last year’s conference was in Honolulu, and this year we’ll be showcasing all that’s best about Australia,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The conference theme is “partnerships”.  Mr McAvenna says the insurance process is based around partnerships between insurers, brokers and clients, but some of these are changing.

“The broker market is facing new challenges as a broader range of client relationships begin to emerge,” he said. “We want to explore the nature of our relationships and how those changes will affect brokers.”

Partnerships will also be discussed by the keynote speakers at the conference: former MP Pat Farmer, who ran from the North Pole to the South Pole; London bomb victim Gill Hicks; and sporting commentator and historian Peter Fitzsimons.

Mr McAvenna says the greater number of broker delegates attending the Adelaide event has also attracted more sponsors and exhibitors.

“Every sponsor has equal access to our members. While this year’s event has more sponsors and more brokers attending, we want to continue to maintain that ‘equal access’ treatment.”