Christopher Gardner, the author of "The Pursuit of Happyness", topped the bill for the opening meeting of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) 2008 conference in San Diego on Monday.

Mr. Gardner told delegates his life story, which the book and box office film hit is based on, at the general session held at the city's convention centre.

Attendees, including 68 US RIMS chapters, 10 Canadian chapters and others from Mexico and Japan, were treated to an impressive artistic display by the Freeman Creative Group and a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner from the Chula Vista High School Show Choir.

This was followed by speeches from RIMS president Janice Ochenkowski and executive director Mary Roth and the San Diego RIMS chapter.

During her presentation, Ms Ochenkowski recognised the RIMS 2007-08 committee members, the board of directors and former presidents, as well as those working behind the scenes such as the conference programming committee, exhibit advisory committee and the 11 groups of member volunteers.

She also acknowledged the 10,000 risk professionals convening at the event over the five days, with 900 of those present for the first time, and 439 exhibitors on show at the conference.

"This speaks volumes for the relevance of RIMS," she said. "This conference is going to bring a new way to think and talk about risk."

Ms Roth then gave an update on the work RIMS has been doing, ranging from the Society's Enterprise Risk Management for Dummies book to the relaunch of its website and its first ever cyber conference and Expo.

"A risk manager extends far beyond someone with a corporate management title," she said. "We are leading the way for our discipline and our voice is being heard."

Mr. Gardner took centre stage for the main event, talking about how he faced and overcame serious personal risks of trying to raise his son and make a career for himself at the same time as being homeless, and succeeding and getting to the top.