Hundreds from the insurance sector will be hearing from leading risk managers and brokers today as the World Insurance Forum kicks off in earnest.

The biennial insurance event, now happening for the sixth time, started yesterday with a WIF golf tournament and special evening presentation, ‘Bermuda Market Capabilities', from some of the leading players in the local market.

Industry sessions begin today and continue through tomorrow, with the first day's presentations focusing on the customer and tomorrow the insurer speaking to the state of the market and responding to what buyers said today. This morning, delegates - with more than 500 expected to attend the World Insurance Forum - will hear from John Sinnott, senior advisor for leading broking firm Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

Risk managers and brokers will follow with a forum where they give their views on the issues, risks and service gaps that global buyers and brokers of commercial insurance face in the current market.

In the afternoon, reinsurance brokers and buyers will have a chance to give their view of that market. On Wednesday, WIF attendees will hear from some of the biggest names in the industry - Michael Butt, chairman AXIS Capital, John Coomber, CEO Swiss Re, Michael Morrison, vice-chairman, Allied World Assurance Company (AWAC), Joe Plumeri, chairman and CEO, Willis Group and Brian O'Hara, CEO and president of XL Capital - in the morning during what is being called the ‘Leaders Forum'.

That session will look at global risk issues and the executives will also share their opinions on the state of the industry and how buyers will most likely be affected. At lunch, former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani - who was brought in by WIF organisers for the event - will speak on leadership as well as take questions specific to the insurance industry.

In the afternoon, some of the most pivotal influences on the industry - ratings analysts and financial analysts - will speak on how to effectively manage capital and meet the needs of stakeholders including shareholders, customers and regulators. The last session tomorrow afternoon will be the ‘Future of the World Market' with participants speaking to the future of the trillion-dollar-plus global market.