The role for agents dealing in the workers' compensation system continues to evolve to include responsibilities such as helping clients comply with regulatory and statutory mandates, as well as aiding them in developing more proactive measures and policies to help the client get a firmer handle on WC costs. Producers looking to learn how to best serve clients in this market can attend a special session on Aug. 18 to become better versed in workers' compensation and skill up on their customers' obligations under the law.

Titled “The Agent's Role in Workers' Comp Risk Management & the Claims Process,” the breakout session is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and will be moderated by Corey Mathews, CEO/executive vice president of PIA of Florida. Panel members are Joe Carraher, senior account executive at Lutgert Insurance in Florida; Lew Kachulis, president & CEO of Synergy Comp Insurance Co. in Pennsylvania; and John McMahon, vice president of McMahon & Hadder in Florida.

Also on Monday, the “Workers' Comp Market Trends Impacting the Independent Agent” panel will provide a “state of the market” outlook on where the workers' compensation market is heading and what developing trends to be mindful of. It is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Moderator and panelist Dennis Pillsbury, executive editor of Rough Notes magazine, will be joined by Pat Borowski, senior vice president of PIA National in Washington, D.C.; and Paul Hughes, CEO of Risk Transfer in Florida.

Then on Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., Freddie July-Johnson, NCCI's experience rating manager, and Laurie Kurtz, NCCI's product manager, will discuss how risk classifications factor into the calculations of workers' compensation premiums, as well as how tools available through NCCI can help to better classify customer employees in a presentation titled “Risk Classification & Rules: Utilizing NCCI.com & Online Manuals.”

The duo also will present “Experience Modifications: Understanding, Managing, and Helpful Tools,” a session in which producers can gain a deeper understanding of how workers' compensation premiums are calculated and an appreciation of the role that claims frequency (quality of risk management and safety programs) and severity (management of medical for injured workers, return-to-work plans, etc.) have in determining how much premium is paid for workers' compensation coverage.

For the full list of breakout sessions, visit wci360.com/conference/speakers to see a complete rundown of days, times and the top-level talent to be featured.

Scott Hudson, president and CEO of Gallagher Bassett Services Inc., will be featured as the conference's keynote speaker. In his address, Hudson will discuss opportunities and challenges of today's workers' compensation market, and how the political and economic climates affectthe industry.

During the event's general session on Aug. 18, NU will bestow its Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management Award, presented in conjunction with WCI and given to three winning organizations whose accomplishments in cost control, WC risk management and effective safety practices place them well above their peers (see p. 24). The award is sponsored by Helmsman Management Services.

Additionally, as part of the conference, WCI will host its inaugural fund-raising gala dinner and silent auction in support of its adopted charity, Give Kids the World. The dinner will be held Saturday night before the conference begins at the Orlando World Center Marriott; for information on participating, check out wci360.com/conference/kids-world.

To register for WCEC 2014, go to www.wci360.com/conference/register.