The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) annual convention has been postponed by more than four months to February 7-21 next year as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all battle COVID by restricting social gatherings and movement across borders.

NIBA CEO Dallas Booth says recent COVID outbreaks suggest face-to-face events may not be possible during September and October when the convention was originally scheduled.

“This uncertainty is likely to be reduced in the new year as the community reaches higher levels of vaccination and, as such, travel and events will hopefully become more feasible,” Mr Booth said.

A February convention gives NIBA members, sponsors, and exhibitors the best opportunity to enjoy connecting face-to-face while still maximising the online virtual component of the event, he says, and delegates will still have the option of attending four days virtually and a day face-to-face, or all five days virtually.

Following are the new convention details:

February 7, Adelaide Convention Centre

1pm | State of the Industry –NIBA President Dianne Phelan

1:30pm | ICA project of availability and affordability of insurance – Ms Phelan and John Trowbridge

2pm | 2022 General Insurance Remuneration Review – Ms Phelan and Mr Booth

2:30pm | Introducing technology to streamline claims – Paul Sedgwick

2:45pm | DDO and technology to keep up with regulatory burden

3pm | Exhibition hall open

5pm | Cocktails in the exhibition hall

February 8, Crown Melbourne

1pm | Future of Financial Services regulation – Rhys Bollen, Senior Executive Leader, Insurers, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

1:15pm | Meet the Regulators: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – Dr Bollen

1:30pm | Meet the Regulators: Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) – Emma Curtis, Lead Ombudsman Insurance

1:45pm | Meet the Regulators: Insurance Broker Code Compliance Committee (IBCCC) – Michael Gill, Chairperson

2pm | Working practices post COVID-19 – Mark Carter, Presenter l Author l Trainer l Coach l Igniting Human Potential

2:30pm | Working practices post COVID-19

3pm | Exhibition hall open

5pm | Cocktails in the exhibition hall

February 14, Crown Perth

1pm | Guest speaker – Dr Fiona Wood

2pm | Insurance brokers and workers compensation system

2:30pm | COVID-19 related Business Interruption claims and test cases – Adam Squire, Head of Claims, Gallagher and Ken Wise, Managing Principal, Marsh

3pm | Exhibition hall open

5pm | Cocktails in the exhibition hall

February 16, Sofitel Brisbane Central

1pm | Storms, floods, fires: insurance for weather-related incidents | on the nature and trends on major risks from an insurance perspective – Ryan Crompton, MD, Risk Frontiers

1:30 pm | Storms, floods, fires: insurance for weather-related incidents | on mitigation and resilience measures for domestic, strata, and SME – David Henderson, Chief Engineer, Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University

2pm | Storms, floods, fires: insurance for weather-related incidents

2:20pm | Northern Australia Cyclone reinsurance pool: a perspective from insurers

2:40pm | Northern Australia Cyclone reinsurance pool: a perspective from brokers

3pm | Exhibition hall open

5pm | Cocktails in the exhibition hall

February 21, International Convention Centre Sydney

1pm | NIBA National Award Ceremony

2pm | Closing Keynote – Chris Boucousis

2.45pm | Convention Close – Mr Booth

3pm | Exhibition hall open including 1 hour of drinks

7pm | NIBA Gala Dinner

Register here.