2026 EDUCATION EVENTS
Including IRUA’s Reinsurance Basic Syllabus Program
(All Presented via Webinars Unless Otherwise Noted)
(Subject to Change)
WALL STREET VIEW OF THE INSURANCE/REINSURANCE INDUSTRY – FEBRUARY 25
Once again, Brian Foley of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Insurance Investment Banking Group gave an excellent and insightful annual update of the financial/ investment markets view of our industry.
CAT MODELING FOR UNDERWRITERS AND BROKERS* - MARCH 26
Ben Ames, Assistant VP, N. America Catastrophe Advisory, Guy Carpenter & Co, explained the components, acronyms and key metrics and how data drives modeling results, including different models and their output and how they can be interpreted and applied.
IRUA ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING & CONFERENCE
April 27 - 29, 2026, Delray Beach, FL
CASUALTY UNDERWRITING FOR NON-CASUALTY PROFESSIONALS* - MAY 20
James Wilson, Partner Re’s Senior VP and Senior Underwriter-Casualty, presented this topic which covered the underwriting of non-professional casualty lines; the submission requirements; underwriting process and timeline.
THE SOCIAL HOUR – LUNCH N’ AFTERNOON IN DOWNTOWN NYC - JULY 29
IRUA will be hosting a combined Lunch n ’ Learn Afternoon event at Trans Re in New York City with presentations on Social Inflation and Social Media while allowing plenty of networking time. Industry professionals will expound on each topic which are in the forefront of both underwriting and claims professionals lists of problem areas. Following the program, we will adjourn to a local hostelry for some quality networking time.
REINSURANCE ACCOUNTING FOR UNDERWRITERS & BROKERS* - AUGUST 5
U.S. Insurance and Reinsurance accounting is unique to this industry. Luke Kwiatkowski, Holborn’s Chief Financial Officer will examine the elements of the statutory NAIC Annual Statement. He will also explain the differences between SAP and GAAP methods and how facultative and treaty accounting differs and similarly proportional and non-proportional treaty business is accounted for.
CYBER UNDERWRITING UNMASKED* - SEPTEMBER (TBD)
Don Hensman, Cyber Insurance Consultant at PCS and Rahat Ahemed of Verisk will give an update on the current cyber market and products
and will explain how it has evolved and likely to evolve in the future.
ALL ABOUT REINSURANCE CONTRACTS* - OCTOBER 21
Holborn’s Senior VP & General Counsel, Mark Reynolds, and Nichole Morrison, Senior VP, will return to explain pro-rata and excess of loss contracts and the various articles which play important roles in formalizing how reinsurance agreements should operate. Key terms and conditions will be highlighted and how interpretation problems and potential disputes can be avoided by precise drafting.
U.S., BERMUDA AND WORLD REINSURANCE MARKETS* - NOVEMBER (TBD)
Experts from Acrisure Re will be presenting this topic which will detail the development of reinsurance markets and the key locations. Current developments and issues will be discussed including how markets in London, Bermuda, Europe, Asia and the USA relate to each other.
REINSURANCE CLAIMS AUDITS* - DECEMBER 9
Frank DeMento Esq., Senior VP & Claims Manager at Trans Re will provide the latest developments and what to look for in conducting claims
audits of cedants – both in-person and remote. Practical and useful issues and tips from a reinsurer’s perspective will be offered.
This is a session for both underwriters, brokers and claims professionals.
POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR 2027 INCLUDE:
**** WORKERS COMPENSATION UPDATE - Is it as profitable as it appears?
**** ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL/INSURANCE LINKED SECURITIES - Recent developments
**** THIRD-PARTY LITIGATION FUNDING - Capital inflows seriously affecting casualty claims
**** POLITICAL VIOLENCE – Now endemic and what (re)insurance options are available
**** DATA CENTERS, AI AND EMERGING RISKS – Underwriting & claims issues now and looming