Organisers of the Bermuda Insurance Symposium III, Solutions for Global Risk (BIS III), anticipate well over 500 individuals will descend on the Island for the major biennial insurance conference.

Among them will be about 40 panelists, a dozen moderators, dozens of delegates and media, and a high-profile guest speaker, whose identity is shrouded in secrecy.

Symposium sessions, with panels including top insurance and financial company executives, will address the latest insurance industry trends.

On the social side, BIS III features the customary golf outing, complete this year with a clinic by PGA pro Craig Stadler, as well as a cigar sampling, new to the symposium.

A spokesperson for BIS III, slated for February 18-21 at the Southampton Princess, said the mystery guest's identity will officially remain a mystery until virtually moments before he is introduced. Photo identification will be needed to attend his luncheon speech slated for Thursday, February 20.

Symposium chairman Robin Spencer-Arscott could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Delegates attending the five sessions geared around the Bermuda market will receive a Bermuda Market Certificate from the Bermuda Insurance Institute and the College of Insurance.

After golf at Riddell's Bay, the symposium's trade show, with 16 exhibitors, opens.

Premier David Saul will welcome guests at the Tuesday evening cocktail party.

Day two, opened by Mr. Spencer-Arscott, also chairman of AON Bermuda, includes panel discussions on future requirements for risk transfer and capital formation, a Bermuda market update, and views on how technology will change the industry.

During the afternoon, panels will examine insurer strength concentrating on ways to more effectively use ratings to assess financial strength.

The final first day session will, against a backdrop of corporate disaster, examine financial, regulatory, legal, risk management and public relations questions confronting the board of directors.

Back for his third symposium, Master of Wine Robin Blackburne concludes the Wednesday schedule with a wine tasting.

The Thursday schedule starts with a presentation by insurance securitisation expert Centre Financial Products Ltd. chairman and CEO Richard Sandor.

Captive insurance, the property catastrophe market and securitisation make up the bulk of day two. Also, company executives will discuss developments the Bermuda market.

Thursday night's events include a gala dinner and dance as well as the cigar sampling.

On Friday, the final day, a panel will examine Bermuda's role in the world market. Key executives with large investments in Bermuda will discuss why they do business on the Island.

BUSINESS BUC