Delegation To Attend Business Forum In Miami

More than 50 senior industry representatives will join Bermuda Government and regulatory leaders taking part in next week’s Executive Forum in Miami, showcasing the island as a leading finance centre for LatAm and global business.

Organised by the Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA], the complimentary full-day event takes place Thursday, October 18 at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami.

Fifteen presentations and panel discussions will highlight investment and business opportunities available in Bermuda, while also underscoring the many synergies shared by the island and Florida, a corporate gateway to Latin America.

Experts will cover the gamut of industries that leverage Bermuda as a platform for international business—including property-casualty re/insurance, asset management, trust and private-client, high-net-worth services, family offices, life sciences, cyber risk and healthcare liability, life and annuity insurance, captive insurance, plus new fintech, insurtech, blockchain, virtual currency and digital assets industries.

Panellists and speakers at the Oct 18 Bermuda Executive Forum Miami include: [top row, from left] Premier David Burt, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, National Security Minister Wayne Caines; [middle row] Craig Swan of the BMA, Bacardi’s Doug Mello, Florida House Representative Kristin Jacobs; [bottom row] John Huff, CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers [ABIR], Kathleen Bibbings, President, Bermuda Insurance Management Association [BIMA], Glenn Jones of the BTA

Highlights include a “seaside chat” about topics of mutual interest between Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Premier David Burt which launches the event in the morning, while Bacardi executive Douglas Mello delivers the lunch-time keynote, detailing the spirits giant’s Cuban heritage and the decision to establish its global headquarters in Bermuda a half-century ago. One of the day’s industry panels will be conducted in Spanish, featuring Bermuda-based professionals of Hispanic heritage discussing Bermuda’s appeal as a centre of excellence.

“We’re thrilled to have Bacardi’s participation and that of Mayor Suarez—both underscore the firm links between our two communities,” said Sean Moran, BDA Interim CEO.

“Bermuda and Florida have established natural synergies over time. Not only does our reinsurance industry provide most of the state’s natural disaster coverage, but we also share commonalities as coastal communities pertaining to ocean access and the industries and risks associated with it.

Joining the Premier from Government will be Minister of National Security Wayne Caines, appearing on a closing panel on blockchain, and Junior Finance Minister Wayne Furbert.

Kristin Jacobs, Executive Director of Resiliency Florida and a Democratic member of Florida’s House of Representatives, will speak on a panel on climate and ocean risk; the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s Managing Director of Insurance Supervision, Craig Swan, will address ways Bermuda is innovating via insurtech; and John Huff, CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers [ABIR], will take part in a panel examining the close relationship between Florida insurers and Bermuda’s global reinsurance market.

Bacardi and the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] are partnering with the BDA on a networking reception that concludes the event. Earlier in the day, the BTA’s Glenn Jones will moderate a panel on products and lifestyle for the next generation of travellers.

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority is pleased to share this platform with the Bermuda Business Development Agency and its partners. Together, we’re adding tourism’s exciting resurgence to the dynamic conversations about business out here in Bermuda,” said BTA CEO Kevin Dallas.

“We’ll focus our discussions around Bermuda’s landscape of luxury experiences, which have improved impressively over the past few years, and are well positioned for further enhancements, particularly as relates to hotel properties and superyacht legislation.”

“This is the third cross-sector event produced by the BDA. Previous forums in London in 2017 and New York this spring each drew impressive turnouts of between 250 and 300 executives who heard panel discussions by Bermuda’s top industry and regulatory leaders detailing the island’s advantages to onshore communities and businesses,” the BDA said.

Other participating groups and companies in the Miami forum include: AIG, Allied World, Apex Fund Services, Appleby, Arch Capital, Athene Life, AXA XL, AXIS Capital, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences [BIOS], Bermuda Shipping & Maritime Authority [BSMA], Bermuda Yacht Services, Butterfield Bank, Carey Olsen Bermuda, Chubb, Conyers, Dana Philanthropy, Deloitte, DrumG, EFG Wealth Management, EY, Hamilton Princess, Harbour International Trust, Hotelco Bermuda Holdings/St Regis, Integro Insurance Brokers, KPMG, Markel CATCo, Marsh, Meritus Trust, Norton Rose Fulbright, Omega One, Paragon Brokers, PwC, Quest Management Services, Risk Cooperative, SeaHeal, Shyft Network, The Nature Conservancy, Uulala, and Willis Towers Watson.

“We’re very proud of the impressive ‘Team Bermuda’ who’ll take part in this event with us,” noted Moran. “We have a strong delegation from a broad range of industries and are looking forward to their contributions.

“Included are timely topics such as our island’s unique positioning in respect to superyachts, for example, as well as blockchain and ICOs. We intend for delegates to leave the event fully understanding that Bermuda is open for business.”

For agenda details or to register for the October 18 Bermuda Executive Forum in Miami, contact the BDA at info@bda.bm or go here.