The 2007 Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) is hosting its annual International Conference from March 11 to 13 at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona.

The CICA International Conference offers education sessions and networking venues that attract more than 450 captive and risk retention group professionals from the US and around the world.

CICA's conference programme features two full days of intensive education sessions and a comprehensive tradeshow where captive owners and risk managers can learn about and evaluate business solutions and ideas with service providers and domiciles. CICA's extensive programme will open with a fascinating keynote address from Helen Thomas, former White House Bureau Chief.

Well known as "the first lady of the press", Thomas broke through barriers for women reporters while covering every US president since John F. Kennedy. Her keynote address, "In the Front Row at the White House", will set the tone for two days of education and networking.

"The CICA conference is always a fantastic opportunity for me to uncover developing issues that are relevant to me and might impact my business," said Steven B. Bujarski, manager of risk financing for Carlson Companies, Inc. after attending the 2006 conference. "The connections I make at CICA help me ensure future success."

Dennis P. Harwick, CICA president, explained, "This year CICA presents a programme unrivalled in the industry; you'll hear from foremost experts on how business is evolving and the solutions that can ensure future success. You can rely on CICA to stay up-to-date and connected with your peers in the captive and risk retention group arena. The CICA International Conference is the one annual event you simply can not afford to miss."

CICA is the only domicile-neutral captive insurance association. Founded in 1972 by risk managers for their collective benefit, CICA works to provide the foremost education, networking and leadership for captive and risk retention group professionals. Through CICA's personal network focused on the common issues that concern captives and risk retention groups, members are constantly exploring new ways to broaden the use of their captives to increase flexibility in programme design, stabilise long-term program costs and increase access to both domestic and offshore reinsurance capacity.

For programme details and registration fees for the 2007 CICA International Conference, visit CICAworld.com.Contact: Dennis P. Harwick, CICA PresidentPhone: 727-374-7146dharwick[AT]CICAworld.com www.CICAworld.com>OTHER EVENB>

Please join us for the annual Property/Casualty Insurance Joint Industry Forto be held on Tuesday afternoon, January 9, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York.

The event commences at 2 p.m. with a panel discussion of outside experts featuring: Matthew Mosher, Group Vice President of Global P/C Ratings, A.M. Best; Jay Gelb, Senior Vice President and Senior Non-Life Insurance Equity Analyst, Lehman Brothers; George Dale, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Insurance; and Brian Sullivan, Editor, Risk Information, Inc.

After a networking break, our traditional CEO Panel discussion will commence at 3.30 p.m. Participants include: Martin J. Sullivan, President and CEO, American International Group, Inc.; Brian M. Storms, Chairman and CEO, Marsh, Inc.; William J. Mullaney, President, MetLife; Paula Rosput Reynolds, President and CEO, Safeco Corporation; Pierre L. Ozendo, CEO-Americas, Swiss Re and James J. Schiro, CEO, Zurich Financial Services.

Enclosed is a registration form for you to fill out and return to us via e-mail, mail or fax, which includes information on how to make a hotel room reservation at The Waldorf. Please make sure to have your registration form to us no later n Friday, December 29.

Register by emaig astirling@bec./a> or Telephone: 295-5070

Date; January 15th, 2007.

Time: 8:45am- 12:30pm

Location: BEC Training room. Reid House, 31 Church Street. Hamilton

Cost: Member:$250 Non Member $280

Seminar Leader: Liz Jones

Class size: 16 participants

E-mail is now an essential means of communication in business. It allows a much faster, easier and cheaper method of transmission. However, it is also evolving into a medium with its own style, dynamic and tone. This evolution is causing some problems because strict guidelines and standards have yet to be created. As a result, business e-mails can suffer from inappropriate content, informality and tone, as well as general sloppiness.

This half-day course is designed for business communicators who want to enhance their e-mail communication skills in order to create good on-line relationships with clients and colleagues.

Teaching Methods

Some lecturing

Interactive class participation and discussion

Overhead projector presentations

Planning and writing exercises

Handouts

E-mail samples

Exercises

Book and resource list

Content

Discussion on:

E-mail as means of transmission — the impact of its speed on content, construction and courtesy

E-mail as a communications medium — a cross between live conversation and writing

Key Purposes

Specific subject lines

Attachments

Openings and closings

Creating rapport

Tone and style — levels of formality

Flaming and shouting

The PEA system

Formatting and paragraphing

Creating enumerated and/or bulleted lists — following the rules of parallel structure

Keeping the thread

The dos and don'ts of replying, ccing, and forwarding

E-mail make-os

Checklist for effective e-mails

Liz Jones has taught English for over 25 years at the Berkley Institute, the Bermuda College and Bermuda Insurance Institute. After compiling Bermuda Recollections for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, in 1995 she left the Bermuda College to pursue her writing ambitions. Since then she has co-authored the Insiders' Guide to Bermuda, and the Moods of Bermuda. In addition, she has written numerous articles and columns for local magazines and newspapers.

Teaching continues to be an important component in her career. She has designed and facilitated Business English workshops for local companies including the Bank of Butterfield, Appleby Hunter Bailhache, Coldwell Banker and J.W. Bermuda Realty. She pays particular attention to creating an enjoyable class atmosphere conducive to active participation from the participants.