The joint Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) and National Insurance Brokers Association Melbourne expo later this month will feature a record 72 underwriter exhibitors, organisers say.

The event, on May 27 at Crown Towers, opens with a breakfast seminar for young professionals, followed by an industry lunch.

“There is no reason why we shouldn’t be expecting about 300 brokers,” UAC GM William Legge told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says the high level of interest is indicative of the current market. “Brokers have a very difficult job at the moment.

“They have to satisfy the representation in the media that the market is slipping. There are expectations on both sides, and brokers are stuck between a rock and a hard place.”