ATLANTA -- Bermuda's new Premier, Pamela Gordon, had her first opportunity to visit a RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc.) Conference yesterday and by her own admission, she was surprised and impressed with Bermuda's positioning in the insurance market.

She arrived at the exhibit hall of the Georgia World Congress Center after a meeting with new RIMS president, Steve Wilder.

The Premier led a delegation of three Ministers and Cabinet Secretary, Leopold Mills, an indication of the increased mileage that government seeks to get out of the risk managers' convention.

She said: "The show is most impressive. It really shows Bermuda's significance in this market. When you look at the number of exhibit booths that are here, the number of countries that are represented, and knowing that Bermuda is so high in the world order, it bodes well for Bermuda.

"I think that we have been able to offer stability and a safe business environment that companies have been looking for. Looking at this conference, it shows. It is really impressive.'' Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills said: "It is a tremendous opportunity for the Premier to do some public relations work on behalf of the Government to let the relevant people know how much Government stands behind the work they are doing on behalf of tourism and international business.

"It is also an opportunity for the Premier to acquaint herself with the scope of the international sector, in terms of the kinds of services and products offered, and to see the extent to which Bermuda is succeeding in this very competitive market.'' Tourism Minister David Dodwell said he was confident that this year's experiment to promote Bermuda Tourism during the RIMS week was working.

"Last year I had the pleasure of seing the RIMS event for the first time and this year we are fully represented with Ministry of Tourism staff joining international insurance executives at the Bermuda booth,'' he said. "I think it is a terrific opportunity for the two groups to work together.

"We have already had two strong group leads from the insurance industry, with companies considering bringing groups to Bermuda. We have Dianne Carlson here, who is the manager of the group sales department of Tourism in our New York office. So she is able to interact with them. I am very encouraged.'' Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said: "I've heard that we have had a great amount of business at the booth and I know Tourism is delighted because all 1,500 pieces of promotional literature was handed out Tuesday. That indicates a pretty good level of interest.'' Transport Minister Wayne Furbert is in Atlanta to market Bermuda's Aircraft Registry. He said: "We thought of promoting the Registry here at RIMS because there are a lot of top executives here. We are also aware that a lot of people fly into Bermuda for insurance meetings on private planes that are not registered in Bermuda.

"We also have pamphlets being distributed at the booth that promote the registry. We have about 140 aircraft registered and any improvement would be a considerable improvement in revenue.

"Registration of each aircraft yields anywhere between $25,000 and $75,000 a year. Registration in Bermuda has benefits that include less red tape.

"I was at a conference in Florida and learned that a lot of people were impressed with Bermuda's registry. I spoke at a conference in Brussels recently and was surprised to see the trouble and requirements involved in registering aircraft in Europe.'' The Premier later hosted the gala Bermuda reception in the Skylight Atrium of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, even though the official invitations to the affair still listed David Saul as the Premier of Bermuda. Dr. Saul stepped down last month.

More RIMS coverage: Business, Page 11