Visitors flocked to the Bermuda booth at the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Conference yesterday - despite reduced numbers at this year's event.

Around 8,000 delegates signed up for one of the biggest gatherings on the insurance industry calendar - a fall of around a fifth compared to attendances in recent years.

But Bermuda's distinctive exhibit, based on the Island's architectural style, was still a big attraction for those who have made the trip to Orlando.

Organisers described the morning rush for the booth, well placed near the main entrance of the exhibition hall at the Orange County Convention Center, as "frantic".

"RIMS numbers are down, but the signs so far are that it's just as busy as normal here," said Roger Gillett, chairman of the Bermuda Insurance Development Council.

While rival jurisdictions also have displays, it was clear from a quick stroll around the hall at midday that Bermuda was proving easily the most attractive.

While the Cayman Islands had three visitors when this reporter popped by, neither Barbados nor the British Virgin Islands (BVI) had any. In fact, one member of the BVI booth staff had some of her documents stashed in an orange bag bearing the words: "Bermuda: The World's Risk Capital".

The Bermuda bags, as usual, were proving a bit hit with delegates.

"People are not just coming in and leaving, they're hanging around and having conversations - and that's important," Mr. Gillett said.

One hot topic was the clampdown on tax havens announced by Group of 20 (G20) leaders of the world's biggest economies at their meeting in London on April 2, and the appearance of Bermuda on a "grey list" of jurisdictions considered not to have yet implemented international tax transparency standards.

"When they ask about the G20, then we have a good answer - we have agreed the tax information sharing agreements that we need," said Mr. Gillett.

The eight tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs) signed by Finance Minister Paula Cox last week took the Island's total to 11 TIEAs. Two more have been agreed and will be signed in the coming months, which will bring the Island's total up to 13. At least 12 are needed to qualify for the "white list".

Huge investment losses, which swept the insurance industry during last year's turmoil on world financial markets, were also a subject of interest.

"While our companies have had a difficult year, everybody understands that it's because of losses on the assets side of the balance sheet, and not the liabilities side," Mr. Gillett said. "In fact, Bermuda companies are relatively stronger in the industry than they were before."

Premier Ewart Brown, who was scheduled to arrive in Orlando yesterday, will this morning go on a tour of the conference hall, accompanied by Minister Cox.

Earlier today Ms Cox, along with Ironshore chief executive officer Kevin Kelley, will be keynote speakers at "The Bermuda Breakfast" at the Rosen Centre Hotel, an event sponsored by global insurance brokerage Willis.