next event earlier in the year to make it more attractive to delegates.

Arising out of the event's post mortem, officials resolved to meet with local underwriters, brokers and captive managers in September to get their views on how the biennial event can be improved.

Heading the committee that organised the second biennial event in May, Mr.

Robin Spencer-Arscott, chairman and CEO of Rollins Hudig Hall (Bda.) Ltd., said that the delegate count was more than 20 percent higher than the inaugural event two years ago.

The symposium was not without criticism this year. One of the chief concerns was that there were too many service providers and not enough insurance buyers present for this year's event.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott conceded, "We need to get the word to more people in Europe, and embark on a more worldwide approach in general with some direct marketing. We have concentrated in the past more on the US side.

"It has been difficult to get risk managers to come maybe because it was only a month after RIMS. They have budgets to justify and they could have a problem being away from their office for such a lengthy period during the same part of the year.

"That is one reason for considering moving the date to February. We don't think the weather would be a problem. We would like to explore the possibility of changing the date from May. We think it will be better.

"It not only keeps it further away from other conferences, and also puts us earlier in the year, which could help us in terms of attendance because travel budgets may be more flexible at that point.'' The organisers sold more social passes this year, up from 40 to more than a hundred. The total attendees rose from 385 in 1993 to 471 this year, with half of them estimated to be from overseas. Of those, delegates numbered 210 two years ago, and 261 this year.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott said, "We did well financially, which means that we will have some seed money for the next symposium. We are also looking at the possibility of using the funds for the establishment of an insurance scholarship for Bermudians.'' There were other criticisms with expense not the least of concerns. The event was hosted at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel. He agreed that there may have been some surprise from some delegates at the overall cost of a visit to Bermuda.

Mr. Spencer-Arscott said, however, "We looked at a lot of conferences when we went to fix our registration fee for the symposium. Our conference compared very favourably when one considers what you get with it.

"When you registered for $925, there were two cocktail parties, two lunches, a gala dinner and tea and coffee during the morning and afternoon sessions.

There was also a continental breakfast near the exhibits. All of this was in addition to the actual sessions themselves.'' Hotel rates and other charges were separate.