With an emphasis on longer and more in-depth sessions, as well as bringing together communities of those with shared interests within the industry, the finishing touches are being made on next month's ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum, running May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

The program benefited from the input of two advisory committees formed to “enhance the event and bring greater diversity and interest,” according to Beth Grossman, chief learning officer at ACORD.

The two committees–one consisting of insurance carriers, analysts and media, and the other of solution providers–met several times to exchange ideas.

“We looked to these committees to give us input and let us know the latest trends in the industry to help us formulate sessions and enhance networking opportunities for all of our attendees,” said Ms. Grossman. “We've also received ideas on ways to enhance the exhibit hall experience, bring in more attendees, and make the forum an even greater overall experience.”

Based on the committee meetings, ACORD and LOMA developed four categories of sessions for this year's forum, noted Ms. Grossman:

• Operational Efficiency
• Customer Experience
• Talent Management
• Strategic Management

“Operational Efficiency” and “Customer Experience” will focus on the technological perspectives of the industry from a business angle, according to Jim Huffman, second vice president for management solutions at LOMA. He explained that operational efficiency will represent back-office activities, while customer experience focuses on the front office.

“Talent Management” and “Strategic Management,” noted Mr. Huffman, will focus on the business side, with talent management examining issues such as virtual workers, technology tools, and the growth and development of talent.

Strategic management will also deal with larger issues, with sessions providing analysis, forecasts, best practices, business strategies, risk management and more.

“These sessions are looking at the business itself and how to do things better and more efficiently,” said Mr. Huffman. “For those looking at ways to improve their business now and in the future, we assembled a great group of sessions that will give attendees ideas and tools to make it happen.”

The forum will also include new features and special events designed to bring together communities of people within the insurance industry with shared interests.

The communities will first be by line of business, and then horizontally by roles such as architect or analyst. This will carry through the entire event.

“Birds of a Feather” roundtables, for example, will allow parties to get together and share insights and experiences, as well as to network, Ms. Grossman noted.

The forum will also build on its sessions and tour features by bringing both together. Attendees to a given session will be able to view which vendors are in the exhibit hall offering related services.

Sessions will also be longer–between 60 and 75 minutes–to allow speakers to give more detailed presentations, Mr. Huffman said.