BEACH parties are nothing new to Bermuda, however a beach party where young Bermudians can network with international business professionals and plan for their future is certainly something new. This Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Stone Hole Bay, Southampton, a select group of Bermudians will be attending such an event thanks to ABIR's (Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers) "Taking Care of Business" beach party.

ABIR, an organisation that represents the public policy interests of Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance companies, developed the idea for the event as a result of the success of the Taking Care of Business radio show that aired on HOTT 107.5 earlier this year.

Amy Shillingford, Director of Bermuda Communications for ACE Group and current Chairperson of ABIR's Communications and Public Outreach Committee, said the upcoming networking event is designed to help Bermudians find their place in today's modern international business world that has become Bermuda.

"The Taking Care of Business on the beach party follows in the footsteps of the Taking Care of Business radio show which was run on HOTT 107.5 on Tuesday mornings during the Thaao Dill radio show for six weeks. We highlighted different careers young Bermudians could consider within the insurance and reinsurance industry. That was really successful and we got some really good feedback from that so Rebecca Ausenda, Senior Corporate Counsel to PartnerRe and who at the time was the Chairperson of ABIR's Communications and Public Outreach Committee, developed the networking beach party to follow on the success of that radio show," she said.

Ms Ausenda further expanded on the details of ABIR's initiatives: "During the course of the six-week radio show we had a Facebook page that was running and people who had listened to the show and were interested in joining the industry could join the group.

"People posted questions about educational qualifications (on the Facebook page) and also expressed an interest in networking opportunities. We thought that was a great idea because there are going to be a lot of kids doing summer internships and we thought it would be nice if there were opportunities for them to get together.

"ABIR and this committee have done some work on creating a more successful summer internship experience and we've put together some practice guidelines for how to keep students interested and how to make the summer programme more positive for them. One of the things we decided would be good was some social activities in the form of a beach party or BBQ or something along those lines," Ms Ausenda said.

"Following on from the radio shows we thought it would be nice to invite Thaao Dill and Jamal Hartman who were very supportive of the radio show and we wanted to thank them. It's an opportunity to thank HOTT 107 and the 11 people from various companies who participated in the radio shows from our ABIR (member) companies. We wanted them to come to the party along with all the people who were interested in the show to have a chance to meet the young Bermudians that they heard talking.

"I think we are aiming to have 70 people at this invitation-only event. We are looking for people who have already expressed an interest, such as joining the Facebook group, to email our coordinator, Victoria Hayward, where they can get details how they can get an invitation. People will need the invitation and they will need their names to be on the guest list in order to attend the party.

"We are aiming towards people who want to enter the (insurance and reinsurance) industry and there is no age limit. They could already be working in a different field or they could be summer students but we expect the majority of the people that show up to be recent graduates," she continued.

Brad Kading, President and Executive Director of ABIR, said the feedback about ABIR's Taking Care of Business initiatives has been positive so far.

"The feedback we had was from high officials in the Bermuda Government. The Premier, the Deputy Premier, and the Minister of Labour all commented how the shows were important in demonstrating opportunities to young Bermudians. They also were happy that we were showcasing the talent of the people employed in Bermuda already and helping parents and children identify future career opportunities in international insurance," he said.

Ms Shillingford also said: "We also had feedback from the radio station who said they could tell from the number of calls coming in during the airing of the show that they were getting good listening numbers. Generally speaking, the community feedback that we did receive was very positive and that's something we'd like to repeat. Staff members who participated in the radio shows were very keen to emphasise that there are a number of different routes into the insurance trade. Three out ten radio participants we had did not start out in insurance, they started out doing other jobs and then having gained that experience they then moved on and applied for a job at one of the international insurance companies."

According to Ms Ausenda, there was one inspiring story in particular that really connected with listeners.

"One of the most compelling stories that came out was from Stephen Jones from Allied World who was on every radio show. He generated so much interest by telling his personal story about how he had been working for a utility company here in Bermuda and he said to himself 'there must be more to life than this' and even though he'd already been involved with a different career for a number of years he decided that he'd go back to school, get his qualifications and try to get in the insurance industry. That story has been inspirational to a lot of people. There were at least two people who appeared on the radio show who have terrific jobs in insurance who started off getting training through the Bermuda College and through the BII (Bermuda Insurance Institute) exams," she said.

"I want to encourage people to come to the event even if you haven't heard the radio show. If you're interested or are already a member of the Facebook group just email Victoria Hayward at victoria.haywardpartnerre.com and send her a copy of your resume. We do want to have some details about your interest in getting into insurance and your name will added to the list of invitees and you can collect your wristband from BFIS (Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies) on Cedar AVE. or at the door to the event the day of provided your name is on the list.

"It's a great opportunity because in Bermuda everyone thinks they know everyone but sometimes you just don't get the chance to meet people who are already working in business. For a young Bermudian I think this is a great opportunity and also it's going to be a lot of fun. There is going to be a DJ, volleyball, we've got a professional sand castle builder coming in and we will have our own sand castle building competition."

Speaking as to what the youth of Bermuda thinks about the international business opportunities available to Bermudians Ms Ausenda said: "I think that Bermuda is one of the few places in the world where insurance is regarded to the youth as quite sexy. They actually do want to come and work in the international business. They see it as a well compensated career path and they also see the opportunity to travel and to be working with intelligent and interesting colleagues. So I think in Bermuda it's a very popular career choice."