Calendar

IRUA 2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Including
IRUA's Reinsurance Basic Syllabus Program
(All presented via webinar unless noted & Subject to Change)
(A/O 9/6/2026 & Subject to Change)

In 2021, the IRUA introduced a “Basic Syllabus Program” is aimed at those who have just entered or who have only a few years of experience in the industry. It is intended to be a “Reinsurance Primer Series” of twelve basic topics to be offered on a rolling 2 year cycle.
 The topics are marked with an asterisk* and are listed below in Green. 

A Certificate will be awarded to those participants who complete 10 sessions of the 12 topics listed with the same topic repeated no more than twice. You also do not need to be with an IRUA member company to participate in the Certificate program.

WALL STREET VIEW OF THE INSURANCE/REINSURANCE INDUSTRY – FEBRUARY 25
Once again, Brian Foley of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Insurance Investment Banking Group provided this 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 at Guy Carpenter 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 & UNDERWRITING & CLAIMS CONFERENCE
Opal Grand Resort & Hotel
April 27 - 29, 2026, Delray Beach FL
 New Location - Similar format as feedback was overwhelmingly positive from a record number of attendees!

CASUALTY UNDERWRITING FOR NON-CASUALTY PROFESSIONALS* -  MAY 20
James Wilson, Partner Re’s Senior VP and Senior Underwriter-Casualty, expertly presented this topic which covered the underwriting of non-professional casualty lines; the submission requirements; underwriting process and timeline.

THE SOCIAL HOUR – A LUNCH N’ LEARN IN DOWNTOWN NYC - JULY 29
Trans Re hosted a highly successful and very well attended lunch n ’afternoon learn event with presentations on” Social Inflation and Social Media” while allowing plenty of networking time. Howard Freeman and Bryan McCarthy from Trans Re provided an excellent update on the thorny problems of Social Inflation and the effects of Third-Party Litigation on claims trends.  This was followed by Kristen Kish, Partner in Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass providing an eye opening presentation on the adverse effects of Social Media and Online Gaming & Gambling with its attendant litigation and regulation pending and enacted to address these troublesome topics. Following the program a lively networking gathering was held at a local hostelry.
 A highly successful first in-person Educational event since COVID.

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 gave a thorough presentation on the nuances of the statutory NAIC Annual Statement. In addition, he explained 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. Finally, the intricacies of the loss development triangles contained within the statutory statement were expertly detailed.

CYBER UNDERWRITING UNMASKED* - SEPTEMBER 9
Don Hensman & Rahat Ahemed, Cyber Insurance Consultants at PCS, A Verisk Business, will discuss the origins and evolution of cyber insurance, from early silent cyber through to today's maturing standalone market; How cyber incidents materialize as insured losses, including common loss pathways, the anatomy of a claim, and what makes cyber structurally different from other lines. How cyber coverage has responded to loss experience, including
commonly used war exclusions and the evolution of policy language; Looking at the future: AI-enabled attacks, regulatory-driven
losses, and systemic accumulation risk will be discussed.

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 10
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 2026 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

If you have a topic that you would like the IRUA to consider hosting a webinar on, email us at Questions@irua.org