ATLANTA -- Corporate Bermuda is taking a increasing interest in the annual RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society) conference, one of the largest gatherings or risk managers and insurance managers.

A large delegation of Bermuda insurance and service professionals are this week welcoming a record number of Bermuda Government delegates at the 35th annual RIMS conference in Atlanta.

Apart from the usual presence of insurance regulators, a number of tourism officials will be seen in the exhibit hall this week.

Chairman of Aon Bermuda, Robin Spencer-Arscott, said: "The conference will probably be bigger this year and the Bermuda contingent seems to be larger with more Bermuda companies taking an interest.'' Registrar of Companies Kynm Astwood said yesterday, while observing a flurry of requests for information at the Bermuda booth at the Georgia World Congress Center, that he was besieged by those seeking information on how to establish Bermuda companies.

He said: "In a very short period of time, the first half day of the conference, I've seen a number of people interested in forming vehicles in Bermuda. That's very encouraging.'' The Tourism Department is hosting its own reception Thursday evening at the Ritz Carleton Hotel. After years of getting marketing mileage out of name association, the department is establishing a real presence at the insurance convention as a higher profile marketing initiative.

At least eight Bermuda tourism representatives are expected to be in Atlanta this week, including Garth Pedro, tourism's southeast regional manager.

He and his team of six are available at the Bermuda Booth to answer a number of questions about Bermuda as a visitor destination.

Also present this year is Dianne Carlson, the manager of tourism's group department, based in New York.

"We recognise that this market segment involves affluent travellers,'' Ms Carlson said.

"It's an opportunity to convince people not only to come to Bermuda for a vacation but to have meetings and conferences in Bermuda, which are tax deductible for US companies.'' Asked why it took tourism so long to realise the Island's marketing potential, she responded: "I guess communication to some degree and understanding what RIMS is all about. Our minister is very much behind it.'' Tourism officials will be making presentations during a Bermuda tourism reception Thursday evening about the opportunities for the corporate group market, group meetings, association meetings and incentive trips.

Tourism is providing $20,000 toward the cost of Bermuda's marketing effort in Atlanta, which includes a contribution to an annual Wednesday evening reception hosted by Government for clients and potential clients of Bermuda.

But insurers, reinsurers, brokers and service professionals in Bermuda have their executives in Atlanta this week in large numbers as an opportunity to see existing clients and seek new ones.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott said: "We work very hard with our retail system, as do all our peers.

"The retail brokers are the main production source of business into the Island. The captive managers are there to work with them to provide the services for Bermuda captives. It's an ongoing thing to build the client base we have in Bermuda.

"This year for us, and I dare say for Johnson & Higgins and for Marsh & McLennan, is a time to be able to get together with our new partners during the conference.

"It will be very important for us to get together with A&A, and I would think Marsh & McLennan would want to do the same thing with their new partners.'' Aon merged with A&A (Alexander & Alexander) while Marsh & McLennan merged with J&H building two of the largest insurance brokerage houses.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott said: "In Bermuda you have to take the market as a whole and not just as it relates to captives.

"We were lucky to have giants like ACE and EXEL start on the Island, as well as their colleagues.

"But also the reinsurance market has just blossomed since 1992 and with that four or five billion dollars in capital.

"And it is interesting what people are doing from Bermuda, for example, Mid Ocean buying into Lloyd's and PartnerRe just announcing the purchase of the French company (SAFR).

"That bodes well for our market and it is what has been keeping us head and shoulders above other offshore domiciles.'' With the Department of Tourism and the insurance market collaborating on initiatives of mutual benefit, officials see other opportunities.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott said: "BIBA (Bermuda International Business Association) is sponsoring a breakfast meeting in Atlanta during RIMS. That is good. But it has been suggested that when we are doing something like this in a gateway city we should find ways to get the tourism message out as well.

"We can collaborate on plans and cut costs by using the same rooms that we may book for an insurance event to also accommodate another event for tourism.'' BUSINESS BUC